If you’ve noticed more growling and gurgling coming from your stomach lately, you may wonder whether it is just a natural digestive reaction or if could it be a sign of something serious. I know that because I’ve been there and done that. Stomach noises in themselves are very common and usually harmless, but in some cases, they can indicate an underlying health condition. Understanding the nuances of stomach noises can be crucial because, at least in my case, that is how I knew I had colon cancer.
Bowel cancer specifically can cause changes in bowel habits and digestive issues that lead to increased stomach noises. However, not all stomach noises are related to cancer. This article will cover the common causes of stomach noises, when bowel cancer stomach noises may be a concern, symptoms to look for, and when it’s time to see a doctor. We’ll also provide some tips for quieting a noisy stomach in the meantime.
Why is My Stomach Growling?
Stomach noises occur during the normal digestive processes as food, liquid, and gas move through your gastrointestinal tract. The medical term for this is borborygmi. Contractions of intestinal muscles result in these gurgling sounds when contents get propelled through the intestines. Everybody’s stomach makes noise during digestion, but some people are louder than others. Typical causes are
1. Digestion: As food, liquids, and gases move through the digestive tract, the muscles contract to propel the contents forward. These muscle contractions may create gurgling or rumbling sounds.
2. Peristalsis: Peristalsis is the rhythmic, wave-like contractions of the muscles in the digestive tract that help move food and waste through the system. The movement of materials and gases along the intestines can create audible noises.
3. Gas: The breakdown of food by bacteria in the intestines produces gases, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane. These gases can cause gurgling or bubbling sounds as they move through the digestive tract.
4. Fluid movements: The movement of fluids, such as water, digestive juices, and partially digested food, can also contribute to stomach noises as they travel through the intestines.
5. Individual variations: Some people naturally have louder digestive noises than others due to factors like muscle tone, digestion speed, and the amount of gas produced during the breakdown of food.
6. Gastritis Stomach Noises: Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) can also lead to increased gurgling and rumbling noises as the stomach muscles contract more vigorously to move contents along.
Stomach noises are typically harmless and are a normal part of the digestive process. However, if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, or changes in bowel habits, it may indicate an underlying digestive issue that requires medical attention.
Bowel Cancer Stomach Noises
If you have bowel cancer, you may begin noticing more frequent or louder stomach noises. That’s because bowel cancer can affect digestion and bowel movement patterns. Tumors that form in the large intestine (colon cancer) or rectum (rectal cancer) can partially block stool passageways, leading to a buildup of gas and fluid in the intestines. This added pressure results in louder gurgles and rumbles as the intestines contract to push contents through narrowed spaces.
Bowel cancer stomach symptoms:
- Changes in bowel movement frequency or consistency
- Constipation and/or diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in the stool
- Unintended weight loss
When Should I Be Worried About Stomach Noises?
Occasional stomach gurgling is normal, but there are certain scenarios in which new or worsening noises can be cause for concern. Pay attention to your stomach sounds and be aware of any notable changes in frequency, volume, or type. Bowel cancer stomach noises are more likely to happen frequently and persistently.
See your doctor promptly if any of the following apply:
- You have very loud stomach noises that occur routinely throughout the day, especially if they are accompanied by pain or changes in bowel habits. This can indicate a gastrointestinal issue.
- Your stomach makes repetitive squeaking, tinkling, or other unusual high-pitched sounds. This may be caused by a partial blockage in the intestines.
- You have loud bubbling stomach noises combined with bloating, abdominal swelling, and difficulty passing gas. This can signify difficulty moving stool and gas due to narrowed intestines.
- Any increase in gurgling is paired with symptoms like cramping, bleeding from the rectum, or recurrent diarrhea or constipation. These digestive red flags warrant further evaluation.
- You have unintended significant weight loss along with bowel changes and increased borborygmi. This combo raises concern about health conditions ranging from infection to inflammatory bowel disease to cancer.
When loud or excessive stomach growling is new for you and persists often, keep an eye out for other worrisome signs related to digestion, bowel movements, pain levels, and more. Stay observant of your overall health. Catching subtle changes early makes a difference in both cancer treatment and less serious gastrointestinal illnesses. Contact your doctor with any lingering concerns.
How to Stop Stomach Noises?
While waiting to see a physician, you can try some self-care tips to help hush a gassy, gurgling stomach:
- Slow down eating and take smaller bites
- Reduce intake of carbonated beverages
- Limit consumption of dairy, beans, cabbage, onions, artichokes, pears, apples, soda
- Try gas relief supplements like activated charcoal
- Take a walk after eating to encourage digestion and gas passage
- Put a warm heating pad on your stomach
- Drink ginger, peppermint, or chamomile tea
- Do yoga poses (like knees-to-chest) to gently massage abdominal organs
- Relax and destress through meditation, deep breathing, soothing music
Controlling noises and flatulence can be challenging but there are ways to find some relief, especially if symptoms are mild. However, make sure to still follow up with your physician about any persisting digestive issues. Tracking your symptoms and bringing a log to appointments also helps doctors identify patterns and possible diagnoses. Stomach noises coupled with related concerns should be evaluated promptly for proper treatment.
Stomach growling is commonly harmless but bowel cancer stomach noises do warrant awareness. Mild or occasional gurgling is to be expected during digestion. However, a sudden increase in loud and frequent stomach noises can signal gastrointestinal issues needing medical attention – ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to gastroenteritis to bowel cancer in more serious cases.
Look out for borborygmi paired with symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or bowel movement changes. This combination may warrant a consult with your physician to find out the cause behind your digestive discomfort. Don’t ignore new or worsening stomach noises in hopes that they’ll go away on their own. Seek evaluation to rule out underlying illness, especially if you have risk factors like a family history of colon cancer.
Bottom Line
In the meantime, try simple home remedies to quiet a noisy, gassy stomach. Adjusting your diet, exercising, reducing stress, and taking over-the-counter supplements can provide some relief. But be cautious about excessive flatulence, bloating, or sharp pains persisting. Track your symptoms, bowel habits, pain levels, and BM characteristics to best inform your doctor. Catching early warning signs makes a difference in detecting and treating gastrointestinal problems before they advance – whether it’s bowel cancer, IBS, infection, or something else.
Do you have any personal experiences or insights to share regarding stomach noises and digestive issues? Feel free to leave a comment below.
