Bulimia Nervosa - Glossary

Vomiting: The ejection of contents of the stomach through the mouth; or, the material itself.

Laxatives: A drug that stimulates bowel movements.

Syndrome: A group of symptoms that characterise a specific condition. A set of signs or a series of events occurring together that makes up a disease or health problem.

Depression: Mental state of low mood commonly associated with feelings of sadness, emptiness, despair or loss of interest in life or worldly matters.

Obese: Obesity occurs when a person has too much body fat. Obesity is not the same as being overweight; a person is considered obese when they weigh 20% or more of the maximum desirable weight for their height.

Binge Eating: A Condition that involves eating a large amount of food within a short period of time. Seen commonly in Bulimia Nervosa.

Inflammation: A response of redness, swelling, pain, and a feeling of heat in certain areas, which is meant to protect tissues, affected by injury or disease.

Heartburn: Pain due to regurgitation (reflux) of juices from the stomach into the oesophagus; pyrosis.

Hirsuitism: Presence of excessive hair on the body or the face.

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Psychotherapy: The therapy that involves the patient talking about their mental and emotional disorders to a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed counsellor for treatment.

Hormonal: Effects particularly caused by hormones.

Infertility: The inability to produce children.

Scalp: Skin over the head on which the hair grows.

Diuretic: A substance or drug that causes increased passing of urine.