Is your stomach rumbling frequently? Is your rumbling stomach making you worked up? Are those growling noises from the stomach causing social embarrassment? Do you want to know if these noises are normal? This blog will answer all these questions and educate you about these noises and how to avoid them.
What is Borborygmi?
The noises coming from the stomach or abdomen are called borborygmi in medical terminology. These noises are produced when foods, water, and gases move through the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine because of continuous muscular movements in the digestive system, called peristalsis.
Are these noises normal?
These noises produced by pushing digestive contents forward are entirely normal and can be seen in everyone.
When do these noises become a problem?
These noises can become problematic if you notice them more frequently, become increasingly loud, and interfere with your work and social life.
What are the common causes of abnormal stomach noises?
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - IBS is a stress-related gut disorder not usually diagnosed by tests. It is generally triggered by anxiety, depression, or poor sleep. This condition could cause abnormal noises in the digestive system.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - It involves inflammatory processes affecting the large intestine, causing swelling, redness, and ulcers. It causes symptoms of excessive gas, abdominal pain, frequent diarrhoea, bloody stools, and weight loss.
- Food intolerances - Lactose intolerance (intolerance to milk and dairy products) or gluten intolerance (intolerance to the gluten in wheat and other grain products), and other food allergies can also increase the noise in the digestive system.
- Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) - Our large intestines contain higher levels of bacteria in the gut. SIBO involves the backflow of bacteria from the large intestine into the small intestine, causing excessive bacterial growth. It can produce many symptoms, including a noisy abdomen and excessive gas.
- Gassy foods - Consuming gas-producing foods like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lentils, rajma, and dairy products can also produce increased noises and gas in the abdomen.
- Blockage in the intestine - A genuine blockage or narrowing of the intestine blocking or slowing the movement of digestive contents causes loud abdominal sounds.
How to reduce excessive noises coming from the stomach?
- Avoid hunger - Although being hungry does not cause these noises, eating food on time could reduce the chances of rumbling noises in the stomach. Having food helps calm down the muscular movements in the intestine and mask the noises coming from them.
- Chew food properly - Chewing food properly and eating slowly causes the food to mix with saliva properly and digest well. On the other hand, eating quickly and talking while eating can make people gulp more air into the digestive system causing more noises.
- Reduce gassy foods - Reduce intake of gas-producing foods like lentils, rajma, brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and fruits with high amounts of sugar.
- Cut out carbonated drinks - Sodas and colas can release carbon dioxide gas in the digestive system and increase noises while moving along the digestive system.
- Reduce sugar and sorbitol - Cut out sugars and artificially-sweetened foods and drinks, as they contain sorbitol that contributes to the excess noises from the abdomen.
- Regular walks - Taking regular walks or a 5- to 10-minute walk after eating could improve digestion and reduce loud noises coming from the stomach.
- Drink adequate water - Water is important for the proper digestion of food. Drinking at least 3 litres of water a day is essential.
When should you consult a specialist?
Consult a medical gastroenterologist if the excessive noises coming from the stomach are associated with the following:
- Altered bowel habits like persistent diarrhoea or constipation
- Frequent abdominal pain
- Visible distention in the abdomen
- Changes in general health
- Persistent and increasingly loud noises despite lifestyle changes.
Takeaway points
The noise from the stomach or abdomen is due to the movement of foods, water, and gases through the digestive system because of continuous muscular movements. They are entirely normal.
However, some lifestyle and dietary habits or digestive disorders can cause excessive noise, interfering with everyday life. Some lifestyle changes can reduce these noises. Excessive noises accompanied by other symptoms need urgent medical care.
How can Bangalore Gastro Centre help?
The team of top gastroenterologists at Bangalore Gastro Centre in HSR Layout will help you determine the underlying causes for excessive noise coming digestive system. The facility can also perform physiology studies, gastroscopy, endoscopy, and colonoscopy tests.
The gastro doctors also collaborate with nutritionists to help you change your diet to remove the foods triggering the noise.
