8. Weight Loss: The Silent Erosion of Form
Weight loss, particularly in prolonged cases, weaves its way into the intussusception narrative as a silent, yet persistent actor. For children, this could present as a failure to gain weight appropriately, a stagnation, or regression of growth that whispers of the malabsorption occurring within.
For adults, a subtle, perhaps initially unremarkable, reduction in weight may glide under the radar, masquerading as the byproduct of stress or lifestyle. However, in the context of additional symptoms, it assumes a greater, more sinister significance.
Weight loss, while evidently impactful in its own right, also carries the burden of secondary consequences, impacting nutritional status, immune function, and overall vitality, each element further complicating the intussusception scenario. (8)
