Regurgitation is the spitting up of food from the esophagus or stomach without nausea or forceful contractions of the abdominal muscles.

A ring-shaped muscle (sphincter) between the stomach and esophagus normally helps prevent regurgitation. Regurgitation of sour or bitter-tasting material can result from acid coming up from the stomach. Regurgitation of tasteless fluid containing mucus or undigested food can result from a narrowing (stricture) or ablockage of the esophagus. The blockage may result from acid damage to the esophagus, ingestion of caustic substances, cancer of the esophagus, or abnormal nerve control that interferes with coordination between the esophagus and its sphincter at the opening to the stomach.

Regurgitation sometimes occurs with no apparent physical cause. Suchregurgitation is called rumination. In rumination, small amounts of food are regurgitated from the stomach, usually 15 to 30 minutes after eating. The material often passes all the way to the mouth where a person may chew it again and reswallow it. Rumination occurs without pain or difficulty in swallowing. Rumination is common among infants. In adults, rumination most often occurs among people who have emotional disorders, especially during periods of stress.

Last full review/revision October 2012 by Norton J. Greenberger, MD