Sitting in an quiet, yet intense business meeting is rather difficult when your stomach continues to disrupt the harmony by voicing its noisy opinions. Many of us have sat in classrooms, at our jobs, church-just about anywhere and have been slightly embarrassed by the noises emitting from our mid-regions. Perhaps you’ve not eaten a meal all day. There may be a chance that you’ve had a huge meal. Whatever the circumstances, it seems that our tummies feel compelled to speak to us at the most inopportune times. But what is it exactly that our stomachs are saying with all this noise? Take a closer listen, and what you’ll find out may be fascinating…
WHAT ARE STOMACH NOISES?
Wouldn’t you know it? There is a medical term for this [sometimes] embarrassing situation: it’s called borborygmi (pronounced,”bor-bor-RIG-mee”). Quite simply, this is the movement of “materials” through the intestinal tract. Food is actually emptied from the stomach within about 4-6 hours of consumption. So the noises you hear are the result of that “emptying.” Whether or not you’ve had a meal is moot where it concerns stomach gurgling. The body’s natural digestive juices are ever-present, moving through the intestinal tract ever so often to remove any food which may be lingering. With this understanding, we’re a little bit closer to determining the cause of certain sounds.
THE LANGUAGE
People are universally familiar with the way the stomach feels and sounds when one has not eaten. Ironically, there are certain qualities to the sounds which alert the stomach’s owner to what’s really going on:
THE EMPTY RUMBLE- This stomach sound is typically accompanied by the feeling of air in the stomach. Usually the owner of this sound recognizes that he/she is hungry. Typically the noise sounds deep and guttural, sometimes resembling a heavy rolling sound. When this occurs, it’s best simply to eat something. The sound you’re hearing is the movement of air passing through your digestive system. When there is an excess of air attempting to pass through, it creates the deep rumbling sound. This noise is most easily interpreted because the stomach’s owner is aware of the hunger.
THE “BUBBLY” GURGLE- This noise is the most awkward of all, according to some people. This sound most often is accompanied by no feeling of hunger at all. Others nearby may confuse this sound with the Empty Stomach Rumble. But in fact, these strange noises are really a combination of liquids and gases moving through the intestinal tract at the same time. Foods high in fiber, carbonated beverages, and even items high in fructose are known to be catalysts for excessive gas in the stomach. So hearing these noises is actually normal, and is not cause for alarm.
THE STOMACH “WHINE”- The stomach “whine” is typically a long, extended high-pitched sound, and is usually accompanied by a persistent gurgle. This “whine” is actually the sound of digestive fluids rushing through the intestines at a higher rate of speed. If you’re wondering what could cause food particles and fluid to rush more quickly, the answer to that is air—particularly the air found in the carbonation of your favorite soft drinks. Physicians have also discovered that the louder nature of the gurgling is caused by indigestion, sometimes brought on by the consumption of greasy foods.
If that high-pitched noise is also accompanied by a bloated tummy and some pain, there might be a problem with your intestinal tract called a stricture. These small obstructions can sometimes get in the way of your natural digestive processes, causing discomfort. Look out for nausea and vomiting also as it relates to your stomach noises. If you’re experiencing these while your tummy makes loud sounds, then a call to the doctor may be in order.
In general, it’s a good practice to monitor how you feel when you eat certain foods. This makes it easier for your physician to determine the culprit of the embarrassing sounds. Ultimately, it’s perfectly normal to have a vocal stomach. The movement of food, liquid, and air through the digestive tract is bound to create some kind of noise. Because of its awkward nature, there are a few things you can do to try to eliminate the sound in the event that your surroundings call for quiet. Sipping warm gingerale or 7-UP may have the same effect on a gurgling tummy as they do on a nauseated one. Furthermore, the bubbles may serve as a catalyst for moving air upward (into a better concealed belch). Normally speaking, it’s a good practice not to gulp when drinking or eating. This increases the amount of air you take in, causing your stomach to “talk.” If all else fails, and your stomach won’t keep quiet, have yourself a small snack. More than likely, the food will fill up the space in your stomach, alleviating the embarrassing sounds.
