Weight Loss
Type: Symptom
Definition
A severe, involuntary loss of body mass, colloquially known as wasting syndrome.
Clinical Details
The chronic state of hyper-inflammation dramatically increases the body's resting metabolic rate, forcing it to burn more calories. Concurrently, chronic diarrhea and severe gastrointestinal malabsorption prevent the body from extracting nutrients from consumed food. This results in extreme, life-threatening emaciation and profound muscle atrophy.