What makes bowel sounds

Borborygmi occurs as a result of digestion. The digestive process is a noisy one that involves muscle contractions, gas formation, and movement of food and liquids through up to 30 feet of intestines. People typically hear rumbling or gurgling as food exits the stomach and enters the small intestine.

This is due to the small intestine using peristalsis, or muscle contractions, to move the food along. As the food leaves the small intestine, it passes into the large intestine, or bowel.

Gurgling noises may continue as the bowel absorbs water and nutrients and continues to push the food along. The bowel also produces gas bubbles, which can create a rumbling sound as they make their way through the digestive tract. Borborygmi is a natural side effect of the complex digestive process. It may produce the following sounds:. All of these variations can be normal if a person feels fine and does not have other symptoms, such as abdominal pain. Intestinal sounds are usually a sign of normal, healthy digestion.

As such, a person cannot avoid them altogether. However, if a person is bothered by the sound of their intestines, they can take steps to quieten the digestive process. This article outlines some examples below.

Certain foods and drinks can increase intestinal gas and associated borborygmi in some people. People should try to identify any foods that trigger noisy digestion and avoid those foods where possible. Some common culprits include:. Some herbs have a soothing effect on the muscles of the digestive tract. As such, they may help to quiet the gut.

Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; chap Acute abdomen. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. Goldman-Cecil Medicine.

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Reviewed by: Linda J. Editorial team. Abdominal sounds Bowel sounds. Considerations Abdominal sounds bowel sounds are made by the movement of the intestines as they push food through.

Abdominal sounds are always evaluated together with symptoms such as: Gas Nausea Presence or absence of bowel movements Vomiting If bowel sounds are hypoactive or hyperactive and there are other abnormal symptoms, you should continue to follow-up with your provider. Very high-pitched bowel sounds may be a sign of early bowel obstruction. Causes Most of the sounds you hear in your stomach and intestines are due to normal digestion. The following is a list of more serious conditions that can cause abnormal bowel sounds.

If there is a bigger quantity of gas than of liquid passing through the digestive system, this will also lead to stomach noises.

In these cases it is also normal to have other symptoms, such as pain and discomfort, malaise, nausea or diarrhea. Bowel obstruction can also lead to stomach noises because, when it is hard for liquid and gas to pass through the gastrointestinal tract, the intestines increase the number of peristaltic movements to aid the passage of those liquids and gases. This increases stomach gurgling. Bowel obstruction is a very serious condition that can be caused by worms, intestinal endometriosis, inflammatory diseases or hernias.

People with chronic stomach growling should discuss the possibility of a food intolerance with their doctor. Stomach growling and other noises may become more noticeable after eating big meals, particularly meals rich in fats, sugars, red meats, and other foods that may be hard to digest.

Eating smaller portions at more regular intervals, along with thoroughly chewing food during meals, reduces the risk of overeating. Going for a walk after meals has been proven to aid the digestive process by speeding up the rate at which the stomach empties.

This faster emptying can reduce stomach rumbling. A post-meal walk can also benefit digestion in other ways. Research indicates that a minute walk 15 minutes after eating lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, high-intensity activities should be avoided immediately after eating. Stomach growling can be more apparent during certain stressful situations, such as job interviews, presentations, and tests.

This is because gut activity increases during periods of anxiety , regardless of whether the stomach is full or empty. Being stressed is also known to slow down digestion and contribute to symptoms of indigestion, including heartburn and stomach noises.

People can reduce levels of anxiety and stress by meditating, practicing deep breathing exercises, and using progressive muscle relaxation techniques. More serious underlying disease processes, such as infection or intestinal blockage, are possible causes of borborygmi. Hence, if stomach rumbling is bothersome and associated with others signs or symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. IBS can also frequently be at the root of stomach growling and addressing this underlying condition may be the only way to reduce these sounds.

Though normal, stomach growling can be tempered by taking certain steps that include eating regularly, avoiding problematic foods, and managing anxiety. It is important to see a doctor if stomach growling is a regular occurrence, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, as this can be a sign of a gastrointestinal infection or a more serious condition. Many people experience hunger pangs also called hunger pains even when they do not need food.

The gnawing sensation and contractions in the stomach….