nervo-, nerv-, nervi-

Instead of having an obsessive desire to lose weight, sufferers from orthorexia apparently have an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating.

In their search for dietary purity, they may become so restrictive about what they eat that they become as dangerously thin as an anorexic; for example, they may over do the avoidance of fatty foods, those with preservatives, and those with salt or sugar; to such a degree that there are very few choices available.

Source of the term orthorexia nervosa

The word, and the identification of the condition, is attributed to a Colorado specialist, Dr. Steven Bratman, who published a book on the subject. He coined orthorexia in 1997 (based on the pattern of anorexia) which comes from Greek orthos, "correct" or "right" plus orexis, "appetite". The word is beginning to appear in the United States and Britain, largely as a result of his book.

Most often, orthorexia is merely a source of psychological distress, not a physical danger. However, emaciation is common among followers of certain health food diets; such as, "raw foodism", and this can at times reach the extremes seen in anorexia nervosa.

Such "anorexic orthorexia" is just as dangerous as anorexia; however, the underlying motivation is quite different. While an anorexic wants to lose weight, an orthorexic wants to feel pure, healthy and natural. Eating disorder specialists may fail to understand this distinction, leading to a disconnect between orthorexic and physician.

The part of the involuntary nervous system which serves to slow the heart rate, increase intestinal and glandular activity, and to relax the sphincter muscles.

The parasympathetic nervous system, together with the sympathetic nervous system, constitutes the autonomic nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system which regulates key involuntary functions of the body, including the activity of the heart muscle; the smooth muscles, including the muscles of the intestinal tract; and the glands.

With veins disposed like parts of a feather.

In physiology, the use of muscles around the joints, where the motor centers are connected in pairs in such a way that when one is excited the motor center of the corresponding antagonist is inhibited.

1. The largest nerve in the body, which begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord in the low back (sacrum) and extends through the buttock area, sending nerve endings down through the legs and knees.
2. The largest nerve in the body, arising from the sacral plexus on either side, passing from the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, and down the back of the thigh, where it divides into the tibial and peroneal nerves.

The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve, a cutaneous nerve supplying the skin of the buttocks, perineum (region of the abdomen surrounding the urogenital and anal openings), popliteal region (area behind the knee joint), and the back of the thigh and the leg.

A nerve formed by branches of the sacral plexus which supplies muscles in the gluteal region.

The sacral plexus is a network of motor and sensory nerves originating from the nerves of the sacral spine and innervating large areas of the lower trunk and legs; especially, via the sciatic nerves which extend through the muscles of the thigh, legs, and feet, with numerous branches.

1. A sympathetic nerve or the sympathetic nervous system is a set or series of interconnected or interdependent parts of entities, objects, organs, or organisms that function together in a common purpose or produce results impossible of achievement by one of them acting or operating alone.
2. A part of the nervous system which serves to accelerate the heart rate, to constrict blood vessels, and to raise blood pressure.

The sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system are parts of the autonomic nervous system.

1. A portable electronic device designed to relieve chronic pain by sending electrical impulses through electrodes covering the afflicted area on the body.
2. A method of pain control with the application of electric impulses to the nerve endings.

This is done through electrodes which are placed on the skin and attached to a stimulator with flexible wires.

The electric impulses which are generated are similar to those of the body; however, they are different enough to block the transmission of pain signals to the brain making this procedure noninvasive and nonaddictive, and with no known side effects.

The fourth cranial nerve, innervating the superior oblique muscles of the eyes.

A nerve that supplies nerve fibers to the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), lungs, heart, esophagus (passage from the mouth to the stomach), and the intestinal tract; as far as the transverse part of the colon: The vagus nerve emerges from the medulla oblongata (part of the brain stem) and it is classified as a cranial nerve because it comes from that brain stem.

The vagus nerve transmits sensory information back to the brain from major organs in the body; including the ears, the tongue, the pharynx, the larynx, and much of the digestive system.

A complete interruption of the vagus nerve causes a condition in which the voice is hoarse and nasal, and the vocal cord on the affected side is immobile; resulting in difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) and speaking (dysphonia).

The vagus nerve also stimulates the production of stomach acid and pancreatic juice; stimulates the activity of the gallbladder, and increases the rhythmic muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Blood vessels supplying the nerves.