Do I Have Rumination Disorder?

Do you repeatedly regurgitate (e.g., re-chew, re-swallow, spit out) food over a period of at least 1 month?

Can you confirm that the repeated regurgitation is not attributable to an associated gastrointestinal or other medical condition (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux, pyloric stenosis)?

Can you confirm that the eating disturbance is not caused by anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder?

it is unlikely that you have rumination disorder.

While it is unlikely that you have rumination disorder, you are displaying some signs related to it. Rumination disorder is characterized by repeatedly spitting up undigested food. The food is then re-chewed and finally re-swallowed or spit out. The regurgitation happens unintentionally. When the condition remains untreated, it can damage the tube between mouth and stomach. Besides, it can cause weight loss, dental erosion and social isolation. If you are concerned about your symptoms or you would like to receive more information about the disorder, it may be important to plan a visit to your doctor.

Unfortunately, you are displaying symptoms typically seen among individuals who have rumination disorder. Seek medical support whenever you can. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. He will make some observations of your behavior, and he may conduct examinations. A commonly used treatment for people without developmental abilities is habit reversal behavior therapy. This therapy helps to breathe in and out when rumination occurs, using the abdominal muscles. Then there is biofeedback that will help you to learn diaphragmatic breathing to prevent regurgitation. Sometimes medication is used to treat rumination disorder, but this is only used when the esophagus is damaged.