What makes tummy noises

Certain foods are more likely than others to cause gas and digestive distress. These may include:. Larger meals may be harder to digest. Take your time when eating a meal and chew your food well. Eating slowly can help with overall digestion and may also reduce unwanted noises.

Carbonated drinks can make you feel gassy and bloated. Also, drinking from a straw can cause you to swallow more air, which may make you gassier.

Artificial sweeteners contain an ingredient called sorbitol , which, in very high amounts, could lead to increased intestinal noises. Diet gums, candies, and sodas often contain these sweeteners. Some experts suggest trying abdominal breathing , which involves taking slow, deep breaths through the belly as opposed to the chest.

This method may help improve digestive health. Research from suggests that probiotics may help symptoms of IBS. But, if the noises are accompanied by other symptoms, they may signal a bigger problem, such as a blockage or gastrointestinal disorder. Consult with a doctor if the funny noises coming from your stomach are persistent and severe, or if you have other symptoms that accompany the stomach sounds.

A healthcare provider can help diagnose any underlying conditions and come up with an appropriate treatment plan. Stomach noises are a common symptom of normal digestion. But, if the sounds are frequent or occur with other symptoms, you may have another medical condition that needs attention.

Consult with a doctor if the noises coming from your stomach are persistent or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. What should you do? Stomach churning is an uncomfortable sensation caused by a variety of stomach and intestinal issues. Alcohol, sugary foods, and acidic foods can all trigger stomach sounds.

Sugars, such as fructose and sorbitol, are especially problematic. Acidic foods, including citrus fruits and coffee , are also known to cause stomach growling. Alcohol irritates the digestive tract and can cause stomach noises. It also increases acid production and causes inflammation in the lining of the stomach. High doses of alcohol can delay gastric emptying and cause stomach pain.

Certain food and drink produce more gas than others. If stomach growling is caused by large amounts of gas moving through the digestive tract, then avoiding these foods and drinks may solve the problem of borborygmi.

It may be beneficial to remove one food or drink at a time to pinpoint the source of the excess gas and intestinal noises. For example, lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme that helps to digest lactose.

Approximately 65 percent all people have difficulty digesting lactose, although the prevalence varies widely among ethnic and racial populations. The best way to manage a food intolerance is to avoid the foods that cause symptoms. People with chronic stomach growling should discuss the possibility of a food intolerance with their doctor. Stomach growling and other noises may become more noticeable after eating big meals, particularly meals rich in fats, sugars, red meats, and other foods that may be hard to digest.

Eating smaller portions at more regular intervals, along with thoroughly chewing food during meals, reduces the risk of overeating. Going for a walk after meals has been proven to aid the digestive process by speeding up the rate at which the stomach empties. This faster emptying can reduce stomach rumbling. A post-meal walk can also benefit digestion in other ways. Research indicates that a minute walk 15 minutes after eating lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

However, high-intensity activities should be avoided immediately after eating. Stomach growling can be more apparent during certain stressful situations, such as job interviews, presentations, and tests. This is because gut activity increases during periods of anxiety , regardless of whether the stomach is full or empty.

Being stressed is also known to slow down digestion and contribute to symptoms of indigestion, including heartburn and stomach noises. People can reduce levels of anxiety and stress by meditating, practicing deep breathing exercises, and using progressive muscle relaxation techniques. Loud bowel sounds may occur with changes of intestinal function. Common conditions causing this are dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome IBS.

Dyspepsia is a condition with indigestion and upper abdominal discomfort. IBS is a common GI condition characterized by changes in bowel habits and abdominal pain or discomfort.

Dietary adjustment may help if you have a malabsorption issue such as lactose intolerance. It may also be helpful to change a diet high in fructose or the artificial sweetener sorbitol. These sweeteners are commonly present in diet gums, candies, and preserves.

High amounts of these sugars may cause diarrhea, flatus, and increased intestinal noise. Flatus is gas occurring in the intestines or stomach. Bowel sounds are normal. By: Darren Brenner, M. Grant Thompson, M. IFFGD is a nonprofit education and research organization. Our mission is to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal disorders. Our original content is authored specifically for IFFGD readers, in response to your questions and concerns.

If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting IFFGD with a small tax-deductible donation. This information is in no way intended to replace the guidance of your doctor.

All Rights Reserved. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. GI Disorders. Upper GI Disorders. Lower GI Disorders. Bowel incontinence Chronic constipation Chronic diarrhea Dyssynergic defecation. Other GI Disorders. Abdominal adhesions Acute Hepatic Porphyria Anal fistulas Celiac disease Clostridium difficile Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.

Malabsorption Opioid Induced Constipation Radiation therapy injury Scleroderma Short bowel syndrome Superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Vovulus Rare diseases. Motility Disorders. Functional GI Disorders. The Digestive System. Reality Report from Miranda A. Abdominal Noises What causes Bowel Sounds? Noises in the stomach can be caused by: Muscular contraction of the intestinal wall The presence within the intestines of liquid The presence within the intestines of gas The food we eat and the fluids we drink mix with GI secretions in the intestine.

Medical Importance of a Noisy Tummy Bowel sounds without other significant symptoms are normal. Learn more about lactose intolerance Celiac disease is another disorder that causes malabsorption.