Rumination Syndrome

Rumination syndrome is a functional condition characterized by the effortless, habitual regurgitation of recently ingested food back into the mouth. Unlike vomiting, which is forceful and preceded by nausea, rumination usually happens within minutes of finishing a meal and feels like a natural, involuntary reflex. The regurgitated food can be either re-chewed and swallowed again or spat out. For many years, this was thought to be primarily a pediatric or psychological condition, but it is now recognized in adults of all ages and is often misdiagnosed as GERD or gastroparesis.

The underlying mechanism involves an involuntary but learned contraction of the abdominal wall muscles, which increases pressure in the stomach and forces food upward. Because it is a behavioral reflex, the most effective treatment is not medication, but diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing). By learning to breathe deeply using the diaphragm immediately after eating, patients can physically prevent the abdominal contractions that trigger the regurgitation. Education and behavioral retraining are the cornerstones of therapy, helping patients regain control over their digestive process without the need for invasive procedures.