A growling stomach can be frustrating and embarrassing, especially while sitting in a quiet area surrounded by people. Stomach growling is known as borborygmi. It happens when air and gas travel through the intestines. Usual causes include hunger, digestion problems, and intolerance to certain foods. It is not worrying, but if you have frequent digestion problems, you can consult the Best Gastroenterologist in Islamabad for evaluation. In most cases, your stomach growls when gas moves through empty intestines, creating a growling noise indicating hunger.
How to stop your stomach from growling?
1. Avoid being hungry
Many diets these days require periods of starvation and can lead to growling in the stomach. Eating a little bit or eating foods with zero to no calories, such as cucumbers, can help stop your stomach from making noises. Dividing your meals from three meals a day to smaller portions of four to six meals can prevent your stomach from making grumbling sounds. While you swallow your food, these noises are likely to die down.
2. Drink water
Drinking water is a viable solution to stop stomach growling if you cannot eat anything due to availability or diet. Water can fill up the stomach and also improve indigestion. It is not advisable to drink gallons of water altogether, as it can lead to bloating and gurgling noises from the stomach. Instead, keep your hydration levels up by drinking water throughout the day. As a bonus, drinking sufficient water will keep your body temperature normal and keep you healthy. You can also add more water-based foods to your diet, such as cucumber.
3. Avoid intolerant foods
People who are allergic to some foods, such as dairy and nuts, may face digestion issues when they consume them. Identify the foods that cause digestive problems, and avoid foods that cause your stomach to make strange noises. Food intolerances can also cause your stomach to become gassy and mess up your digestion.
4. Chew slowly and thoroughly
Take your time to chew your food. Gulping your food without properly breaking it down can lead to digestive issues, such as gas, bloating, constipation, etc. When you chew your food, your body produces digestive enzymes that aid in digesting your food. Moreover, it also prevents stomach growling.
5. Control your portions
Eat a moderate meal that satisfies your hunger, but not so much that you feel full. Overeating can lead to digestion problems and pave the way for obesity. Eat smaller portions throughout the day to avoid any gastric issues due to overeating. Portion control is also a great way to manage your weight through diet. A healthy weight lessens the chances of a growling stomach due to issues with digesting food. Additionally, eating slowly also prevents you from eating more than you need.
6. Reduce sugary and acidic foods
Eating foods with high amounts of sugar, especially sorbitol and fructose, can upset your stomach. Similarly, acidic foods or drinks can also result in grumbling noise from the stomach. Try to limit such foods to reduce stomach growling.
7. Avoid gas-triggering foods
Some foods can create more gas in your stomach, including beans, fatty foods, whole grains, etc. Limiting the consumption of trigger foods can lessen the frequency of stomach growling. Each person may react differently to certain foods, so try eliminating one at a time to know what is causing you to be gassy.
8. Do not lie down after a meal
Go for a walk or do light activities after meals to digest your meals. It speeds up the process of emptying your stomach and stops your stomach from rumbling. It is an effective way to stay away from stomach growling and indigestions. However, it is not advisable to do intense exercise as it can be a little too much for your stomach to handle.
9. Manage stress
A stressful situation can trigger your stomach and make it growl. Regardless of whether your stomach is full or empty, anxiety can cause stomach growling. You may notice that it happens more often before a test or job interview. It is because you feel anxious.
10. Treat the problem
Severe causes of borborygmi can be due to an underlying gastric condition, such as an intestinal blockage. If the growling comes with other symptoms, it may be a good idea to consult the Best Gastroenterologist in Rawalpindi. Once you get treatment for the underlying condition, it can ease the growling stomach too.
Conclusion
A growling stomach, also known as borborygmi, can cause discomfort and embarrass you around people. The above tips can help you decrease the strange noises your stomach makes when you are hungry.