This condition may make people regurgitate undigested food, rechew it, and reswallow or spit it out

According to Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali, "This often occurs right after every meal, but it tastes normal and is not acidic, like vomit, because it hasn't yet been digested."

By: Lifestyle Desk

New Delhi | April 12, 2023 07:00 PM IST

4 min read

Rumination often occurs right after every meal, but it tastes normal and is not acidic like vomit because it hasn't yet been digested. (Source: Freepik)

Rumination syndrome is a rare behavioural problem, which can affect both children and adults. According to Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali, “It is a disorder where people repeatedly and unintentionally vomit partially or completely digested food from the stomach, rechew it and then either re-swallow it or spit it out.” Rumination often occurs right after every meal, but it tastes normal and is not acidic, like vomit, because it hasn’t yet been digested.

Additionally, Kajal Aggarwal, Dietician & Clinical Nutritionist said, “Patients may also experience abdominal pain or pressure relieved by regurgitation, a feeling of fullness, bad breath, and unintentional weight loss. In some cases, stomach pain and dental erosion may occur. Symptoms can be debilitating and may lead to malnutrition and social isolation.”

What are the signs and symptoms of rumination syndrome?

While the exact causes of this condition are not yet fully understood, there are several factors that may contribute to its development. (Source: Freepik)

Dr Kapoor noted that this digestive disorder primarily affects infants and young children but can also occur in adolescents and adults. Some symptoms may include:

*Repeated regurgitation of undigested or partially digested food within minutes of eating
*Difficulty swallowing or feeling as though food is stuck in the throat
*Nausea or vomiting
*Bad breath or a sour taste in the mouth
*Weight loss or poor weight gain in infants and children
*Fatigue or weakness

While the exact causes of this condition are not yet fully understood, there are several factors that may contribute to its development, which include:

Underlying digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastroparesis as well as certain medications can affect digestive function. (Source: Freepik)

“One of the main causes of rumination syndrome is thought to be a dysfunction of the muscle between the stomach and the small intestine known as the pyloric sphincter. This muscle normally contracts to prevent food from moving back into the stomach once it has entered the small intestine. Another factor is malfunction in the nervous system,” said Dr Kapoor, adding that psychological factors may also play a role in the development of rumination syndrome.

The expert shared that research suggests that stress, anxiety and other emotional factors may trigger or exacerbate symptoms of the condition. Other than that, underlying digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastroparesis as well as certain medications can affect digestive function.

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Adding to this, Aggarwal said, “In some cases, rumination syndrome can be linked to a rectal evacuation disorder, which causes chronic constipation due to poor coordination of pelvic floor muscles.”

ALSO READ | ‘Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices’: Why many people share a complicated relationship with food

Treatment

Dr Kapoor advises to consult a doctor if you suspect you may have rumination syndrome. “They can perform tests and make a diagnosis as well as help develop a treatment plan.”

She noted that behavioural therapy can be an effective treatment as it focuses on changing the behaviour that leads to the condition, such as your eating habits and how you respond to stress. Medications, dietary changes and relaxation techniques can also help manage the disorder.

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“Other treatment methods can also include diaphragmatic breathing exercises, which can help to relax the muscles of the diaphragm and reduce the urge to regurgitate, and patients may be advised to change their posture during and after meals, such as sitting up straight or leaning forward to reduce pressure on the stomach,” said Aggarwal.

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