Does your stomach make gurgling sounds? Do you feel like its diarrhea? How is this related to pregnancy especially during the second and third trimester? You may also experience a gurgling sound in your stomach after eating or in the night. What does this mean?
Below we are going to look at gurgling stomach, and diarrhea for a week, noisy stomach in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. We will also establish whether a noisy stomach is a pregnancy sign, what causes the noise after eating, pain, at night, noisy stomach in dogs, as well as home remedies that can be used to relieve the symptoms.
A noisy abdomen does not necessarily indicate that you are hungry. Your digestive system often produces sounds that are known as Borborygmi. The sounds are produced when fluids or air is moving around your large or small intestines.
The sounds will be present regardless of whether your stomach is empty or full. Around two hours after your stomach has been emptied, your brain signals the digestive muscles to start the peristalsis process again, resulting in a gurgling stomach.
The vibrations and contractions of an empty stomach can make you go hungry. Additionally, the sounds produced by your gurgling stomach could end up being louder. This is because the intestines and the stomach are empty, and the noise that is being created is therefore not muffled.
What causes your stomach to make gurgling sounds?
There exist several reasons for the gurgling stomach sounds. Gastrointestinal tract contents are pushed by the strong muscular contractions of your gut wall. Gurgling therefore is a result of the fluid content that is inside the bowels.
Even when you consume solid foods, the juices that are present inside your bowels and stomach, as well as the copious amounts of water that have been secreted into your intestines to assist in the digestion process will result in large amounts of fluids being present within your gut. Additional causes include:
1. Over-activity within your gut
Your gut can become hyperactive or overactive for a number of reasons. Understandably, an increase in your bowel activity will result in louder gurgling sounds coming from within your bowel and stomach. Normally, this is something that is seen in food poisoning and in gastroenteritis.
These are two acute conditions where your bowel has become irritated by toxins or microorganisms. Various chemicals that are associated with food poisoning, excessive alcohol intake, as well as medication that can irritate your gut can also lead to hyperactivity occurring in your bowels. There are instances where hyperactivity is not caused by any medical condition.
Psychological stress and anxiety have also been known to alter your bowel activity. This is where you will be able to not only hear the movements, but you also get to feel them as well. Functional bowel disorders, e.g., diarrhea may also present with bowel hyperactivity.
2. Blockage within your gut
The movement of chime, waste, fluids, and foods through your bowels should always be unobstructed. But, in the event that there is an obstruction in your bowels, the location where there is a narrowing could cause the unusual sounds to be produced. When there is a complete blockage, the gut contents will not be able to move and the sounds will, therefore, diminish or disappear altogether.
However, when tumors, foreign bodies and strictures partially block the bowel or the stomach, these contents are forced to squeeze through this narrowed area. As a result, the gurgling stomach sounds will be enhanced.
3. Excess fluids and gas
Presence of any excess fluid or gas inside your bowels will normally contribute to alterations occurring in your stomach. Carbonated beverages and swallowing air are the primary causes for the buildup of excess gas within your bowels. But, there are instances where bacteria may also be responsible for the presence of excess gas in your bowels.
Bowel infections and bacterial overgrowth occurring with certain bacteria will result in the formation of large amounts of gas in your gut. Normally an individual will report flatulence or excessive belching. The presence of large amounts of gas is not because of taking too many beverages.
The fluids present in the bowel required for digestion and absorption processes are secreted into your bowels from the walls. Often, the fluids are reabsorbed back into your body inside the colon ensuring that stool remains firm but soft. In the event that too many fluids have been produced and have not be reabsorbed back to your body, the gurgling sounds will become more evident.
4. Abnormal digestion and absorption
When you consume beverages and foods, they are first digested thereby breaking them down into smaller and much simpler compounds. This paves way for them to be absorbed into your body. The small residual nutrients and wastes that cannot be absorbed by your body are then evacuated.
The digestion process begins in your mouth before continuing through large portions of your gut. Maldigestion is the inability to digest certain types of food. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients, the process is known as malabsorption.
Many people refer such problems as food intolerances. The nutrients that have not been absorbed as well as the food that has not been digested can cause various problems. They can draw out water which would then lead to buildup of excess fluids in your gut.
Gurgling stomach early pregnancy sign
When you are pregnant, your body will naturally have very high levels of the progesterone hormone. The hormone often relaxes the smooth muscle tissue that is present all over your body. This will include the gastrointestinal tract.
Relaxation of this smooth muscles will slow down your digestive process. A slow down results in the flatulence, gas, burping, bloating, and a gurgling stomach. Additionally, it can lead to the creation of uncomfortable sensations all over your abdomen after taking a heavy meal.
Gurgling stomach and diarrhea for a week
There are a number of sounds that can emanate from your gastrointestinal tract. The sounds are in many cases not audible although it is possible to hear the gurgling and rumbling that can also be heard by other people close to you. But, there are situations where bowel over-activity may cause the production of loud, recurrent abdominal sounds.
The sounds are still considered to be normal even in such instances unless accompanied by additional symptoms, e.g., diarrhea.
Reasons for gurgling stomach and diarrhea
Diarrhea is mainly comprised of:
- Inflammation of your bowel wall by toxins or microbes
- Bowel hyperactivity with rapid contractions
- Excess water that is not being properly absorbed by your gut
The above factors when combined will ultimately lead to the gurgling stomach sounds and diarrhea for one week. Presence of excess gas in your intestines is a common occurrence that is often accompanied by diarrhea.
Gurgling stomach pregnancy during second trimester
Many women find the second pregnancy trimester to be much easier than the first one. There is a likelihood that symptoms that were initially present in the first trimester, e.g., fatigue and morning sickness will go away. Other changes will also start to occur in your body.
The abdomen will be expanding as you gain extra weight. Your baby will also continue to grow. The pains and aches experienced in the first trimester will however still be present.
According to the National Women’s Health Information website, there are certain symptoms that may appear during your second trimester. They include:
- Pain in your thighs, abdomen, and groin
- Itching in your palms and feet soles
- Backaches
- Stretch marks
- Shortness of breath
- Gurgling stomach sounds—these occur in the eighteenth week and are caused by movement of blood and fluid through your abdomen.
Gurgling stomach during 3rd trimester
The third trimester is often the hardest for many women. You will have started to feel pregnant by this time. This is the time when you will also end up gaining a lot of weight, and the aches and restless nights will also be on the increase. You should start feeling the movements being made by the baby by the onset of the seventh month.
Movements range from small flurry movements to bucking kicks. The gurgling stomach sounds are also likely to increase during this period. The sounds will have been caused by the presence of excess fluids and gas in your gut.
Gurgling stomach after eating
Movement of foods and fluids through your gut is a coordinated but forceful process. Your strong muscle contractions will constantly be churning food before pushing it via your gut. Even though there are normal sounds that are expected after taking a meal, you will at times feel sounds that are loud and excessive even when you do not have a disorder or bowel condition.
Carbonated beverages are one of the major contributors to this problem. The increased gas levels inside your bowel will further contribute to the gurgling sounds. Additionally, eating your food too fast or swallowing air while drinking or eating could also lead to increased gas levels in your bowel.
Certain foods are said to be gassy as they release large amounts of gas in your gut once they are digested. Such foods will increase flatulence and belching. However, the gas that is present in your bowels will also cause excessive bubbling and gurgling sounds.
Gurgling stomach at night
Bowel sounds are in many cases deemed to be a natural occurrence. But, frequent and unusually loud sounds at night could be an indication that there is an underlying condition in the digestive system. Even though the sounds are not a cause for alarm, they may indicate an underlying problem when they are accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Feelings of fullness
- Excess gas
- Sudden weight loss
- Fever
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Bloody stools
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Frequent diarrhea
The gurgling sounds you are hearing are mainly caused by the movement of liquids, food, air, and digestive juices through the intestines.
Gurgling stomach in dogs
The rumbling noise in your dog’s stomach is normal and occurs when gas starts moving from one side of the intestines and on to the other. It is not uncommon for gas to be present inside the intestines. Additionally, the intestines will regularly engage in activities that move the contents inside them from one side to the other.
It is therefore considered normal for gas to be moving around in the dog’s intestines. There are cases where your dog may produce abnormally loud gurgling. The noise in such cases can be heard across a room.
Even though such sounds are not considered to be exactly normal, they do not always mean that there is a crisis that should be taken care of. There are times when they may indicate that something is wrong in the dog’s intestinal tract. There are also times when they are caused by nothing more but normal hunger.
Gurgling stomach and pain
The tummy or abdomen is made up of very many organs, e.g., the bladder, stomach, liver, and intestines. If you notice rumbling accompanied by pain, it may be caused by an upset tummy—or it could be a sign that there is something wrong.
What causes minor abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain may be caused by food movement across your intestines and stomach. It could also be caused by the presence of gas or over consumption of food. Additional causes of minor tummy pain are:
- Changing hormone levels when breastfeeding or when pregnant
- Mild food poisoning
- Menstruation
- Anxiety and stress
- Inflammation of the stomach lining
The tummy pain can be accompanied by belching, vomiting or nausea, gurgling stomach, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite and urinary problems.
Why does my stomach keep gurgling?
In order for you to hear your intestines, there are three conditions that must be present:
- Presence of gas within your intestines
- Liquid presence in the intestines
- Muscular contraction of your intestinal walls
A growling or rumbling stomach may be a source of embarrassment for many people when they are out in public. The sounds will often seem to be very loud to the people who are experiencing them at the moment. But, there are many such noises that are actually inaudible.
When you are awake, your intestines will move rhythmically to contract and relax as they mix the food with the various secretions present. You may hear the occasional rumble as the mixing process is going on. It will be important to differentiate rumbling stomach sounds from other sounds such as bloating, passing wind, and belching.
Gurgling stomach remedies
Here are the remedies for a gurgling stomach. They include:
1. Drink plenty of water
Consuming lots of water will naturally prevent a gurgling stomach. You should, however, keep in mind that the tap water may contain fluoride or chlorine. Either of the two elements may contribute to rumbling stomachs in some people.
2. Maintain a healthy diet
Taking a fiber rich diet will assist in reducing the rumbling symptoms. Rather than eat big meals, you should consider taking smaller meals spaced out during the day. It will ensure that your stomach remains satisfied while providing it with enough time to digest all the available food.
3. Do not smoke or drink alcohol
Chemicals found in both alcohol and cigarettes can irritate your stomach. For instance, alcohol contains acid, while cigars prevent or hamper the production of the protective stomach mucus. They can, therefore, lead to severe stomach pain accompanied by the rumbling sounds.
4. Maintain proper hygiene
Your body is at constant risk of being affected by dangerous bacteria. It is something that may contribute to a bug, stomach flu, or a virus. You must, therefore, ensure that you maintain proper hygiene by washing your hands on a frequent basis.
5. Take herbal tea
Chamomile and peppermint tea provide your stomach with a soothing sensation. The tea can also assist in speeding up your digestion process.
Gurgling stomach treatment
Based on the causes discussed earlier, you should follow these tips to prevent your stomach from gurgling. They include:
- Instead of skipping meals as a dieting measure, you should instead cut back on your calorie intake
- Take your time to chew food properly when eating
- Ensure you take at least eight glasses of water each day
- Try yoga or meditation as a way of reducing your stress or anxiety levels
- Make sure you cut back on the number of carbonated drinks you consume each day
It is recommended that you see your medic if you suspect that you have a stomach disorder or an intestinal disorder. Ensure you provide all the accompanying symptoms during the consultation.
Gurgling Stomach Remedies – Video
Article Resources:
http://www.doctortipster.com/17199-stomach-gurgling.html.
http://www.healthhype.com/some-reasons-for-gurgling-stomach-and-bowel-sounds.html
http://www.newhealthguide.org/Gurgling-Stomach.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/326182-why-is-my-stomach-gurgling/.
