Rumination disorder is a lesser known eating disorder but is a serious condition that can worsen over time and can lead to severe health implications if left untreated.
According to the DSM-5 criteria, a person with rumination disorder will repeatedly regurgitate their food effortlessly and painlessly for more than a month. This regurgitation isn’t forcefully expelled from the mouth as it is in vomiting and is not the result of a medical condition such as a gastrointestinal condition. Rumination occurs when food that is swallowed but not yet digested is regurgitated and may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spat out.
Rumination disorder is known to affect children as well as individuals with developmental disabilities. However, the disorder can occur in infants, children, adolescents and adults from all walks of life.