Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Why Does Your Stomach Make Gurgling Sounds?

Have you ever heard someone’s stomach growl or even had your own experience? It can be embarrassing, especially if someone points it out, but it is very natural and is commonly occurring. It turns out there is a biological process that produces these sounds that come from the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Most people experience this when they are hungry. 

According to an article, “Why Do Stomachs Growl” written by EarthSky, it appears that there is a signal sent to the brain when someone is hungry, and the brain sends a response to the digestive system. This response involves the stomach and small intestine getting ready for a meal which usually means, gastric juices are made. It also makes the intestine and stomach contract through the process of peristalsis which is involuntary muscle contractions. The contractions get more frequent and stronger! Because there is gas or air in the intestine, the actual noise of the gurgle is heard when the gas and juice gush into the small hole that separates the stomach and small intestine. There is an actual medical term for this sound, “borborygmi.”

Yes, hunger is the main factor in creating this sound, but there are other reasons as well. They include having ulcers or even having too much air in the intestine, even indigestion. There are ways to reduce the sound of the grumble, and they include drinking water, remaining calm or even lying down on your back and of course, eating slowly! This is a natural thing and most people have experienced it, so no need to feel embarrassed. 

Posted by Kristina Baldeo (7)

https://earthsky.org/human-world/what-causes-a-hungry-stomach-to-growl/

10 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Hi Kristina! I really liked your post! I never have really thought about why my stomach makes noises, or about the biological process behind it. It was really interesting to read about. My stomach used to rumble in high school right after I would eat, do you think it has to do with the same process?

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    1. Hi Jess, I think it does because the food is being digested and is passing through the stomach into the small intestine so some noise should be expected. I'm glad you liked the post. Thanks for commenting,
      Kristina Baldeo

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  3. I loved reading your post! My stomach growls so often and it is usually when I am hungry, but I always wondered why it did it. Now it makes sense that it is just the sound of food/liquid going into the air pockets in my stomach and small intestine!

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    1. Hi Shannon, I'm glad you liked reading my post. My stomach often growls when I am hungry and I just found out why while writing this blog post! I find it super interesting that is the movement of food and pressure that creates this sound. Thanks for commenting,
      Kristina Baldeo

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  4. I never knew that this had a specific name, I guess I never really questioned it before this. It was interesting knowing the scientific reasoning to why this happens. I always feel like my stomach growls at the worst time when it is very quiet. - Sara Dunn

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    1. Hey Sara, seriously! I didn't even know there was a medical term for the sound. I found that super interesting. I definitely know the feeling of it growling at the worst times. Thanks for commenting,
      Kristina Baldeo

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  5. Hello,
    This was a very interesting and relatable topic. I always wondered the science behind the noises that came out of my stomach at the worst times, and your article did a great job addressing that.
    - Tugba Kahveci

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  6. Hi Kristina, I found this post very interesting because I feel like my stomach always decides to start rumbling when im around other people and it's quiet. I never knew that the intestines caused this and always assumed the sound was caused by nerves

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  7. Hu Kristina,
    I hate hearing those grumbling noises from my stomach so that was the main reason I clicked on your post and I'm glad I did. I knew my intestines and stomach were moving but I didn't know the sounds were made because of juices and gas moving through a small hole.
    Morianna Saint-Cyr

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