Stomach gurgling is the name given to the sounds that emanate from your midsection. These noises are a normal part of human physiology, though they often feel embarrassing in quiet settings. The sounds originate not just from the stomach, but from the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the small and large intestines. Medically, these audible events are known as borborygmi, and they signal activity within your digestive system.
The Physical Mechanism of the Sound
The rumbling noise is a direct result of the body’s process for moving contents through the gut. This movement is powered by a series of involuntary, wave-like muscle contractions called peristalsis. Peristalsis acts to squeeze and propel ingested food, liquids, and digestive juices along the digestive tract.
Borborygmi occur when pockets of gas and fluid are churned and pushed through the intestines by these muscular waves. The sound is similar to air being forced through a water-filled pipe. The sounds are often noticeably louder when the stomach and intestines are empty because there is no solid food matter to dampen the noise. When the gut is empty, the digestive muscles still contract in periodic waves, called the migrating motor complex, which is why the sounds can be heard even when you are hungry.
Common Triggers That Cause Gurgling
The digestive tract is constantly active, and several common factors trigger increased borborygmi production. One frequent cause is the cephalic phase response, often associated with hunger. About two hours after the stomach empties, the brain signals the gut muscles to contract in preparation for a new meal, creating loud noises.
The natural process of digestion also generates noise, particularly when gut bacteria are involved. As intestinal microbes break down food components the body cannot fully digest, such as fermentable carbohydrates, they release byproducts like hydrogen and methane gas. The movement of this gas and associated fluids through the intestines contributes significantly to the rumbling sounds.
A third trigger is aerophagia, which is the act of swallowing excess air. Activities like talking while eating, drinking carbonated beverages, or chewing gum introduce air into the digestive tract. This swallowed air must travel through the gut, and its passage contributes to the gurgling sounds as it mixes with liquids and solids.
Signs That Gurgling May Indicate a Health Issue
While most gurgling is harmless, the sounds can sometimes signal an underlying health problem. Extremely loud, high-pitched bowel sounds coupled with severe abdominal pain and an inability to pass gas or stool can signal an intestinal obstruction. Conversely, a lack of any bowel sounds, known as hypoactive bowel sounds, is also a medical concern, sometimes indicating a lack of movement in the intestines.
The combination of symptoms, not the noise itself, typically warrants medical attention. Other warning signs include persistent, unexplained symptoms like chronic diarrhea or constipation, fever, or vomiting. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerances, or gastrointestinal infections may cause persistently increased gurgling accompanied by bloating and discomfort. Unexplained weight loss or finding blood in the stool alongside chronic noise are significant indicators that a medical evaluation is needed.
Tips for Quieting Your Digestive System
Simple changes to eating habits can help quiet the digestive system. Slowing down the pace of eating and chewing food thoroughly reduces the amount of air swallowed during a meal. Chewing slowly also aids the initial stages of digestion, making the subsequent process in the gut smoother and less noisy.
Staying well-hydrated by drinking water throughout the day can also help, as fluids smooth the passage of contents through the gut. Eating smaller, more frequent meals prevents the stomach from becoming completely empty, thereby reducing the intensity of the hunger-induced contractions. Another element is limiting the consumption of gas-producing foods, such as beans, cruciferous vegetables, or artificial sweeteners.