Question

karen has struggled with an eating disorder for the past 5 years, during which she has used caloric restriction and excessive exercise to maintain her body weight. for the past year, karen has managed her weight with laxatives. karen uses a laxative every day, usually of the stimulant variety. lately, karen feels as if her abdomen is always distended and she does not feel she completes a bowel movement. what condition may karen be experiencing?

Answer 1

Answer: Cathartic colon

Step-by-step explanation:

Chronic use of stimulatory laxatives can lead to cathartic colon. In this condition, the colon undergoes anatomical and physiological changes in response to the laxative use. The colon may become atonic, making fecal evacuation difficult.