Stomach Gurgling

Although in most cases, stomach gurgling is not a cause for worry, it certainly puts a person in an awkward situation. How? Well, just imagine a person is giving a very important PowerPoint presentation of a project in front of his colleagues and seniors. Now if the person starts experiencing frequent episodes of stomach gurgling (borborygmus) at short intervals, won't it be embarrassing for him. Or even worse, stomach growling in the middle of the night, Will it not disturb the sleep of other members of the family? Believe it or not, stomach gurgling is an audible sound that can wake up a person. No wonder it is also referred as stomach noise.

Causes

Hunger: Skipping lunch or breakfast in the name of diet often results in stomach growling. In other words, stomach gurgling noises at intermittent periods indicate that the person is hungry. In many instances, stomach gurgling is accompanied by unbearable hunger pains that subside only after consuming sufficient amount of food. When a person is hungry (more than 2 hours), the brain senses it and responds by stimulating muscle contraction.

Nervousness: Nervousness is a psychological state of mind that is the result of anxious or uneasy feelings. Surprisingly, stomach gurgling has been linked to nervousness. People overwhelmed with anxiety become extremely nervous, which often results in stomach gurgling. In order to control anxiety and stress, an easy option would be to practice yoga and meditation techniques.

Carbonated Drinks: Drinking carbonated beverages can also cause the stomach to rumble or growl. Also, some people have a bad habit of having their lunch or dinner very fast. They chew the food a few number of times and then just gulp it down. This improper way of eating food or drinking water quickly can trigger stomach gurgling.

Stomach Gurgling and Bloating

In some cases, bouts of stomach gurgling occur frequently even when the stomach is full. When the stomach growls excessively and is followed by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and severe stomach cramps, it could be the onset of a gastrointestinal disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome. However, in this case, the sound is distinctly visible to the person experiencing it as well as those near him. IBS, in which the intestines are not working in a correct manner, typically cause abdominal discomfort, bloating and alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea. Stomach gurgling associated with IBS can be quite annoying as it is excessively loud and may attract negative attention. Excessive grumbling in the stomach for a long period can also be a symptom of upset stomach.

GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be yet another reason behind these weird noises. In this condition, stomach acids (that promote digestion) spill into the food pipe causing chest pain and growls and gurgles from the stomach. Consuming too much food or one can say a large meal prompts the stomach to release excess acid. This increases the risk of back flow of stomach acid to the food pipe and subsequent stomach grumbling noise. Opting for 5-6 small meals throughout the day is the best way to prevent GERD symptoms.

Stomach Gurgling After Eating

An empty stomach is not the only reason why gurgling sounds are heard inside the stomach. Even after having lunch, one may hear these weird sound. As we all know, digestion takes place mostly in the intestines. It involves the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and minerals into smaller molecules for easier processing. This churning of food is a normal routine for the digestive system and can also produce gurgling sound in the stomach. It is discussed in detail below:

Muscle Contractions: The gurgling sound is due to the contraction of the muscles of the stomach and the small intestine. Muscle contraction is necessary to push the ingested food forward. So, the gurgling noise occurs when the muscles contract, which acts as a force to move the food. While, in most cases this gurgling sound cannot be heard, it might be audible occasionally. The stomach being a muscular organ, it does contract as needed to move its contents. Also, once the ingested food enters the stomach, it remains there for about two hours. During this period, various digestive juices and the contents of the food combine to initiate the process of digestion. All this cannot be done without contracting the different muscular layers of the stomach wall. This contraction of the stomach wall in turn produces this gurgling sound, which is quite normal and there is nothing concerning about it. To be honest, gurgling sound (whether audible or not audible) after meals is an integral part of digestion and certainly does not require medical assistance. So, if you hear this unusual sound from your belly after lunch or dinner, don't worry, as it indicates that your digestive system is doing its job correctly.

Excess gas in the stomach due to overeating can also cause this belly noise. On the whole, tummy grumbling post meals is harmless and not an issue to be worried about. Sudden unexpected grumbling from the stomach can be slightly embarrassing, especially while socializing, but that should not be the reason for an appointment with a doctor. However, constant stomach gurgling cannot be overlooked and necessary medical advice is important. Having meals at regular intervals, going for healthy foods, exercising regularly, and avoiding the intake of beverages such as alcohol in excess amounts, can surely help to prevent stomach gurgling in the long run.