Bulimia, also known as bulimia nervosa, is a serious eating disorder that can be potentially life-threatening. People with bulimia may secretly binge eat, consuming large amounts of food with a loss of control over the eating, and then purge, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. To get rid of calories and prevent weight gain, people with bulimia may use different methods such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas, fasting, strict dieting, or excessive exercise. Bulimia can be characterized by uncontrolled episodes of overeating, called bingeing, followed by purging with methods such as vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas, or other medicines that clear the intestines. People with bulimia are often at a normal weight, but they may see themselves as being overweight. Symptoms of bulimia include eating binges that may occur as often as several times a day for many months, eating large amounts of high-calorie foods, usually in secret, feeling a lack of control over the eating, and purging to prevent weight gain. Bulimia can be dangerous and may lead to serious health problems over time, such as erosion of tooth enamel, dental cavities and discolored teeth, tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food, gum infections, stomach ulcers, ruptures of the stomach, and others. Effective treatment can help people with bulimia feel better about themselves, adopt healthier eating patterns, and reverse serious complications.