Rumination Disorder
Repeated regurgitation of food after eating that isn’t caused by another medical condition.
What it is
Rumination Disorder involves repeatedly, effortlessly bringing up food after eating — then re-chewing, re-swallowing, or spitting it out — without the nausea or retching typically involved in vomiting. It’s not caused by a GI condition, and it’s not the same as bulimia’s self-induced vomiting, which is a deliberate compensatory act.
Signs & symptoms
Behavioral
- Repeated, effortless regurgitation shortly after eating
- Re-chewing, re-swallowing, or spitting out food
- Occurs without apparent nausea or disgust
- Not associated with an identifiable medical cause
Causes & risk factors
Can occur at any age. It’s most documented in infants and in people with intellectual disabilities, but it’s increasingly recognized in people of any age and cognitive profile, and is sometimes linked to stress or anxiety.
Treatment
A medical evaluation to rule out a physical cause typically comes first. Behavioral treatment (often diaphragmatic breathing techniques used at the moments regurgitation tends to occur) is the most common next step. See our full guide to levels of care for what treatment can look like.
When to seek help
Worth a medical evaluation if it’s persistent, since ruling out a physical cause is the first step regardless of what’s ultimately behind it.