


Bacterial overgrowth often-but not always-gives rise to an increased amount of flatulence ( farting) and even abdominal bloating or distention. The increased amount of gas (and possibly stronger contractions of the intestinal muscles caused by additional distention of the intestine by gas) gives rise to louder borborygmi. In this condition, gas-producing bacteria increase in numbers in the small intestine and produce abnormally large amounts of gas. The cramps stop, gas and fluid continue to collect behind the obstruction, and the abdomen swells.Īnother situation in which borborygmi may be prominent is a condition calledīacterial overgrowth of the small intestine. If the obstruction is not relieved, the muscle eventually gets tired and stops contracting. Unlike normal borborygmi, however, the borborygmi associated with obstruction usually are associated with crampy abdominal pain. Because of the blockage, muscle behind the blockage contracts more strongly and frequently trying to overcome the blockage. Thus, they may occur when there is physical obstruction of the intestine that blocks the transport of the digesting food, for example, by a tumor.
Stomach growl tv#
We also may be more aware of them at night while lying in bed because-at least if the TV is not turned on-it is quiet.īorborygmi may be prominent in a few abnormal conditions.

Because food, liquid, and gas are most commonly present in the intestines after a meal, this is the time when we most frequently are aware of borborygmi. It is the movement of the food, liquid, and particularly the gas that gives rise to borborygmi. Thus the stomach and intestines contain a mixture of digesting food, liquid, and gas.Īs the muscles of the stomach and intestines contract and squeeze their contents, the contents move. Gas also appears in the stomach and intestines either as a result of swallowing air or production of gasses by intestinal bacteria. As part of the process of digestion, fluid is secreted into the stomach and intestines. Different actions of the muscles can cause the food to be ground, mixed, stored, and transported along the length of the intestine and expelled. The muscles are important for digesting food. The stomach and intestines are hollow organs consisting primarily of muscle. The growls, technically called borborygmi (pronounced BOR-boh-RIG-mee), are caused primarily by contractions of the muscles of the stomach and small intestine and, to a lesser extent, by contractions of the muscles of the large intestine (colon). Everyone's stomach growls, some growl more than others.
