Borborygmi is what we call that occasional rumbling sound that your tummy makes. You might have heard them when you are hungry or just after you have eaten. There is nothing to be panicked about in hearing some occasional rumbling.
It is quite a normal part of your digestive function. But if you feel like the noises are persistent along with some other major symptoms then you must check in with your doctor and confirm that everything is indeed safe with your system.
Understanding Bowel Cancer
Colorectal cancer commonly known as bowel cancer is the kind of cancer that affects your colon and rectum. It is very treatable when diagnosed early on. Usually, this cancer starts off as polyps or noncancerous growth in your bowel. However, it is also possible that all polyps do not develop into cancer. But it is best to eliminate them to avoid any risks. Bowel cancer can affect any gender, ethnicity, or age.
People with a family history of this cancer and those who have bad eating habits must be extremely careful and do screenings. If you see some symptoms then it is best to take action as soon as possible.
Some alarms that you should not ignore are blood in your stool, bleeding rectum, pain and a hard lump in your stomach, sudden weight loss, strange bowel movements, and extreme fatigue. Bowel cancer does cause stomach noises but they cannot be considered definitive symptoms of this medical condition.
Does bowel cancer cause stomach noises?
Yes, it can. Bowel cancer may cause you to experience some stomach noises. When there are tumors or cancerous growths in your colon or rectum it can mess with the movement of fluids, gas, and solids.
Cancerous growths can also interfere with the normal functions of the digestive system. This can result in abnormal contractions and movements that may create some noise. These noises can become more prominent after you have eaten a meal as the growths can disrupt the movement of food through the intestines.
The frequency and intensity of these noises are affected by factors like the location of the tumor, diet, medication as well as stress. So yes, bowel cancer can cause stomach noises. However, this stomach noise alone cannot be used to diagnose this medical condition.
Other causes of stomach noises
Stomach noises are a very common phenomenon and are most often part of the normal digestive process. Food, fluids, and gas are moving through your intestines and this can cause some noise. In some cases, you might hear noises when you are hungry as there is no food in your system to tone down the noises.
Certain medical conditions can also be the reason for the noise. For example, irritable bowel syndrome or IBS can cause bloating, cramps, irregular bowel movement, and stomach noises. Gastrointestinal infections caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses could also be the reason behind it as they can interfere with the normal function of the digestive system.
Bowel diseases like the Chrons can result in inflamed intestines. If you are consuming foods that you are sensitive to, like dairy, gluten, etc that may cause excessive gas buildup and result in some tummy noises.
How to treat stomach noises?
If you feel like the stomach noises are a bit concerning and persistent. Then you can try introducing some lifestyle changes and adjustments to your diet. Find the food groups that trouble your tummy and cause you bloating cramps, or other difficulties.
Eliminate or decrease the consumption of them and see if it is making any difference. Another tip is to chew your food thoroughly and eat smaller portion sizes so that your food can be properly digested. Sucking on straws can also exacerbate stomach noises so try not doing that. Exercise is good for your body in multiple ways and improving the function of your digestive system is one among them.
Smoking can cause you to swallow more air and this can also create more stomach noises. Hence avoided doing that as well. You can also try anti-gas OTC medications that may help with this issue and reduce bloating.
When to consult a doctor?
Stomach noises can be unharmful in the majority of the situation. But if you feel like the noises are way too much and quite often along with various other symptoms then it will be a good idea to check in with your doctor and see what is really going on.
The symptoms to look out for include abdominal pain, changes in bowel movement, and rapid weight loss. Intense cramping, excessive swelling or bloating of the tummy, feeling nauseated, vomiting tendencies, losing your appetite, and feeling tired all the time are also concerning.
If the stomach noises are turning a bit high-pitched then that should be taken seriously as well as it may signal a grave issue like intestinal blockage. If you see the symptoms mentioned above then your doctor may be able to diagnose any gastrointestinal issue that is affecting your well-being.
Conclusion
Stomach noises are extremely common. They are usually unharmful and you may hear it when you have eaten or when you are extremely hungry. However, you may have to consult your doctor if you are observing any additional symptoms along with your stomach rumbling. Check out for symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, etc. If you have a family history of bowel cancer attend regular screening to be safe.
FAQs
The early signs of bowel cancer include changes in bowel movement, blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, and iron deficiency.
You may have to worry if you see blood in your poop, abnormal changes in your bowel movement, frequent gas, bloating and other abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, and nausea.
Yes, it can. Colon cancer can cause your stomach to gurgle. However, it is not a definitive symptom of this medical condition.
Symptoms of last-stage bowel cancer include severe and persistent pain, extreme weight loss, heavy bleeding in the rectum, visible tumors, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
No, actually. Stomach noises alone are not considered an early sign of bowel cancer. It is pretty normal to hear some rumbles or gurgles occasionally. You only have to be bothered about these stomach noises if they are persistent and are accompanied by other uncomfortable symptoms.
