The rumbling stomach, also known as *borborygmi*, is something we’ve all experienced. These small, sometimes embarrassing sounds are usually harmless. However, some people mistakenly believe it's a disease and are convinced to buy costly, even dangerous, treatments that may ultimately cause more issues than the rumbling itself. Let’s explore what you really need to know on the subject.

Understanding Stomach Rumbling

Stomach rumbling is simply related to digestion. These noises come from muscle contractions in the stomach and intestines that push food, liquids, and gas along the digestive tract. They are often more noticeable when the stomach is empty, as there’s less to muffle the sound. Contrary to popular belief, these sounds are normal and common for most people.

Certain factors, however, can make these sounds louder, such as a fiber-rich diet, slow digestion, or swallowing air while eating. In some cases, digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or a food intolerance may cause more frequent or intense borborygmi, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a disease.

Associated Symptoms: Should You Worry?

Borborygmi can sometimes come with mild symptoms, such as:

- Bloating

- Mild stomach discomfort

- Temporary digestive issues, like constipation or diarrhea

- Light intestinal spasms

In most cases, these symptoms are not concerning and will resolve on their own. However, certain more serious signs may indicate an underlying health issue that requires medical attention, such as:

- Intense, persistent abdominal pain

- Persistent digestive issues

- Blood in the stool

- Inability to pass gas

These symptoms may signal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal blockage, or more serious illnesses such as Crohn's disease. If you experience these, it’s essential to see a doctor who may refer you to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation. Diagnosis may include a consultation with the doctor, an abdominal examination, and sometimes additional tests like blood and stool analyses, a colonoscopy, a CT scan, or MRI. If a food allergy is suspected, allergy testing may also be performed.

The Dangers of Non-Medical Advice

Some unscrupulous practitioners claim that borborygmi are a disease and offer expensive treatments to make them go away. It’s important to be cautious of these offers, as untested products can disrupt the digestive system and lead to side effects like diarrhea, stomach pain, or infections. In reality, in most cases, borborygmi are simply a sign of normal digestion, and there’s no need to take special treatments to reduce them.

In extreme cases, improper treatment can worsen the situation, and some people end up with complications like intestinal wall perforations or even peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal lining requiring emergency surgery. To avoid this, always trust a qualified doctor if unusual symptoms persist, and avoid treatments that are not medically recommended.

Simple Tips for Reducing Borborygmi

If you want to reduce borborygmi without medication, a few dietary and lifestyle adjustments may help:

- Limit gas-producing foods (beans, chickpeas, lentils, cabbage).

- Avoid carbonated drinks like soda, beer, and even sparkling water.

- Eat slowly and chew well to reduce air intake and aid digestion. Spend at least 20 minutes on each meal.

- Avoid chewing gum, as it promotes swallowing air.

- Drink digestive herbal teas (chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint-licorice, verbena, fennel) that aid digestion.

- Gently massage your stomach in a clockwise direction to help with digestion.

These simple habits can help reduce gas production in the digestive system, limiting bothersome noises. If necessary, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals, or laxatives can be prescribed by a doctor, though these medications should be used with caution.

And If These Sounds Stop? When to Be Concerned

It’s normal to experience rumbling occasionally. However, a complete absence of sound in the stomach or intestines may, in rare cases, indicate a problem. Complete silence in the digestive system can be a sign of intestinal obstruction, a serious condition where the digestive tract is partially or fully blocked.

If a blockage persists, it can lead to a severe condition: perforation of the intestinal wall. In extreme cases, this can lead to peritonitis, a dangerous inflammation of the abdominal lining that requires emergency surgery. However, these cases are rare, and in most situations, digestive silence is temporary or due to a brief slowdown in the digestive process.

Stomach rumbling is not a disease but a natural sign that your digestion is working. While certain symptoms may need medical attention, borborygmi are usually harmless. Avoid spending on unnecessary treatments and remember that this phenomenon is a normal part of your body’s function.

Feel free to discuss this topic with others to spread the message and help everyone understand that these sounds are natural.