Why Your Stomach Makes Loud Noises

Hello, health-conscious friends 👋

Be still my stomach :)

In this post-Christmas but pre-New-Year limbo, many of us are thinking about resets, balance… and yes—our stomachs 😄

No judgment here. Even the most disciplined health lovers eat, sleep, and celebrate sometimes.Moderation is the key. Always.

But let’s talk about that awkward moment:

You’re in a silent room.Suddenly—your stomach roars like it has opinions.

Relax. This is very normal.

Those sounds even have a medical name: borborygmi (and yes, doctors love weird words).

Here’s what’s really happening 👇

🌀 It’s Not Just Hunger

Your digestive system is never truly “off.”Your stomach and intestines constantly move food, liquid, and gas forward using muscle contractions called peristalsis.

When your stomach is full, food dampens the sound.When it’s empty, there’s nothing to muffle it—so the noises get louder.

That’s why stomach growling often happens:

• Before meals

• When you skip food

• Late at night

• During fasting or intermittent fasting

Same movement. Bigger echo.

💨 Gas + Liquid = Noise Amplifier

Contrary to popular belief, stomach noises aren’t just air.

They’re caused by air moving through liquid and digestive contents.

Think of it like this:

• Quiet river → full stomach

• Echoing pipe → empty stomach

Nothing is wrong—your gut is just acoustically efficient.

🧠 Your Brain Is Involved Too

Hunger hormones—especially ghrelin—signal your digestive system to get ready for food.

That signal:

• Increases gut movement

• Speeds up contractions

• Happens even if food never arrives

So yes—your stomach may be prepping for a meal that hasn’t shown up yet.

Awkward… but impressive.

😬 When Stomach Noises Aren’t Normal

Most borborygmi are harmless.But you should speak to a doctor if loud stomach noises come with:

• Persistent or severe abdominal pain

• Ongoing bloating

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Unintentional weight loss

• Vomiting

These symptoms could point to:

• Food intolerances

• Gut infections

• Inflammatory bowel conditions

• Other digestive disorders

Noise alone isn’t the problem—symptoms are.

✅ How to Make Your Stomach Quieter

If stomach sounds bother you, try:

• Eating slowly (less swallowed air)

• Avoiding carbonated drinks

• Staying well hydrated

You’ll often hear advice to eat small, frequent meals—⚠️ But note: this can conflict with intermittent fasting, which I personally consider a cornerstone in the fight against obesity. Just saying 😉

Context matters.

🔍 Bottom Line

Loud stomach noises are usually a sign your gut is:

• Working properly

• Staying responsive

• Doing exactly what it was designed to do

Annoying? Yes.Dangerous? Almost never.

Your stomach isn’t being dramatic—it’s just efficient.

Want more clear, science-based explanations like this?👉 Visit our YouTube channel AskADoc 

and explore more at AskADoc4Advice,where medicine meets curiosity (and a little bit of weird).

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Joanna

AskADoc4Advice