Why Does My Stomach Make Noises? What's Normal And When To Seek Help

Introduction

Speaker: Dr. Eva Alsheik, Gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Health
Topic: Understanding the causes of stomach noises, how to reduce them, and when to seek medical help.
Normalcy: Stomach noises are normal unless accompanied by other symptoms like pain, nausea, or changes in bowel habits.

Borborygmi: These are normal intestinal sounds due to digestion.
Peristalsis: Movement of food and gas through intestines, causing noises that can be heard by a doctor using a stethoscope.
Factors Increasing Stomach Noises:
- Certain Foods:
  - Dairy products (lactose intolerance)
  - Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
  - Cruciferous vegetables (Brussel sprouts, cauliflower)
  - Artificial sweeteners (sorbitol, fructose)
- Air Swallowing:
  - Drinking through straws, carbonated beverages, smoking
- Bacteria Overgrowth:
  - Dysbiosis can cause increased gut sounds and symptoms.
- Stress:
  - Anxiety affects digestion and can increase symptoms.

Dietary Changes:
- Avoid or reduce foods causing noises or discomfort.
Natural Remedies:
- Use ginger chews, peppermint, cinnamon.
Probiotics:
- Increase favorable bacteria through probiotics or foods like yogurt, kefir.
Stress Management:
- Meditation and breathing exercises to reduce stress before it worsens digestion.

Symptoms to Monitor:
- High-pitched stomach noises
- Abdominal pain, cramping
- Bloating, nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea, constipation
Potential Disorders:
- Intestinal blockage, inflammatory bowel disease
- Malabsorption disorders (e.g., celiac disease)
- Motility disorders (nerve or muscle coordination issues in digestion)

For more information on gastrointestinal care or to schedule an appointment, visit henryford.com or call 1-800-436-7936.
Dr. Eva Alsheik is the Director of the Center for Motility Disorders at Henry Ford.