We all experience stomach
noise from time to time. You
know, those high pitched
gurgles and rumbles that
only seem to appear when
you're in a quiet room with
lots of people or having that
serious conversation with
your boss. Yep, they sure
can be loud and kind of
embarrassing.
WHY DOES MY STOMACH
MAKE NOISE?
If we are hungry or feel the
urge to eat, just the sight,
smell or thought of food will
cause our digestive system
to signal the brain to get all
systems prepared for the
entry of food. This causes
the muscles that line the
stomach and intestines to
start moving and release
digestive fluids, which in turn
interact with the air and
fermented gas floating inside
our intestinal system (not too
appetizing to think about
while on the buffet line). Most
often this process is silent,
but does have the potential
to play the “gastric
symphony,” otherwise known
in medical circles as
“borborygmi.”
In general, these noises are
not worrisome and may be
due to one or more of the
following:
• A new diet, especially if it
is significantly lower in
calories or very restrictive
in nutritional options
• Food intolerance (high
fiber, milk, beans, etc.)
• Drinking carbonated and/or
caffeinated beverages
• Swallowing excessive air
(eating too quickly, chewing
gum or smoking)
• Eating foods containing
sweeteners that may
increase intestinal gas such
as the sugar alcohols
sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol,
mannitol, and others
• Body position (lying down,
on your side, etc.)
• Abdominal restriction (tight
waistband or belt)
• Stress
DOES MY NOISY
STOMACH NEED A TUNE
UP WITH A PHYSICIAN?
If you experience a change
in your usual stomach noise
pattern, it would be helpful to
record a “stomach sound
diary” for two to three
weeks. Write down the foods
you eat and drinks you
consume, the activity that
triggered the grumbles and
rumbles (lying down,
exercising, sitting down at
work, smoking, etc.), the
timing to food (before, during
or after a meal), if you were
stressed, anxious or upset,
skipped a meal (especially
breakfast), as well any
symptoms such as a change
in your bowel movement
pattern, pain or abdominal
cramping.
Next, it’s important to visit
your physician for a
thorough physical
examination. Depending on
the results, diagnostic
testing (endoscopy,
colonoscopy, etc.) may be
requested.
The bottom line is that your
stomach's rumbling and
grumbling is usually nothing
more than a noisy
expression of what it is
doing at that time. However,
if there has been a change in
pattern or other symptoms
along with your noisy
stomach, please see your
physician.
Thankfully, a little change in
dietary habits may go a long
way toward controlling the
volume of your stomach's
"inner voice."

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