This is another of the conditions that are part of the group of eating disorders (ED). What is it and is there a cure? An expert explains.
If we talk about eating disorders, most people will surely say that they know them and will probably mention anorexia or bulimia as examples of these conditions.
This is positive, because it means that people recognize these disorders, which means that they can identify them and, if necessary, help the people who experience them to receive care in time; However, these are not the only eating disorders that exist, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) there are a total of eight nutrition-related problems that can be diagnosed.
One of these is rumination disorder and in this article we are going to tell you a little more about its characteristics, so that you know it and can identify it.
How is it related to food? Find out.
What is rumination disorder?
According to the American Eating Disorders Association, rumination disorder is characterized by the behavior of regularly regurgitating food that is consumed for a period of at least one month. More simply, this means that the person returns what he has eaten and usually does not seem to be making any effort to do so. Furthermore, he does not look stressed, uncomfortable or upset after this behavior. After doing so, you can spit out or eat the food again.
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What can cause rumination disorder?
Unfortunately, the exact causes of this disorder are not known. Research indicates that some people who experience it, They present significant emotional problems and/or go through situations that are very stressful; However, a cause and effect relationship between these factors is not evident.
What was identified from the research is the physical explanation that generates this response. Apparently, toWhen the food reaches the stomach it expands and there is an increase in pressure in the abdomen, but this is accompanied by a relaxation of the muscle that joins the esophagus to the stomach, which leads to the food returning automatically.
What is the difference between this disorder and ?
The main difference is that in the bulimia person eat regularly and vomit silk, then, in an induced manner as a behavior that compensates for having eaten, while in eating disorder rumination food is regurgitated without the need for the person to make any effort for this.
What signs can indicate that the person is ruminating?
Below we leave some signs that we can pay attention to:
- Regurgitate and re-chew food regularly.
- Digestive problems, such as indigestion and stomach pains.
- Dental problems, such as bad breath and cavities.
- Weightloss.
- Chapped lips.
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How is this disorder treated?
The first thing to do is a physical check-up of the person with the aim of identifying and managing any condition of the gastric system that may be causing this regurgitation reflex.
After this, it is carried out exercises such as breathing and identifying signs and habits so that the person can better manage the regurgitation reflex. Usually, they are taught to recognize the signs and situations where this is likely to occur and use diaphragmatic breathing after eating and, thus, prevent the food from returning.
Over time, people with this condition learn to avoid the habit of rumination and replace it with deep breathing techniques.