Hunger Strike: Happy Ending or Health Crisis?
During a hunger strike, meal trays should be offered at each meal and a food and water log should be kept.
When a hunger striker begins eating again, their body’s electrolytes can shift and cause refeeding syndrome. Refeeding syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition affecting someone’s heart and blood sugar, and can change how their body processes glucose, protein, fat, potassium, and magnesium¹. This can happen as early as five days into a hunger strike. When a hunger strike ends, custody staff should work closely with the medical team to make sure refeeding is done appropriately.
Do NOT let the detainee eat too much too fast
When a hunger strike ends, medical staff should be notified to evaluate the detainee for signs of malnourishment and collaborate on a plan to reintroduce food. The practitioner should decide what kind of food and how often to eat based on the patient’s condition and recovery progress. It is strongly recommended to NOT allow detainees a free-for-all to eat or drink when ending their hunger strike. If a detainee is housed in the general population and it is difficult to assess intake due to access to other food, partner with medical to evaluate if medical observation housing is appropriate. Do NOT let the detainee eat too much too fast when they end a hunger strike.
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Mehanna, H. M., Moledina, J., & Travis, J. (2008). Refeeding syndrome: What it is, and how to prevent and treat it. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 336(7659), 1495–1498. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.a301
Disclaimer
All materials have been prepared for general information purposes only. The information presented should be treated as guidelines, not rules. The information presented is not intended to establish a standard of medical care and is not a substitute for common sense. The information presented is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current, and is subject to change without notice. Each situation should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. WHEN IN DOUBT, SEND THEM OUT. ®