Rumination Syndrome

Rumination syndrome (also known as rumination disorder or merycism) is a feeding and eating disorder in which undigested food comes back up from a person’s stomach into his or her mouth (regurgitation). Once the food is back in the mouth, the person may chew it and swallow it again, or spit it out. This behavior usually occurs after every meal, and may appear effortless. Rumination may follow a sensation of burping/belching and typically does not involve nausea or retching. In rumination, the regurgitated food does not tend to taste sour or bitter because it has not had time to fully mix with stomach acid and be digested.

This act of regurgitation is a reflex action that can be a learned and intentional act or can be unintentional. People who have rumination syndrome are not regurgitating food because of a stomach illness or because they feel sick.

Who gets rumination syndrome?

Rumination syndrome has been long known to occur in babies and in people with developmental disabilities, but can occur in people of all ages. Children and adults with high levels of stress or anxiety may be at higher risk for rumination syndrome.