Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Why does your stomach growl?

Most people think that stomach growling is usually due to being hungry. This is not always the case. Your stomach can actually growl when it is hungry or when it is full. The noise actually may not be coming from your stomach at all. It actually can be coming from your small intestine. When the noise comes from your stomach it is known as “borborygmi,” which does happen when the stomach is empty.

The stomach growling is a result of muscle contractions of your intestinal wall combined with the presentence of liquid and gas. It is a perfectly normal function that happens all day long.

Growling is part of the (MMC) Migrating Motor Complex

The Migrating Motor Complex occurs when your stomach and intestines have been empty for about two hours. Sensing the absence of food, receptors in the walls of your stomach cause waves of electrical activity in your enteric nervous system (which is like a second brain embedded in your gut).

This triggers hunger contractions that travel the entire length of your gut, helping to clear out stomach contents, mucus, food particals, bacteria and other accumulated debris between your means. A poorly functioning MMC has been linked to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and indigestion.

Bowels sounds are generally a problem with irritable bowel syndrome or if your experiencing diarrhea, due to increased muscle contractions and accumulation of fluid and gas. They also should be a concern when there is a possible obstruction increasing the intestines attempt to move solids, liquids and gas through the narrowed intestines.

For more information regarding abdominal sounds or noises call our office at (210) 468-1891.


In Health, 

Dr. Jacob Torres


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