bulimia

bulimia definition - medical

bu·li·mi·a (bo͞o-lēˈmē-ə, -lĭmˈē-ə, byo͞o-)

noun
A chronic eating disorder involving repeated and secretive episodes of eating, characterized by uncontrolled rapid ingestion of large quantities of food over a short period of time, followed by self-induced vomiting, purging, and anorexia and accompanied by feelings of guilt, depression, or self-disgust. Also called bulimia nervosa, hyperorexia.

Related Forms:

  • bu·limˈic adjective & n.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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