How much impact does the hunger strike have on which parts of the body? Understand from 4 weeks records

Sonam Wangchuk’s weight has decreased by more than 8 kg in 20 days.

Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar continues on Friday. This is the 20th day of his hunger strike. Doctors say that their risk of organ failure has increased after the continuous strike. Delhi government was instructed to conduct his daily medical tests. His weight has decreased by more than 8 kg in 20 days.

From the scientific point of view, the effect of physical starvation on the body occurs in three stages, which are related to each other. The body tries to remain active at every stage, but the effects of the changes become visible. Know the effects of hunger strike on the body.

What effect does a hunger strike have on the body?

Within 48 hours after stopping food, the body uses glycogen stored in the liver to maintain stable blood sugar levels. This process is called glycogenolysis and it is a short-term solution. Glycogen gets depleted in just 24 to 48 hours. After this the body starts breaking down fat for energy. This is the stage from where the real impact of the hunger strike begins.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every adult needs different amounts of energy depending on age, gender and physical activity. This energy is necessary for breathing, digesting food and maintaining body temperature, but when its level falls, the situation worsens.

First week (1-7 days): Weakness and lack of energy

In the first week, the body creates energy by using reserve fat, but in this process the person starts feeling problems like weakness, fatigue and dizziness. The feeling of hunger is strongest in the initial days, but after the third-fourth day the body gradually starts adjusting to this situation.

During this time, blood sugar level starts falling, due to which headache and irritability can also increase. If the person is drinking only water, then the body tolerates this stage normally, but if water is also not being consumed then the situation starts becoming serious within a week.

Second week (8-14 days): visible effect on muscles

By the second week, fat reserves also start decreasing, after which the body starts breaking down muscles for energy. Due to this, physical weakness increases and it becomes difficult to do even small daily tasks. During this time, the balance of essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium in the body starts deteriorating, which can have a direct impact on the heartbeat.

Blood pressure starts falling, due to which the risk of fainting or dizziness increases. According to doctors, medical examination becomes very important at this stage, because heart related problems can appear suddenly.

Im Not in good shape but not so bad either… Rather than asking me to break my fast please join me on 20th July… Peaceful March to the Parliament.#cockroachjanataparty #jantarmantar #cjpprotest #chalosansad pic.twitter.com/QZ6VyxVMAR

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 15, 2026

Third week (15-19 days): Direct pressure on organs

The situation becomes more critical in the third week. The body now starts producing energy by breaking down its own tissues and muscles rapidly, which leads to a huge decline in weight. At this stage, there is direct pressure on vital organs like liver and kidney, because the body’s ability to expel toxins becomes weak. The immune system that fights diseases becomes weak, due to which the risk of infection increases manifold. According to doctors, during this time it becomes necessary to remain under constant supervision of the medical team, so that any emergency can be dealt with immediately.

Fourth week and beyond: The situation can be fatal

If the hunger strike continues beyond three weeks, the risk of organ failure seriously increases. The heartbeat may become irregular, and due to lack of proper energy reaching the brain, confusion or unconsciousness may also occur. This is the reason why a team of doctors keeps an hourly eye on the health of people involved in long hunger strikes.

The danger is many times greater if water is released

According to experts, the entire process largely depends on whether the person is giving up only solid food or not even taking water. If a person is dependent only on water, the body can endure this condition for weeks. But if the water is also stopped, there is a risk of organ failure within a few days and the situation can be fatal. On the other hand, if things like juice, coconut water or ORS are taken during a hunger strike, then due to the little energy and electrolytes they provide, the situation is not as serious as it is if one depends only on water.

hunger strike limit

Experts say, the limit of hunger strike depends on whether the person is drinking water or not, his age, health, weight and whether he is getting medical care or not.Healthline’s report says that the body can survive for a maximum of a week without food and water. If only water is available and there is no food, life can extend by 2 to 3 months. If people keep drinking water, many people can survive for 30 to 70 days or more, but during this time the body starts getting damaged.

Is everyone affected the same?

Experts say that the effect of hunger strike is not the same on every person. It depends on many factors like age, pre-existing diseases, body composition, water and electrolytes and medical monitoring. This is the reason why a person’s condition may become serious within a week, while someone else’s condition may remain somewhat stable even after three weeks.

As the hunger strike continues, the danger to the body also increases. This is why doctors’ advice and constant medical monitoring are considered extremely important during long hunger strikes.

Also read: How does the Ice Stupa work to prevent water crisis in Ladakh? For which Sonam Wangchuk made headlines