Here’s what you need to know about Rumination Disorder
Rumination Disorder is one of the eating disorders that is described as a repetitive, habitual bringing up of food that might be partly digested.
It is not associated with nausea or disgust and is usually happening effortlessly and painlessly. This can affect people at any age. The person having this condition may re-chew and re-swallow the food or just spit it out but they can’t control this. It is associated with retching.
If this condition is not treated, it can result in malnutrition, weight loss, dental erosions, and electrolyte disturbances. It can also cause damage to the tube between the mouth and stomach, called the esophagus.
Based on the article in Mayo Clinic, here are the symptoms of this eating disorder:
- Effortless regurgitation, typically within minutes of eating.
- Belly pain or pressure relieved by regurgitation.
- A feeling of fullness.
- Nausea.
- Losing weight without trying.
The cause of rumination disorder is unclear. However, it appeared to be caused by an increase in abdominal pressure. It is often mistaken as bulimia nervosa, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and gastroparesis. This condition is more likely to occur in people with anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric disorders.
In some cases, it is linked to a rectal evacuation disorder which is a rectal evacuation issue involving pelvic floor muscles that don’t work together correctly, which leads to ongoing constipation.
For the longest time, this condition has been known to be present in infants and people with developmental disabilities. However, it is now known that it can happen in children, teens, and adults. It is advised to immediately consult a doctor once symptoms exist. Treatments might include behavioral therapy, which usually involves teaching people to breathe from the diaphragm or medicine.
Here are the complications that could happen:
- Unhealthy weight loss.
- Malnutrition.
- Worn teeth.
- Bad breath.
- Embarrassment.
- Social isolation.