Causes of stomach rumbling – how can it be prevented?

Gurgling, sloshing and "rumbling" in the tummy are sounds produced as gases and liquid contents pass through the stomach and intestines. In medicine, these are referred to as bowel sounds, whilst particularly loud noises are also known as borborygmi. As early as 1896, research into the movements of the digestive tract using X-rays began, which provided a more detailed understanding of peristalsis – the contractions responsible for mixing and moving the contents of the digestive tract.

1. Bubbling and intestinal problems
2. Preventing gurgling
3. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Bubbling and intestinal problems

Bubbling in itself is usually a physiological phenomenon and does not indicate illness. This is because the intestines are not a static ‘tube’; their muscles regularly contract and relax, mixing food with digestive fluids and propelling the contents onwards. The sound becomes audible mainly when there is both liquid and gas present in the digestive tract at the same time. Some gas may enter the digestive tract when air is swallowed. The amount of gas can be increased by eating and drinking quickly, talking whilst eating, chewing gum, sucking on hard sweets, drinking through a straw, and consuming fizzy drinks.

Gurgling may occur after a meal, when the activity of the stomach and intestines changes, but it can also occur on an empty stomach. Between meals, the stomach and small intestine experience cyclical series of contractions known as the migrating motor complex (MMC). This is a natural part of the digestive tract’s functioning during periods without food, so the characteristic ‘hunger rumbling’ does not necessarily indicate any abnormality.

Sometimes the sound is perceived as a single rumbling, at other times as a longer gurgling or a series of sounds moving across the abdomen. It is not possible to assess whether digestion is proceeding normally based on the volume alone. The presence of additional symptoms is of greater significance. Periodic gurgling without pain, diarrhoea, vomiting or noticeable bloating usually falls within the range of normal digestive tract activity. Such symptoms may occur, amongst other things, in cases of intolerance to certain sugars, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease or gastrointestinal infections.

Terms related to rumbling in the tummy

Preventing gurgling

There is no need to completely eliminate stomach noises, as they are a normal part of the digestive system’s functioning. When they occur exceptionally frequently or are bothersome, you can start by reducing factors that increase the amount of air swallowed: eat more slowly, chew your food thoroughly, avoid drinking through a straw, cut down on fizzy drinks and limit frequent chewing of gum. If symptoms recur, it is also helpful to observe the link between meals and symptoms. A brief diary recording the foods consumed, their quantities and any subsequent symptoms can help identify a recurring pattern without resorting to sweeping and unnecessary dietary restrictions.

If bloating clearly occurs after consuming specific carbohydrates, their quantity can be adjusted to suit individual tolerance. If lactose intolerance is suspected, it is not necessary to automatically eliminate all dairy products: the amount of lactose tolerated varies from person to person, and the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has indicated that most people with impaired lactose digestion can tolerate a single dose of a few grams without symptoms or with only mild symptoms, although it is not possible to establish a single dose suitable for everyone.

In the event of recurring symptoms, it is not advisable to start a restrictive gluten-free diet on your own, nor to eliminate large groups of foods for prolonged periods. A diet restricting fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) may alleviate certain symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome, including bloating, but it is not a universal remedy for bowel sounds and should not lead to unnecessary, long-term dietary restrictions. Persistent gurgling combined with severe or worsening pain, prolonged diarrhoea or constipation, vomiting, blood in the stool or unexplained weight loss requires a medical investigation to determine the cause.

"A rumbling stomach does not usually indicate a health problem – it is a natural result of the movement of gas and fluids as the stomach and intestines work. It is primarily the accompanying symptoms, rather than the volume of the sounds themselves, that are diagnostically significant." Anna Zięba – Dietitian

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for your tummy to gurgle?

Yes. Occasional gurgling, rumbling and sloshing are natural consequences of the digestive tract at work. These sounds are caused, amongst other things, by the movement of gas and liquid contents through the stomach and intestines.

Why does my tummy gurgle after eating?

After a meal, the activity of the digestive tract increases. Food is mixed with digestive fluids and moves on, and the gases present in the intestines can cause characteristic noises. Certain foods may further increase intestinal fermentation.

Why does your stomach rumble when you’re hungry?

During periods when you haven’t eaten, the stomach and small intestine experience cyclical contractions known as the migratory myoelectric complex. These contractions can cause the characteristic ‘hunger rumbling’ and are part of the physiological functioning of the digestive tract.

How can you quickly reduce rumbling in your tummy?

If the cause is swallowing too much air, it may help to eat more slowly, chew your food thoroughly, and cut down on fizzy drinks, chewing gum and drinking through a straw. If the symptoms recur, it’s worth noting which foods seem to make the problem worse.

Can rumbling be caused by a food intolerance?

It can, but rumbling on its own is not enough to diagnose an intolerance. For example, with lactose intolerance, bloating, excessive gas, stomach ache or diarrhoea may also occur after consuming foods containing lactose.

Can stress cause a sensation of fullness in the gut?

Yes. The nervous system influences gastrointestinal motility, which is why stress and strong emotions can, in some people, alter bowel function and intensify the sensation of fullness, cramps or other abdominal symptoms.

Does a low-FODMAP diet help with rumbling in the tummy?

It may help some people with irritable bowel syndrome, particularly when the rumbling is accompanied by bloating, wind and pain. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for bowel sounds, and you should not unnecessarily eliminate large groups of foods for long periods.

When should rumbling in the tummy be a cause for concern?

Medical advice is required, first and foremost, when persistent rumbling is accompanied by severe or worsening pain, prolonged diarrhoea or constipation, vomiting, blood in the stools, a fever or unexplained weight loss.

Sources:

• Hasler W. L. (2006). Gas and Bloating. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 2(9), 654–662.
• Deng, Y., Misselwitz, B., Dai, N., & Fox, M. (2015). Lactose Intolerance in Adults: Biological Mechanism and Dietary Management. Nutrients, 7(9), 8020–8035. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7095380
• Halmos, E. P., Power, V. A., Shepherd, S. J., Gibson, P. R., & Muir, J. G. (2014). A diet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology, 146(1), 67–75.e5. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2013.09.046