Scenario 1
In quiet occasions, a beep is suddenly released (beep, but only once)
Scenario 2
Stomach growling in quiet situations (loud and continuous, every few minutes)
Which is more awkward?
(Hint: You can try to “hold” the fart, but there is no way to stop the belly!)
Many people have suffered a lot of embarrassment because of their growling stomachs:
(Source: Zhihu Question)
In this article, Zhimei will talk about the stomach growling. There are really 4 situations to pay attention to, be sure to watch the end!
In most cases, your stomach growls because your stomach is working as hard as you do.
At this time, don’t blame your stomach. After all, working hard is considered “embarrassing” and your stomach will be sad.
The way the intestines work is “peristalsis”. With the peristalsis of the intestines, the gas and liquid in the intestines will move, resulting in the “sound of gas passing through water”, which is intestine Beep[1].
It’s like a sloshing sound when you shake an underfilled mineral water bottle. A little grunting noise is normal when your bowels are working.
However, bowel sounds are generally not very loud and can only be heard through a stethoscope or with the ear to the belly, or in very quiet conditions.
Bowel sounds are more pronounced after a meal, the sound is more high-pitched, and the frequency is slightly increased [2].
When you are hungry, there is less food and more air in your stomach, and a “hunger contraction“[3] occurs.
At this time, the stomach will make a “gurgling” sound to remind us to remember to eat and rest on time.
(Source: giphy.com)
If you’re healthy and your stomach growls because you’re “hardworking” at work, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
(Tips from Zhimei: You can forward this article to the circle of friends generously to let everyone know that your belly is the “excellent employee” in your belly.)
But if you really don’t want your stomach to growl all the time, you can try the following 3 methods to improve:
1
Chew slowly to reduce air swallowing
It’s easy to swallow a lot of air if you’re talking while you eat, or if you’re gobbling down.
The swallowed gas is running around in the belly, and it will make a “gurgling” sound.
So, It’s important to eat slowly if you want to keep your stomach from growling!
Also, avoid chewing gum, drinking carbonated beverages, etc., as air is also more likely to be swallowed when eating these foods.
2
Eat less “gas-producing” foods such as sweet potatoes and beans
Foods like sweet potatoes, soy products, and potatoes can increase gas production.
If you eat too much of this type of food, it will not only make your stomach growl, but also make you fart more, and you will experience the two embarrassing situations at the beginning of the article.
3
Clockwise rub your belly
Abdominal massage can play a role in promoting intestinal peristalsis. If the stomach is always groaning, it can be moderately relieved by rubbing the stomach clockwise.
However, if your stomach is growling when you are not hungry, or accompanied by other discomfort, your stomach is sounding the “alarm”.
The following four types of situations require vigilance:
1
Acute gastroenteritis: frequent cooing, but constant pitch
When certain bacteria or viruses infect the intestinal tract, they will destroy the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells, resulting in abnormal secretion function and nutrient absorption dysfunction [4].
At this time, the peristalsis of the intestines is accelerated, and the pitch of the bowel sounds does not change, only the frequency increases, which is called “active bowel sounds”.
Similar conditions can occur after taking laxatives, or when there is heavy bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
2
Intestinal obstruction: high-pitched, even metallic sound
In patients with mechanical intestinal obstruction, because the gas in the intestine increases, the intestinal lumen expands and the intestinal wall is tight, the tone of the bowel sounds will be louder and higher-pitched, and there is even a kind of metal friction. such a sound [2].
If bowel obstruction persists, bowel sounds may be reduced. However, if the situation of abdominal distension, gas and defecation still persists at this time, you should seek medical attention in time.
3
Lactose intolerance: Grumbling stomach when drinking milk
In my country, more than half of the people suffer from “lactose intolerance”[5].
People who are lactose intolerant may have stomach rumbling, stomach ache and diarrhea when they drink milk.
This is because our body regards the lactose in milk as a “harmful substance” and produces an immune response [6].
If you are also a member of the “lactose intolerance” army, you can prefer hydrolyzed lactose milk or yogurt, and don’t force milk.
4
Functional gastrointestinal disease: frequent abdominal bloating, bloating, diarrhea, etc.
“Functional gastrointestinal disease” refers to the presence of definite gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal distension, but no organic lesions or abnormal biochemical indicators.
These diseases include functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.[7].
Functional dyspepsia will slow down the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, and the food stays in the gastrointestinal tract for a long time, and they will always feel full and eat. There is nothing, and the stomach still growls or “burps” frequently [8].
Patients with diarrhea-type or mixed irritable bowel syndrome often have diarrhea accompanied by constant rumbling of the stomach.
If it is one of the above 4 situations, you may not be able to solve it by your own efforts. It is best to seek professional help such as doctors and nutritionists in time.
Finally, I wish you who see here, have a “working up” belly, eat well, drink well, and be healthy!
Reviewer
Li Peng | Chief Physician, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You’an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
References
[1] Pan Huafeng, Gong Guanwen, Liu Xinxin, Chu Yaqin, Zhang Zhang, Wang Gang, Jiang Zhiwei. Clinical application of continuous bowel sound auscultation recorder based on artificial intelligence [J]. Chinese Medical Journal, 2020,100(40):3157-3160.
[2] Wan Xuehong, Lu Xuefeng. Diagnostics (9th edition). People’s Health Publishing House, 2014. p173.
[3] Tu Qiang. The effect of blood glucose concentration and hunger contraction on the feeling of hunger[J]. Physiological Science, 1983(06):43-45.
[4] Li Mingyuan, Xu Zhikai. Medical Microbiology (3rd Edition). People’s Health Publishing House, 2015. p138-139+338
[5] Chen Jian, Sai Xiaoyong. Research progress of lactose intolerance [J]. Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, 2016, 37(02): 299-302.
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[6]Di Rienzo T, D’Angelo G, D’Aversa F, et al. Lactose intolerance: from diagnosis to correct management[J]. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013; 17 Suppl 2:18-25.
[7]Tang Chengwei, Zhang Shutian. Internal Medicine Division of Gastroenterology. People’s Health Publishing House, 2015. p115-116.
[8] Huang Qian, Zhou Bo, Cai Ting, et al. Research progress on the treatment of functional dyspepsia [J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Internal Medicine, 2021, 41(12): 1064 -1068.
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