# Stomach rumble

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Noise produced by gastrointestinal system

Medical condition

Stomach rumble Other names borborygmus A doctor listening to a patient's bowel sounds using a stethoscope applied to the patient's abdomen Specialty Gastroenterology

A **stomach rumble**, also known as a **bowel sound**, **peristaltic sound**, **abdominal sound**, **bubble gut** or **borborygmus** (pronounced [/ˌbɔːrbəˈrɪɡməs/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English); plural **borborygmi**), is a rumbling, growling or gurgling noise produced by movement of the contents of the [gastrointestinal tract](/source/Gastrointestinal_tract) as they are propelled through the [small intestine](/source/Small_intestine) by a series of [muscle contractions](/source/Muscle_contraction) called [peristalsis](/source/Peristalsis).[1] A trained healthcare provider can listen to these intestinal noises with a [stethoscope](/source/Stethoscope), but they may be audible enough to be heard with the naked ear as the fluid and gas move forward in the [intestines](/source/Intestines) (in the vicinity of, but not actually within the [stomach](/source/Stomach)). The lack of bowel sounds can occur with [ileus](/source/Ileus), [intestinal obstruction](/source/Intestinal_obstruction), or other pathologies, but there is no evidence that [listening](/source/Auscultation) for their absence is useful for diagnosis.[2]

## Etymology

The scientific name borborygmus is related to the 16th-century French word *borborygme*, itself from Latin, ultimately from Ancient Greek βορβορυγμός (*borborygmós*). The Greek term is probably [onomatopoetic](/source/Onomatopoetic) in origin.

## Other causes

Other causes of stomach rumbles:

- Incomplete digestion of food can lead to excess gas in the intestine. In humans, this can be due to incomplete digestion of carbohydrate-containing foods, including milk and other dairy products ([lactose intolerance](/source/Lactose_intolerance) or the use of [α-glucosidase inhibitors](/source/%CE%91-glucosidase_inhibitor) by diabetics), gluten (protein in wheat, barley, and rye) (coeliac disease), fruit, vegetables, beans, legumes, and high-fiber whole grains. In rare instances, excessive abdominal noise may be a sign of digestive disease, especially when accompanied by abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, [diarrhea](/source/Diarrhea) or [constipation](/source/Constipation). Some examples of diseases that may be associated with this symptom include carcinoid neoplasm and [coeliac sprue](/source/Coeliac_sprue).[1]

- Louder rumbles may occur when the individual is [hungry](/source/Hunger_(physiology)). The sound of air moving around the [lumen](/source/Lumen_(anatomy)) of the stomach is amplified by the empty space. Around two hours after the stomach has been emptied, it sends signals to the brain, which tells the digestive muscles to restart peristalsis in a wave called the [migrating motor complex](/source/Migrating_motor_complex). Food left behind after the first cycle is swept up, and the vibrations of the empty stomach - accompanied by the 'hunger hormone' [ghrelin](/source/Ghrelin), which is also produced by the stomach when it is empty[3] - produce the physical sensation of hunger. [Appetite](/source/Appetite) also plays a big role in this situation. Peristalsis recurs about every hour, and one's appetite may cause 10- to 20-minute food cravings.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- Stomach rumbles can form further along the [gastrointestinal system](/source/Gastrointestinal_system) when air is swallowed while talking, eating, and drinking. This phenomenon occurs in most people and is typical.[4] Stomach rumbles may also occur due to [carbon dioxide](/source/Carbon_dioxide) moving through the stomach and intestines following the consumption of [carbonated drinks](/source/Soft_drink).[5]

## Diseases and conditions

- [Celiac disease](/source/Celiac_disease) is a condition that prevents the small intestine from absorbing parts of food that are needed to stay healthy. Consuming food containing gluten is dangerous for people with this disease: [Intestinal villi](/source/Intestinal_villus) help to absorb nutrients from food, but when gluten is consumed, the immune system attacks these villi as a result. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, and bulky or foul smelling stools.[6]

- [Colitis](/source/Colitis) is swelling of the large intestine. The many different forms of colitis include [cytomegalovirus](/source/Cytomegalovirus) or *[Cryptosporidium](/source/Cryptosporidium)* infection, and [necrotizing](/source/Necrotizing) and [pseudomembranous colitis](/source/Pseudomembranous_colitis). The usual causes of colitis are infection and lack of blood flow. Symptoms may include bloody stools, chills, dehydration, diarrhea, and fever.[7]

- [Diverticulitis](/source/Diverticulitis) is a condition where small bulging sacs, usually found in the large intestine, become inflamed or infected. The most probable cause is a low-fiber diet. About half the American population over the age of 60 have diverticulosis, which is the presence of such sacs that may become infected. Symptoms may include bloating, fever, and nausea.[8]

- [Irritable bowel syndrome](/source/Irritable_bowel_syndrome), a disorder in the lower intestinal tract, is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as [abdominal](/source/Abdominal) pain and [diarrhea](/source/Diarrhea). It is more common in women and it usually occurs during early adulthood. There are many risk factors such as emotional stress and a low-fiber diet. These can all cause stomach disorders.

Diseases/conditions Possible Prescribed Treatments Celiac disease Lifelong gluten-free diet, avoid anything containing wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats Colitis If caused by inflammation, it is treated with medicine. If caused by infection, it is treated with an antiprotozoal agent. If caused by lack of blood flow, it is treated with a liquid diet and antibiotics. Diverticulitis If symptoms are minimal, treat by: Getting plenty of rest. Using a heat pad while sleeping. Taking pain medication. Drinking only liquids for a few days, then build up slowly with harder liquid, and eventually solid food. Avoid foods such as beans and peas along with coarse grains and dried fruits. Limiting consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol is recommended. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Regular exercise and improved sleep habits can help relieve symptoms. Although IBS differs from person to person, dieting helps. Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine. Avoid large meals. Increase the consumption of fiber throughout the day (helps constipation, but bloating may be an issue).

## Nonmedical usage

The word *borborygmic* has been used in literature to describe noisy plumbing. In *[Ada](/source/Ada_or_Ardor%3A_A_Family_Chronicle)*, [Vladimir Nabokov](/source/Vladimir_Nabokov) wrote: "All the toilets and waterpipes in the house had been suddenly seized with borborygmic convulsions". In *A Long Way Down* (New York: Harper, 1959, p. 54), Elizabeth Fenwick wrote: "The room was very quiet, except for its borborygmic old radiator".[9] [Graham Greene](/source/Graham_Greene)'s [short story](/source/Short_story) "[Alas, Poor Maling](/source/Alas%2C_Poor_Maling)" tells the tale of a luckless individual whose borborygmus takes the form of irritating noises that he has recently heard.

The word *borborygmus* has also been used in journalism to describe political turbulence. In an article in *[The Atlantic](/source/The_Atlantic)*, [Graeme Wood](/source/Graeme_Wood_(journalist))[10] used the word to describe the effects of mass refugee migration into Europe: "Central Europe had to digest a massive refugee flow from Syria and Afghanistan, and the resulting borborygmus upended European politics and enabled a populist wave that has yet to crest."

## See also

- [Flatulence](/source/Flatulence)

- [Ileus](/source/Ileus)

- [Migrating motor complex](/source/Migrating_motor_complex)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HSW_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HSW_1-1) Toothman, Jessika (30 April 2008). ["Causes of Stomach Growling"](http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/stomach-growling1.htm). HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 7 February 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Baid_2-0)** Baid, Heather (8 October 2009). ["A critical review of auscultating bowel sounds"](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19966732/). *British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)*. **18** (18): 1125–1129. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.12968/bjon.2009.18.18.44555](https://doi.org/10.12968%2Fbjon.2009.18.18.44555). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0966-0461](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0966-0461). The practice of auscultating bowel sounds is not evidence based, and there is a lack of supporting research on the topic... Review of the literature on auscultating the abdomen calls into question the clinical significance of bowel sounds.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Watson, Stephanie. ["What Is Ghrelin?"](https://www.webmd.com/obesity/what-is-ghrelin). *WebMD*. Retrieved 2025-06-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Govender, Serusha. ["Why Does My Stomach Growl?"](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/why-does-my-stomach-growl). *[WebMD](/source/WebMD)*. Retrieved 2019-03-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Why does my stomach make noise after I eat?"](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-does-my-stomach-make-noise-after-i-eat). *www.medicalnewstoday.com*. 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2025-02-14.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Celiac disease - sprue"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110204183026/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001280). *A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia*. PubMed Health. January 20, 2010. Archived from [the original](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001280/) on February 4, 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Colitis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110205062123/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002112). *A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia*. PubMed Health. October 16, 2011. Archived from [the original](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002112/) on February 5, 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Diverticulitis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110205042345/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001303). *A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia*. PubMed Health. April 16, 2012. Archived from [the original](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001303/) on February 5, 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Borborygmus"](http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-bor1.htm). World Wide Words. 1998-10-12. Retrieved 2013-10-26.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Wood, Graeme (2020-11-23). ["Biden's Sleepily Reassuring Appointments"](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/11/bidens-sleepily-reassuring-appointments/617186/). *The Atlantic*. Retrieved 2020-11-24.

v t e Physiology of the gastrointestinal system GI tract Upper Exocrine Chief cells Pepsinogen Parietal cells Gastric acid Intrinsic factor Foveolar cells HCO3− Mucus Processes Swallowing Vomiting Gastric emptying Fluids Saliva Gastric acid Gastric acid secretion Gastrin G cells Histamine ECL cells Somatostatin D cells Lower Endocrine/paracrine Bile and pancreatic secretion Enterogastrone Cholecystokinin I cells Secretin S cells Glucose homeostasis (incretins) GIP K cells GLP-1 L cells Endocrine cell types Enteroendocrine cells Enterochromaffin cell APUD cell Exocrine cell types Goblet cells Fluids Intestinal juice Processes Segmentation contractions Migrating motor complex Borborygmus Defecation Enteric nervous system Submucous plexus Myenteric plexus Either/both Processes Peristalsis (Interstitial cell of Cajal Basal electrical rhythm) Gastrocolic reflex Digestion Enterocyte Accessory Fluids Bile Pancreatic juice Processes Enterohepatic circulation Abdominopelvic Peritoneal fluid

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Stomach rumble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach_rumble) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach_rumble?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.