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Why stomach growls: reasons and how to deal with it
We are all familiar with the awkward feeling that arises at the most inopportune moments – on a date, in a job interview, or in a beauty salon. For no reason at all, the stomach begins to gurgle, rumble or “sing” in every way, and we just think where to fail as soon as possible, if only it would end. Let’s figure out how to get rid of the unpleasant rumbling sounds in the stomach and how to prevent the repetition of this shameful scenario in the future.
What’s rumbling in your stomach?
We often mistake incomprehensible sounds from our gut for a bubbling stomach. In fact, doctors say, it is more about a troubled intestine. Peristalsis – pushing food with the help of wave-like contractions of the gastrointestinal tract – is the reason for the “noise” we do not understand. After any food enters our mouth, it travels a path up to 10 meters long. Each part of the gastrointestinal tract has a different number of approximate contractions per minute. Some of them we do not feel or hear in any way. But sometimes the sound is compared in strength to the singing of a whale. Most often, such undignified behavior of an organ is associated with hunger, but this is not always an objective reason for seething.
Why is the belly singing?
Rumbling and gurgling in the stomach can occur with equal probability on an empty or full stomach. Many are interested in the question, why does the stomach growl after eating, because its “need” is satisfied? The fact is that at the time when we just ate, the strength of peristalsis increases. Most often, at this time, the stomach and intestines make sounds that only doctors can hear with the help of a steoscope. Food drowns out some of the noise, making it “softer”. But if we overeat, the digestive tract receives an additional load for which it is not ready. Therefore, he puts more effort into digesting food. The sounds of peristalsis are accordingly amplified. During hunger, the sound can become stronger due to contractions of the gastrointestinal tract “in vain” – so the body makes it clear – it’s time to refresh yourself.
“If food does not enter the stomach for more than 2 hours after it is empty, peristalsis intensifies again – the stomach is cleansed, removing mucus, remaining food and unnecessary bacteria. Contractions of an empty stomach cause sounds, ”explained Marat Zinnatullin, a gastroenterologist, candidate of medical sciences, member of the Russian Gastroenterological Association.1, writes the Russian newspaper.
Let’s figure out what else can cause stomach gurgling and how to deal with it.
No place to rush
In a healthy person, one of the reasons for rumbling in the stomach can be haste. So, in a hurry to fill the stomach as soon as possible during the lunch break, we grab the food and send unnecessary air into the digestive tract. During contractions of the stomach and intestines, air bubbles do not collapse, they churn into foam and begin to “roll”, and we hear unpleasant sounds. To avoid this, you need to chew food thoroughly, do not talk while eating, and consume less carbonated drinks.
Unhealthy story
If you notice that specific sounds accompany you after consuming certain foods, this may be a reason for contacting a specialist. First, the reason for the rumbling in the stomach in an adult can be incomplete digestion of carbohydrate-containing foods, including milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains. In addition, the stomach can be anxious from foods high in gluten such as wheat, barley and rye. You can refrain from using “dangerous” products for a while, and if the rumbling stops, then, probably, this was the reason.
How to understand that the intestines hurt?
If the usual rumbling is complemented by other symptoms such as bloating, cramps, diarrhea, or excessive gas formation, you should see a doctor immediately. In this case, your stomach and intestines with the help of rumbling ask for help and warn of dangerous diseases. Among them may be ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, poisoning. Cramps, fever, general weakness and vomiting immediately after eating will also be signs of the disease. For any combination of these symptoms, immediately seek help from a doctor, self-medicate and wait for it to “pass by itself” is very dangerous. Gastrointestinal diseases are treated by a gastroenterologist.
“Pain occurs immediately after eating (with ulcers of the cardiac and subcardial parts of the stomach), half an hour to an hour after eating (with ulcers of the stomach). With lesions of the pyloric canal and the duodenal bulb, late pains are usually observed (2-3 hours after eating), “hungry” pains that occur on an empty stomach and pass after eating, as well as night pains, “- explain the main symptoms of peptic ulcer disease in the memo Russian gastroenterological association2.
More movement, less stress
The well-coordinated work of the gastrointestinal tract is also influenced by the way of life. More often people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, smokers and neurotics encounter rumbling. So, during stress, our stomach begins to contract, provoking unpleasant sounds. For the same reason, many of us begin to “seize” stress – taking the rumbling in the stomach for a symptom of hunger. Sports exercises, on the other hand, “stretch” our body, relax toned tissues, allow the body to adjust all internal processes and teach us to control the feelings of hunger and thirst.
How to quickly stop rumbling in your stomach?
First of all, it is worth remembering that a sound that is not entirely pleasant from an aesthetic point of view is still the norm and a normal physiological process. If he took you by surprise, coping with the disease can be quite simple. For starters, drink a glass of plain water or eat a couple of crackers, a slice of bread, or candy. Having received the load, the digestive tract will calm down a little and will not disgrace you. If it’s been a really long time since the last meal, it’s worth taking a lunch break, but remember that excessive exercise and overeating will lead to the same effect that you are trying to get away from.
“Prebiotics can help fight one of the common causes of rumbling – gas formation. Any prebiotics are selected individually, like food. If we see a good result, it means that the drug has been selected correctly, “says Dmitry Bordin, chief freelance specialist of the Moscow City Health Department, Doctor of Medical Sciences.3.
How to help the body in advance?
As you know, any problem is easier to prevent than to deal with it afterwards. Therefore, doctors recommend following a few simple rules for which the body will thank you.
Drink plenty of water between meals. It will occupy “emptiness” in the stomach and drown out unpleasant sounds. Swap coffee for herbal tea – chamomile, ginger and mint will help relax your abdominal muscles and reduce stress. Do not overeat or starve – everything should be in moderation and the digestive tract will get used to the same load. After eating, take a short leisurely walk – physical activity speeds up metabolism and helps the stomach work. Drink less soda and reduce sugar, both of which can trigger diarrhea, bloating and, as a result, rumbling.
Sources:
Gastroenterologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Member , Marat Zinnatullin.
, clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer disease.
Chief freelance specialist , Doctor of Medical Sciences Dmitry Bordin.