Gurgling Stomach
Last reviewed by Dr.Mary on October 4th, 2018.
Although in the majority of cases, stomach gurgling is not a cause to be concerned, it can be a situation that is rather embarrassing. If this occurs with an individual frequently at short intervals, it could be an uncomfortable situation if other individuals are around. Even worse, in the middle of the night, it would disturb the sleep of other individuals in the family. This is exactly why it is often called a “stomach noise.”
Symptoms of Gurgling Stomach
Known by the medical term of “borborygmus” which is Greek for “rumbling,” sounds from either the stomach or intestine, can be signs of a healthy digestive system that is working fine.
Although possibly benign, a stomach that is gurgling may at some times indicate serious problems, notably, if accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Cramps
Causes of Gurgling Stomach
Any unexpected contractions of the stomach or intestinal muscles may create gurgling or rumbling sounds in the stomach. This can occur because of the following reasons:
Hunger
This is the reason that is most prominent for any gurgling of the stomach. Not eating breakfast or lunch because of dieting very often causes growling in the stomach. Naturally, it means that the individual is hungry. In most instances, the gurgling of the stomach is usually accompanied by hunger pains that can be unbearable and typically subside after eating some food. When an individual is hungry for more than two hours, the brain after sensing this, responds by the stimulation of muscle contractions.
Nervousness
This is the state of mind that is caused by uneasy or anxious feelings. Gurgling of the stomach has been linked to this nervousness especially when individuals are overcome with nervousness or extreme anxiety.
Carbonated Beverages: Drinking carbonated fluids also can cause gurgling in the stomach. As well, some individuals may eat their dinner or lunch very fast, not chewing completely and gulping it down. This improper method of eating or drinking can quickly cause gurgling in the stomach.
After eating
Even after eating, an individual can hear some weird noises. Digestion takes place mostly in the intestines where it breaks down fats, carbohydrates as well as minerals into much smaller molecules for ease of processing. This churning of the food is normal for the digestive system and may as well cause gurgling noises in the stomach.
Stomach disorders
Often bouts of gurgling in the stomach even when the stomach is full and followed with pain in the abdomen, bloating, stomach cramps or diarrhea can be the beginning of a gastrointestinal disorder, for instance, irritable bowel syndrome or could be the start of an upset stomach from an intestinal virus.
Gurgling Stomach Treatment
For the above causes of the stomach gurgling, the below practices should be followed:
- Do not skip meals as a way to diet – cut back on calories
- To control stress and anxiety, practice yoga or other meditation techniques
- Cut back on the number of carbonated beverages consumed during the day
- Drink at least eight glasses of water daily
- Do not hurry when eating and chew the food completely
- See your primary care physician if you suspect an intestinal or another type of stomach disorder that does not clear up with over the counter remedies or if it is recurring.
CURE FOR GURGLING STOMACH
My stomach started making a gurgling noise recently. After seeing 3 different doctors that were trained and specialized in gastroenterology and reading numerous postings about the affliction, I was left with little hope of a cure. Then a friend suggested that I take “probiotics”. He said his wife took oral antibiotics and soon after she started having all types of stomach problems. The antibiotics not only kills the bad bacteria, but also kills the good bacteria. This jogged my memory, because just before my stomach started to make the gurgling sound, I had taken some strong oral antibiotics. So I bought some very strong proboitics from the health food store, because I had no clue what I was buying I just got the most expensive and potent stuff I can find. Six little shot glass type containers for about $30. I took one shot early in the day and sure enough that seemed to help greatly -virtually no stomach noise the entire day. Why a doctor who spends most of his adult life diagnosing and treating GI issues could not ask me a simple question like have you recently taken antibiotics is quite disconcerting. My friend is pretty smart, but has no medical training. He has a business degree, but chose clerical work. I don’t know if probiotics will work for everyone, but if oral antibiotics were taken in the recent past, then give it a shot.