Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

45
biliary sludge
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bilirubin
A yellow-orange compound that is pro-
duced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red
blood cells.
binaural
Relating to both ears. While hearing
aids may be binaural (in both ears) or monaural
(in just one ear), binaural aids are generally con-
sidered to be superior. Synonymous with stereo-
phonic.
binge drinking
The dangerous practice of con-
suming large quantities of alcoholic beverages in a
single session. Binge drinking carries a serious risk
of harm, including alcohol poisoning. See also
alcohol poisoning.
binge eating disorder
An eating disorder char-
acterized by periods of extreme overeating, but not
followed by purging behaviors, as in bulimia. Binge
eating disorder can occur alone or in association
with abnormality of the brain’s hypothalamus gland,
Prader-Willi disorder, or other medical conditions.
It can contribute to high blood pressure, weight
gain, diabetes, and heart disease. Treatment may
include therapy, dietary education and advice, and
medication.
binocular vision
The ability to maintain visual
focus on an object with both eyes, creating a single
visual image. Lack of binocular vision is normal in
infants. Adults without binocular vision experience
distortions in depth perception and visual measure-
ment of distance.
bio-
Prefix indicating living plants or creatures,
as in biology (the study of living organisms).
biofeedback
A method of treatment that uses a
monitor to measure patients’ physiologic informa-
tion of which they are normally unaware. By watch-
ing a monitor, patients can learn by trial and error to
adjust their thinking and other mental processes in
order to control “involuntary” bodily processes such
as blood pressure, temperature, gastrointestinal
functioning, and brain wave activity. Biofeedback is
now used to treat a wide variety of conditions and
diseases, including stress, alcohol and other addic-
tions, sleep disorders, epilepsy, respiratory prob-
lems, fecal and urinary incontinence, muscle
spasms, partial paralysis, muscle dysfunction
caused by injury, migraine headaches, hyperten-
sion, and a variety of blood vessel conditions,
including Raynaud’s phenomenon.
bioflavinoid
An antioxidant compound that is
found in various plants and is available in supple-
ment form. Once known as vitamin P.