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Rumbling in the stomach in adults is usually a sign of hunger – this is normal, although unpleasant, especially if you are in a public place. And the more hungry you are, the louder the sounds – an empty stomach creates a resonance.
This phenomenon has attracted close interest for thousands of years, and the ancient Greeks even came up with a rather interesting name for it – “borborygmi”. The word does not have a specific translation, they only imitate the sounds of the stomach.
Causes of rumbling in the stomach in adults
There are three main reasons why your stomach growls.
Hunger. The physiology of rumbling in this case is associated with the work of the muscles of the stomach and intestines, that is, with peristalsis. Peristalsis increases when food enters the stomach and then into the intestines. When it is digested, muscle contraction slows down. But if food does not enter the stomach for more than 2 hours after it is empty, peristalsis increases again – thus the stomach is cleansed, removing mucus, leftover food and unnecessary bacteria. Contractions of an empty stomach and cause rumbling. This is a kind of signal: now the cleaning is over and it’s time to eat again.
Binge eating. In this case, the stomach is stretched, a large amount of gastric juice is produced, which enters the intestines.
In response, the pancreas produces pancreatic juice. The volume of fluid in the intestines increases and rumbling occurs, explains Gastroenterologist Marat Zinnatullin.
Gases. The cause of rumbling in the stomach after eating is usually gases. Our digestive system works like this: food enters the stomach, mixes with the secretion of the stomach, which contains enzymes, and turns into a liquid mass, which then moves into the intestines. Fluid moves silently through the intestines. But if air gets into it, a rumbling occurs – gases make a sound. They can enter the stomach and intestines with food, for example, when we eat on the go and quickly, while swallowing air. Or gases are formed as a result of the vital activity of bacteria that are present in the intestines.
Symptoms of rumbling in the stomach in adults
The symptoms are simple – these are the characteristic sounds that the stomach or intestines make.
“Hunger” contractions can last from 10 to 20 minutes, and then repeat every 1 to 2 hours until the person has eaten.
The “full” rumbling is not timed and will continue until the gases come out. Such rumbling may be accompanied by belching, bloating and flatulence.
Treatment of rumbling in the abdomen in adults
If rumbling in the abdomen is not accompanied by any other symptoms, it appears infrequently – this is normal, no treatment is required. Yes, the sounds can be embarrassing, but they do not bring harm to health.
But if the sounds become hyperactive, rumbling – constant, and even accompanied by diarrhea – you should consult a doctor.
Constant rumbling can be a sign of low levels of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose). As a result, sugar reaches the rectum, where it is fermented by bacteria. As a result, hydrogen is released, which causes rumbling.
Rumbling can be a sign of celiac disease – a violation of the intestines associated with intolerance to gluten (a protein in cereals).
Another problem in which rumbling occurs is incomplete intestinal patency. In this case, the peristalsis increases, the muscles try to push the food with force, resulting in loud sounds. In this case, in addition to rumbling, a person will be tormented by severe pain and malaise.
But there are cases when the sounds are very loud, hyperactive, but there are no pathologies – it depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. For example, loud gurgling can occur if you drink a lot of liquid at one time.
In general, rumbling in the abdomen, no matter how loud, is rarely a sign of illness in the absence of diarrhea or other symptoms. This is an unreliable sign of diagnosis, and doctors do not make diagnoses based on rumbling alone – more weighty tests and analyzes are needed.
By the way, rumbling in the stomach is a good sign after bowel surgery – the patient is clearly on the mend.
Diagnostics
It happens that a person does not hear any sounds and does not feel them, but a doctor can detect them by listening to the stomach with a stethoscope. Rumbling can occur anywhere, but the loudest sounds are usually from the stomach.
Modern treatments
There is no specific treatment for rumbling in the abdomen. It may accompany general bowel dysfunction such as dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome. If there is diarrhea, malabsorption (poor absorption of any substances in the intestines) is suspected, a doctor should be consulted.
Diet can help if there is lactose intolerance. Or rumbling is caused by excessive consumption of fructose or the artificial sweetener sorbitol (which, by the way, is also a laxative) – they are usually found in diet chewing gums, candy and canned food. Excess amounts of these sugars can cause diarrhea, gas, and increased bowel noise.
We repeat once again: in general, rumbling in the stomach is the norm. But if you feel that the sounds of your bowels are interfering with your life, causing problems, consult your doctor.
Prevention of rumbling in the abdomen in adults at home
Often rumbling is caused by an excess of sugars in food. Try reducing your fructose and sorbitol intake, especially on an empty stomach.
If any foods cause rumbling, and you understand this, eliminate them from your diet or reduce your intake.
Popular questions and answers
We asked you to answer popular questions about stomach rumbling Gastroenterologist Marata Zinnatullina.