5 stomach sounds indicating your body needs attention

Author: Xu Lang, Science Popularization Creator. Review: Wang Qiang, Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Editor: Zhang Yinuo. Proofreading: Xu Lai, Zhang Linlin. Source: Science Popularization China WeChat Official Account.

5 Stomach Sounds Indicating Your Body Needs Attention. Bowel sounds can reveal intestinal health. This article analyzes sound changes and offers diet tips for better intestinal health.

When people are hungry, many will experience gurgling sounds from their stomachs, referred to medically as 'borborygmi.' However, few realize that different types of borborygmi can convey distinct messages, and five specific sounds should be taken seriously as they may indicate that the body is in distress.

What causes the 'rumbling sounds' in the stomach? Bowel sounds are primarily produced by three forms of activity in the small intestine: tonic contractions, segmentation, and peristalsis.

Tonic contractions help maintain the shape and position of the small intestine, which is essential for enabling other forms of movement.

Segmentation movement adequately mixes chyme with digestive juices to facilitate better chemical digestion.

Peristalsis primarily serves to propel chyme, occurring throughout the entire length of the small intestine.

When you're hungry, why does your stomach growl? After the food in the stomach is nearly digested and the stomach is close to empty, gastric juice continues to be secreted. Under the influence of gastric juice, the stomach's contractions intensify, and these stronger contractions stimulate nerves that transmit signals to the brain, creating the feeling of hunger.

At times, you might hear a gurgling sound that gradually shifts from faint to louder.

Intense contractions of the stomach induced by hunger compress gas within the body, and when this gas passes through a narrow passage, it produces sound. The narrower the passage, the louder the resulting sound.

Five types of bowel sounds to pay attention to. Bowel sounds are classified into physiological and pathological types. Physiological bowel sounds result from the interaction of gas and liquid in the intestinal cavity due to intestinal peristalsis.

Everyone experiences intestinal sounds, with 4 to 5 sounds per minute considered normal; these sounds are typically soft and rarely audible to others. Unlike gurgling stomach sounds, intestinal sounds are generally heard around the navel. When patients seek medical attention for gastrointestinal issues, doctors commonly use a stethoscope to check for intestinal sounds.

Bowel sounds reflect the normalcy of intestinal function. If bowel sounds exceed 10 times per minute or are high-pitched, your body is signaling distress. Various types of bowel sounds convey differing messages.

1. Simple gurgling sounds, with no other abnormalities in the body — indicative of indigestion.

Individuals who are lactose intolerant may experience notable gurgling sounds in their stomach when consuming milk on an empty stomach, as it stimulates intestinal motility, potentially leading to diarrhea and vomiting in severe cases.

Some people also encounter intestinal sounds due to consuming gas-producing foods such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and black beans. Emotional factors like tension and anxiety can also heighten intestinal motility, resulting in increased intestinal sounds.

2. Increased bowel sounds, louder noises, and sensations of peristalsis—may indicate acute gastroenteritis.

Acute gastroenteritis often comes with symptoms like abdominal bloating, pain, constipation, unformed stools, and a notable decrease in appetite.

3. Decreased or faint bowel sounds—could suggest peritonitis.

Peritonitis is typically accompanied by abdominal pain and muscle tension in the abdomen. In frail elderly patients, the body might gradually develop a fever, and irritation of the peritoneum could lead to nausea and vomiting.

4. A pronounced increase in bowel sounds, exceeding 15 times per minute, with heightened volume—indicative of possible intestinal obstruction.

This may indicate a mechanical bowel obstruction, characterized by clear sounds, and sometimes even a metallic sound.

Moreover, in cases of intestinal paralysis, peristalsis halts, leading to stagnant intestinal contents and the cessation of bowel sounds.

5. Increased bowel sounds accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and potentially bloody stools—could signal acute inflammation or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Intestinal gas can originate from outside sources but may also be produced by bacteria in the gut due to an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota. Additionally, persistent increases in bowel sounds related to other gastrointestinal symptoms, like abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements, may indicate a warning sign for colorectal cancer.

However, these symptoms alone cannot be used for diagnosis. It's crucial to seek medical attention promptly for any discomfort and follow healthcare guidance, avoiding home diagnoses that could delay proper treatment.

What steps should you take to 'rescue' your intestines when you experience bowel sounds?

Since the intestines communicate signals through sounds, how can we 'rescue' our gut?

1. Chew slowly and savor your food while eating quietly.

Take time to chew thoughtfully, refrain from chatting during meals, and limit smoking, chewing gum, and drinking carbonated beverages to prevent swallowing excess air.

2. Practice reasonable eating habits.

It's advisable to cut back on high-starch and high-protein foods while increasing yogurt intake in daily life. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria, such as probiotics and bifidobacteria, which help restore intestinal flora balance, enhance peristalsis, and improve bowel sounds.

3. Keep your stomach warm.

Cold can disrupt normal intestinal and stomach function, leading to gastrointestinal disturbances. It's important to maintain warmth in the abdominal area and reduce the intake of excessively cold foods and drinks.

4. Pay attention to dietary combinations.

Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods into your meals. Be mindful of the types of foods based on individual health conditions; for instance, those with lactose intolerance should avoid lactose-containing foods.

Borborygmi are the 'language' of your gastrointestinal system. They communicate in their own way. When they signal your body's condition, do not ignore them. Take the time to analyze the situations and care for your digestive system.

References.

Why Does Your Stomach 'Gurgle' at 37 Degrees? [J] Scientific Enlightenment, October 1, 2020.

Cui Bai's stomach growls even when not hungry? It could be a warning signal from the body.

Wan Xuehong, Lu Xuefeng. Diagnosis, 9th Edition. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 2018: 173.

Hou Feng. Evaluation of the Digital Bowel Sound Monitoring System in Assessing Intestinal Function After Gastrointestinal Surgery [D]. Xi'an Medical University, June 2019.

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