Sudden stomach growling can be a sign of hunger. But even a full stomach can be surprisingly noisy. Here you can find out what causes it and how you can prevent stomach growling.
Stomach growling, also known as borborygmus, is caused by movements of the organs in the digestive tract. We usually associate stomach growling with hunger. But even a full stomach can lead to the well-known noises.
The stomach never stops working, it is constantly active. The muscle activity generates vibrations in the stomach area, which causes noises in the hollow organ depending on the filling level. Unexpected growls and gurgles can occur on both an empty and a full stomach.
So that the stomach does not start rumbling in unpleasant situations, there are a few things you can do to avoid growling.
This is how stomach rumbling occurs
Stomach growling is caused by the constant movement of our digestive organs. The stomach is also called ‘blind’ because it never knows whether it is digesting something or not. It is therefore constantly active and ready to mix food and transport it to the intestines for digestion.
The stomach, intestines and esophagus contract continuously in waves. This contraction serves to mix and transport food, gastric juices and other secretions through the body.
In addition, if there is still a lot of air in the stomach, then an empty stomach with its movement can create vibrations that make the air ring. We perceive this as a growl in the stomach. So you can’t turn off stomach growling because the stomach tract is working non-stop. However, if the stomach makes a loud noise, this is usually a good sign of intact digestion.
If your stomach suddenly growls: Possible causes
If your stomach reports with a noisy stomach growl, this can have different causes. Usually that means your stomach is empty and you’re hungry, or your body is busy digesting food.
The stomach is empty: About one liter of gastric juice and one and a half liters of other secretions such as saliva and mucus flow through the stomach every day. If the stomach is empty and the bodily juices are still mixed with water, then the stomach pulp is particularly thin and a cavity is created in the stomach. This cavity serves as a resonance chamber or sound box for the air we breathe. It is made to vibrate by the muscle movements and the stomach growls. In addition, the constant movement of the stomach forces the air through a narrow opening into the intestine. This also produces noises similar to a musical instrument.
Stomach is full: After eating, the stomach is filled with a mushy consistency. The air vibrations therefore cause less noise. However, it may be that we have swallowed too much air while eating, which then creates sudden noises. Stomach growling can also be a sign that the food is difficult to digest and that the stomach has to work particularly actively.
Note: Persistent stomach problems can also be a sign of an irritable stomach or inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Stress also promotes a malfunction of the stomach. If symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain or heartburn persist, then you should seek medical advice.
Tips against sudden stomach growling: Here’s what you can do
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / philm1310)
Stomach growling can be uncomfortable and undesirable in some situations. However, if you pay attention to a few things, you can prevent and avoid stomach growling:
- Avoid swallowing too much air while eating, for example by talking too much. Less air in the stomach means less vibration and therefore less growling.
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Eat regularly to avoid creating a large cavity that then acts as a sound box.
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Chew your food carefully. Then the stomach does not have to work as hard and is less noisy.
- Avoid thinking about food. The thought alone can stimulate stomach activity and lead to sudden stomach growls.
- Get your body used to fiber slowly and avoid too many foods that are difficult to digest, such as high-fat foods. This is easy on the stomach and intestines.
- Try to drink regularly and relax. This is not only good for the stomach, but also for the rest of the digestive tract and body.
Also read our post Digestive problems: home remedies, tips and possible causes. Here you will find more helpful tips on how to support your stomach and intestines.
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