Regurgitation happens when a mixture of gastric juices and undigested food rises back up the esophagus and into the mouth. If you have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you might experience it.

In adults, the most common cause of regurgitation is acid reflux or GERD. You might also get chest pain and a bitter taste in your mouth.

Sometimes, it’s also a symptom of a rare condition called rumination syndrome. This causes frequent regurgitation of undigested food, usually right after eating a meal.

Read on to learn more about regurgitation in acid reflux and how to manage it.

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When acid reflux happens multiple times per week, it’s known as GERD. Both acid reflux and GERD commonly cause regurgitation of stomach acid or food.

Acid reflux is a condition characterized by reflux, heartburn, and bad breath. Common triggers include:

  • eating large meals
  • eating certain foods
  • lying down soon after eating

In babies

Regurgitation is common in infants and babies. But some babies experience frequent regurgitation.

When other symptoms don’t accompany this regurgitation, it’s known as functional infant regurgitation. This condition causes frequent regurgitation more than once per day during the first year of life.

GERD can also affect infants, although not as commonly as it affects adults. Due to the short length of the esophagus, infants with GERD are more likely to experience regurgitation instead of just reflux.

Rumination syndrome

Rumination syndrome is a rare condition that causes frequent regurgitation of undigested food after eating. While doctors don’t fully understand what causes it, risk factors include stress and mental health conditions.

Rumination syndrome is uncommon, so unless there’s constant regurgitation, the regurgitation is more likely due to acid reflux or GERD.

In most cases, regurgitation is a symptom of acid reflux and GERD. Other symptoms to look out for include:

  • heartburn or chest pain
  • a bitter or sour taste at the back of the throat
  • difficulty swallowing
  • feeling a lump in the throat

When regurgitation happens frequently without these other symptoms, rumination syndrome may cause it. Additional symptoms of this include:

  • fullness in the belly
  • bad breath
  • nausea
  • weight loss

Babies

Infants and children have small esophaguses, so acid reflux is more common. It usually goes away on its own as they grow.

Usually, no other symptoms accompany this condition outside of the regurgitation. However, if the regurgitation is a symptom of GERD, it may be include:

  • trouble swallowing food and liquids, which can cause gagging or choking
  • irritability, back arching, or avoidance during eating
  • frequent cough and pneumonia

If you notice your infant is having other symptoms, it may be an indicator of a more serious condition. Watch out for:

  • blood or bile in the regurgitation
  • problems feeding
  • excessive crying
  • problems breathing

Acid reflux is generally a temporary condition that doesn’t require a formal diagnosis. However, because GERD requires long-term dietary and lifestyle management, your doctor may want to perform some diagnostic tests.

To diagnose rumination syndrome, your doctor may first rule out the possibility of other conditions, such as GERD. Additional testing may be necessary, including an EGD test and gastric emptying test.

If you’re experiencing regurgitation caused by your GERD or acid reflux, you may want to try medication.

You can take over-the-counter (OTC) antacids for mild symptoms. Still, if these aren’t helping, you might want to speak with a doctor about prescription options like H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors.

Currently, no medications used to treat rumination syndrome are available. Instead, treatment relies on lifestyle changes.

Similarly, there aren’t any medications specifically used for regurgitation in infants. Your pediatrician might recommend the same medications used in adults, just in smaller doses.

Making lifestyle changes can help ease your symptoms, too. You can try:

  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption, if applicable
  • eating smaller meals and chewing thoroughly
  • propping your head up with extra pillows at bedtime
  • quitting smoking, if applicable

For infants with frequent regurgitation, making changes during feeding can help. You can try changes like:

  • feeding your baby in a quiet, undisturbed location when possible
  • thickening the formula or milk with cereal
  • avoiding overfeeding

Regurgitation happens when digestive fluids and undigested food rise from the esophagus into the mouth.

In adults, involuntary regurgitation is a symptom of conditions such as acid reflux, GERD, and rumination syndrome. In infants, frequent regurgitation is a common symptom of functional infant regurgitation and GERD.

A doctor can use a variety of tests to diagnose the cause of your frequent regurgitation.

Medications and lifestyle changes are the first line of defense in decreasing your regurgitation and improving your quality of life.