Rumination Disorder

Sarah Xu
Dec 11, 2025
2 min read

Rumination disorder is a condition that often goes unnoticed but can have significant effects on a person's health and well-being. It involves the repeated regurgitation of food, which may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. This behavior is not due to a medical problem like acid reflux but is a distinct disorder that requires attention and care.

What Is Rumination Disorder?

Rumination disorder is characterized by the effortless regurgitation of recently eaten food. Unlike vomiting, this process is usually voluntary or semi-voluntary and does not involve nausea or retching. The regurgitated food may be swallowed again or expelled. This disorder can affect people of all ages but is most commonly seen in infants, young children, and individuals with developmental disabilities.

The exact cause of rumination disorder is not fully understood. It may develop as a learned behavior or as a response to stress or discomfort. In some cases, it can be linked to psychological factors such as anxiety or trauma.

Signs and Symptoms

Recognizing rumination disorder early is important to prevent complications. Common signs include:

Frequent regurgitation of food within 30 minutes of eating
Lack of nausea or distress during regurgitation
Weight loss or poor weight gain in children
Bad breath or dental problems due to stomach acid exposure
Social withdrawal or embarrassment related to the behavior

Parents and caregivers should watch for these signs, especially if a child shows repeated regurgitation without other medical causes.

How Rumination Disorder Affects Health

If left untreated, rumination disorder can lead to several health issues:

Malnutrition due to loss of nutrients
Dehydration if fluids are also regurgitated
Damage to teeth from stomach acid
Skin irritation around the mouth
Social and emotional difficulties from embarrassment or isolation

These complications highlight the need for early diagnosis and management.

Treatment Options

Treatment for rumination disorder focuses on behavior modification and addressing any underlying psychological issues. Some effective approaches include:

Behavioral therapy: Techniques such as habit reversal training help individuals become aware of and change the regurgitation behavior.
Nutritional support: Working with dietitians to ensure adequate nutrition and hydration.
Psychological counseling: Addressing anxiety, stress, or trauma that may contribute to the disorder.
Medical evaluation: Ruling out other conditions and monitoring for complications.

In many cases, a combination of these treatments leads to improvement.