What is regurgitation?

What Does regurgitation Mean

Regurgitation is the process and result of spitting up . This verb refers to expelling different substances that were lodged in the stomach or esophagus through the mouth , without the need to vomit or make an effort.

In humans , spitting up is normal in babies. This is due to several reasons: the gastroesophageal sphincter is not well fixed yet in the upper stomach region, the stomach fills up too quickly, or the baby “swallows” air. That is why it is common for children up to approximately seven months to regurgitate the milk they ingest through both their mouths and their noses.
It is important to note that spitting up does not cause discomfort to the baby or pose a danger to him; Furthermore, it cannot cause suffocation if it occurs while you are lying down. So much so that the real problem is as superficial as the fact that he dirties his own clothes or that of his mother, which is why it is normal to put a small towel near his mouth after each feeding.

During the first weeks of life, children usually regurgitate after each intake, in a period that does not exceed one hour. However, when they begin to sit, which occurs at approximately six months, the frequency of this phenomenon decreases markedly and, finally, disappears once they reach the year, or even a couple of months before.
Although regurgitation is normal in newborn children, in some cases it occurs too frequently, which can lead to medical intervention and the application of certain products. However, before modifying your diet, it is often recommended to practice some of the various techniques devised to minimize regurgitation, some of which are listed below:
* feed them before they get too hungry;

* avoid all kinds of distractions, violent noises and interruptions during shots;

* In the case of using a bottle, provoke several burps during each feeding, in periods of approximately five minutes. This should not be practiced if they are breastfeeding and have good posture , as they do not swallow air;

* prevent them from lying down while feeding;

* if children let go of the bottle or breast, it is not advisable to insist, as this usually indicates that they have ingested enough and regurgitation is likely to take place to expel the excess;

*When using a bottle it is important to choose a suitable nipple, whose hole has a moderate diameter, so that the milk does not flow excessively. To test the quality of the nipple, simply place the bottle turned vertically and make sure that no jet comes out, but drops;

* avoid games after shots;

* ensure that the crib is slightly inclined, with the end of the head higher than the feet, to avoid regurgitation while sleeping.

In adults, on the other hand, regurgitation reveals a health disorder . The phenomenon may be due to increased pressure in the abdomen, a hiatal hernia or the development of achalasia, for example.
The animals , meanwhile, appealed to regurgitation for various reasons. Species like the penguin regurgitate some of their food to feed their young. In this way, the young receive the food already digested directly in their beaks.
The vultures , the owls and other bird species are responsible for regurgitate the bones, hair and other parts of their prey that fail to digest. What they expel through regurgitation is known as pellets , a kind of ball formed by these expelled substances.