Stomach Rumbling
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The medical term for stomach rumbling is borborygmi.
The rumbling is caused by the movement of fluid and gas in our intestines. Our digestive system is always moving. This movement is called peristalsis. This movement is coordinated to move food from our esophagus till our rectum. To simplify things, there are 2 main phases of peristalsis: Fasting (or pre-meal) phase and Non-fasting (or post-meal) phase. |
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Pre-meal phase of peristalsisIn between meals, the digestive tract is preparing for the next meal. There are contraction waves of the intestine that are used to clear the intestine of any residue. These contraction waves are often quite vigorous.
Just prior to the time of your next meal, your digestive tract is starting to "prime the pump" by producing stomach acid and increasing the stomach and intestinal peristalsis. In this phase, the noisy rumbling is related to the contractions on an empty digestive tract signaling the need to eat. These contraction waves usually last about 10 minutes. |
Post-meal phase of peristalsisOnce you start to eat, the digestive tract increases its activity starting from stomach contractions, stomach acid production along with intestinal contractions, intestinal secretions and influx of fluid from the bile duct and the pancreatic duct.
In this phase, the rumbling is due the movement of lots of fluid and gas especially through narrowed zones from intestinal spasm creating turbulence. |
How do I decrease the rumbling?
Timely eating of meals or snacks will decrease the fasting borborygmi.
For the post meal rumbling, there are a few factors that can increase the rumbling.
The main one is the foods we eat. Foods that are high in sugars that we may not digest well such as lactose or fructose, lead to increased gas formation and fluid secretion. A lactose and fructose reduced diet or a low FODMAP diet may help to decrease the rumbling.
People with irritable bowel syndrome will often have more rumbling probably due to increased turbulence through zones of intestinal spasm. Treating the irritable bowel syndrome may help to decrease the spasms and therefore the rumbling.
For the post meal rumbling, there are a few factors that can increase the rumbling.
The main one is the foods we eat. Foods that are high in sugars that we may not digest well such as lactose or fructose, lead to increased gas formation and fluid secretion. A lactose and fructose reduced diet or a low FODMAP diet may help to decrease the rumbling.
People with irritable bowel syndrome will often have more rumbling probably due to increased turbulence through zones of intestinal spasm. Treating the irritable bowel syndrome may help to decrease the spasms and therefore the rumbling.
Can the borborygmi be a sign of an important disease?
Usually not but there are situations when more investigations may be needed.
A malabsorption disease such as celiac disease can lead to increased borborygmi. Also, a narrowed segment of intestine due to inflammation, scar tissue or cancer can lead to increased turbulence and rumbling.
If you are experiencing a sudden dramatic change in the level of stomach rumbling especially if there are any alarming features (pain, persistent distension, vomiting, weight loss, significant changes in bowel habits), then it is worth being evaluated by your doctor.
A malabsorption disease such as celiac disease can lead to increased borborygmi. Also, a narrowed segment of intestine due to inflammation, scar tissue or cancer can lead to increased turbulence and rumbling.
If you are experiencing a sudden dramatic change in the level of stomach rumbling especially if there are any alarming features (pain, persistent distension, vomiting, weight loss, significant changes in bowel habits), then it is worth being evaluated by your doctor.