Starvation ketosis can lead to metabolic acidosis, organ damage, and brain swelling, potentially resulting in death. Treatment requires careful nutritional support and reconstruction of the recovery diet. Symptoms include fatigue, impaired coordination, and cognitive decline. Treatment involves constant monitoring and careful stabilization of acid-base balance and glucose supply.
The most serious possible complication of starvation ketosis is a state called metabolic acidosis, in which the pH level of the blood drops to a dangerous level. This can lead to a cascading series of problems, potentially leading to death if the problems are not addressed. Patients can also experience complications associated with poor diet and nutrient deprivation which can exacerbate the situation. Treatment of starvation ketosis requires careful nutritional support of the patient and reconstruction of the recovery diet.
When people stop eating, for whatever reason, their bodies turn to stored energy sources for fuel. Specifically, the liver starts burning fat, creating ketones as a byproduct. In the early stages of ketosis, patients may notice a fruity smell on their breath, indicating increased levels of ketones, which the body is trying to eliminate through the lungs. As ketosis progresses, the blood can start to turn acidic.
Organ damage may occur because the body is used to operating with a stable acid-base balance. Also, the brain can start to swell, which can lead to coma. If the patient does not receive treatment, these complications can lead to death as organs shut down and the patient loses brain function. Patients may also experience long-term health problems after surviving starvation ketosis, such as impaired liver and kidney function or brain damage, if they haven’t received treatment soon enough.
When patients starve, they may notice side effects such as fatigue, extreme cold, blurred thinking, and impaired coordination. These are all complications of ketosis, related to the body’s decision to burn fat stores for energy. As the condition affects the brain, cognitive function may decline and the patient may experience difficulty with even basic tasks, ranging from understanding conversation to walking steadily. Eventually, the patient will lose consciousness and slip into a coma, indicating the development of serious complications.
In cases where starvation ketosis is suspected because of the patient’s history or known circumstances, a medical team can develop a plan to treat it. Patients cannot simply receive large volumes of food or intravenous drops of nutrients all at once, because these too could cause complications. Instead, they typically need constant monitoring and careful treatment to stabilize acid-base balance, supply the body with glucose for energy, and address issues such as organ damage. Once the patient is stable, medical providers can determine if further interventions and treatments are needed; for example, a child with the condition may need to be removed from an unsafe home.
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