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Stomach gurgling, described as the uncomfortable feeling when your stomach feels like it will erupt, can help you determine what is happening in your body. It occurs when food, gas, and liquids pass through the stomach and travel into the small intestine. Stomach gurgling typically occurs when you eat too quickly or when you eat something that does not agree with your system. If it becomes a recurring theme, it can signify a digestive problem.
Causes of Stomach Gurgling
Stomach gurgling can result from something as simple as hunger or gas build-up, or it may indicate a digestive disorder. Let’s take a look at some common causes of stomach gurgling.
- Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity – Celiac disease happens when the immune system overreacts and attacks the lining of the small intestine after someone consumes gluten. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a common food sensitivity that triggers widespread inflammation in the digestive tract. Gluten is a protein in various grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. Avoiding gluten may help relieve stomach gurgling.
- Food Intolerance—A food intolerance occurs when the immune system becomes confused and starts attacking your digestive tract after you consume a specific food, causing symptoms such as a gurgling stomach. If you experience frequent stomach gurgling, a food sensitivity test may be advisable. You can also keep a food diary and try to pinpoint foods that may be causing your discomfort. Remove these foods from your diet to see if they relieve your symptoms.
- Food Poisoning—Food poisoning occurs when you consume contaminated food. The most common causes are bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemicals, and mold. One of the biggest concerns related to food poisoning is dehydration. Until you begin to feel better, it will help to choose a drink with electrolytes, take a probiotic supplement, and eat a bland diet that is gentle on your stomach.
- Gas—Eating too quickly can cause you to swallow too much air, resulting in excess gas. Take a few deep breaths before you dig into your meal to counteract this. Then, take your time, chew your food well, and focus on eating to decrease the air you swallow.
- GERD—GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when the muscle between the stomach and esophagus does not properly close, which allows stomach acids and the contents in your stomach to flow upward into the esophagus. Being overweight, smoking, and consuming too much caffeine, alcohol, or fried foods can worsen GERD. Eat smaller meals, lose excess weight, and stop smoking to help prevent and relieve GERD.
- Hunger—The first thing to consider when your stomach gurgles is how long it has been since you have eaten. Hunger is one of the most common reasons for stomach gurgling. If you have not eaten in a few hours, try eating a small meal to see if it relieves your stomach gurgling.
- Indigestion—Indigestion causes a burning sensation in the upper stomach, a churning or gurgling sensation, gas, nausea, and a feeling of being too full after eating only a small amount of food. Most people take an antacid to relieve their indigestion; however, several natural remedies can also help, including peppermint tea, chamomile tea, apple cider vinegar, ginger, fennel seed, licorice root, baking soda, and lemon water.
- Irritable Bowel Disease—Irritable bowel syndrome affects approximately 15 percent of the US population. IBS causes symptoms including bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and stomach gurgling. Increase your fiber consumption, eat regularly, exercise daily, and eliminate foods that cause stomach pain.
- Stress – Did you know that the brain and gastrointestinal tract share many of the same nerve connections? There is a gut-brain connection. Because of this, when you experience stress, it can significantly impact your digestive system. When stress hormones are released, they can cause digestive problems, including stomach-churning, nausea, and indigestion. Stress relief techniques can decrease the stress levels in your body and reduce stomach gurgling.
- Viral Gastroenteritis – Viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, occurs when an infection in the intestines develops. When you have this infection, it can cause watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramping, and gurgling. Eating a bland diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and resting will help you overcome viral gastroenteritis.
Natural Remedies for Stomach Gurgling
Something as simple as hunger or gas can cause stomach gurgling; however, a medical condition can also cause it. If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss, fever, dehydration, severe pain, vomiting, or diarrhea, it is advisable to contact your functional medicine provider immediately. Some natural remedies include-
- Ginger—For thousands of years, Ginger has been used in natural medicine to relieve a variety of digestive woes. If you are experiencing stomach gurgling, try some ginger. Ginger provides antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory protection to reduce gas, improve digestion, and relieve nausea.
- Probiotics – Probiotics are living bacteria that benefit the digestive tract. You can find them in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut. A probiotic supplement can help fill your digestive tract with probiotics to improve your overall gut health.
- Stretching—Yoga or stretching has been shown to help relieve gurgling and trapped gas in the digestive tract. Massage your ascending and descending colon by lying flat on your back. Then, hug your right knee into your chest and deep breath three times. Repeat this on the left side.
Get Relief from Digestive Disorders
Stomach gurgling is never pleasant. Most of the time, it causes temporary discomfort and resolves itself. However, if you experience persistent stomach gurgling, it can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Our functional medicine experts specialize in digestive health and can help identify the root cause of your stomach gurgling. We will create a customized treatment plan to help heal your gastrointestinal tract and relieve your stomach gurgling. This plan may involve adjustments to your diet and lifestyle.
