The noises in your stomach are the sound of peristalsis which pushes your food down your small bowel and into your colon
Many times, you would notice your stomach making noises—a bit embarrassing when you are in public. According to doctors, it is nothing alarming but a symphony of normal digestion and hunger.
Experts say the noises in your stomach are the sound of peristalsis—also known as smooth muscles contracting and pushing your food down your small bowel and into your colon. Medically known as borborygmus, it generally happens when food, liquid, and air pass through the digestive tract, and gurgling is a combination of those factors.
However, many times your stomach would also growl when you are hungry. The rate and force of peristalsis also increase after your stomach and small intestines have been empty for more than two hours. In the latter case, receptors in the walls of the stomach sense the absence of food, leading to a reflex generation of waves of electrical activity in the enteric nervous system. These MMCs travel along the stomach and small intestines and lead to hunger contractions. According to experts, it happens because your brain gives a signal to your stomach to release an appetite-stimulating hormone known as ghrelin that tells your intestines and stomach to contract.
The rumbling you hear is the movement of those organs. Stress can cause your stomach to gurgle, whether or not you’ve just eaten.
Symptoms to watch out for
If your stomach growls occasionally around lunchtime, it may be a sign that your digestive system is working as it should. However, frequent experiences along with a few other signs can also be an indication of a medical issue. These symptoms may include:
- High-pitched stomach sounds
- Excessive gas
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloody stools
- Heartburn
- Unintentional and sudden weight loss
- Feeling of fullness
In a few cases, these abdominal sounds are also accompanied by symptoms that indicate the following conditions:
- Paralytic ileus - a problem with the nerves connected to the intestines
- Blocked blood vessels that are preventing the intestines from getting proper blood flow
- Bowel obstruction, which can be due to a hernia or a tumour
When can stomach growling be an emergency?
Stomach growling can be an emergency condition if you have the following symptoms:
- Bloody stools
- Vomiting
- High fever
- Severe abdominal pain
Receiving fluids intravenously and allowing the intestinal system to rest may be enough to treat the problem. However, according to experts, you may also need surgery if you have a serious infection or injury to your intestines or if they are completely blocked.
How can you stop the frequent growling of the stomach?
While an occasional stomach growling would not need any treatment, a few diet and lifestyle changes can help subside the issue. You can take the following steps:
- Limiting your intake of gas-producing foods
-
Eat smaller meals
- Stay hydrated
- Eat your food and chew slowly
- Do not drink from a straw
- Go for a walk after eating
Make sure to avoid foods that can trigger digestive issues—especially if you have underlying problems like lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, and histamine allergy. If you are living with a health condition like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you may need medication to help treat the underlying cause and provide symptom relief.
