A suddenly noisy stomach can be embarrassing, especially when you are sitting in a quiet room, at work or in a meeting. But those growling, rumbling and gurgling sounds are usually a normal part of digestion.
The sounds are medically associated with the movement of food, liquid and gas through the digestive system. Your intestines are constantly moving their contents through a process known as peristalsis, and this movement can produce audible sounds.
One of the most common reasons for a noisy stomach is hunger. When you have not eaten for several hours, the digestive system can continue contracting as it prepares for the next meal. Because there is less food in the stomach and intestines to muffle the movement, the sounds can sometimes become more noticeable.
However, stomach noises do not always mean that you are hungry.
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Eating certain foods can also increase digestive sounds. Foods that produce more gas, fizzy drinks and meals that are difficult for some people to digest can result in more movement and rumbling.
Swallowing air while eating quickly, drinking through a straw or chewing gum can also increase the amount of air in the digestive system.
Stress and anxiety may also influence digestion. The brain and digestive system are closely connected, meaning emotional stress can sometimes change the way the intestines move.
Occasional stomach noises are generally normal and are not usually a sign of disease.
However, if loud or persistent stomach sounds occur together with severe abdominal pain, persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool or significant changes in bowel habits, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
The next time your stomach starts making strange noises in public, there may be no reason to worry. Your digestive system could simply be doing its job.
