After a hard day, you finally relax into bed and start to sleep, but as you doze off… hiss, rumble, grunt, gurgle! With noises that might compete with an orchestra, your stomach decides to put on a full-fledged performance. If your stomach makes noise when you lie down, you’re not alone! This occurrence is common and frequently confusing.
What is Borborygmi?
The rumbling, gurgling, and churning noises produced by your digestive tract are referred to by this fancy medical name. As your gastrointestinal (GI) system breaks down, food, gas, and liquids pass through it, making these sounds.
Peristalsis is the term for the continuous wave-like contraction and relaxation of your digestive system, which is a long, muscular tube. Through the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, food, liquids, and gas are propelled from the esophagus until waste is removed.
Why Does the Noise Increase When You Lie Down?
Here are a few factors that cause the noise to increase when you lie down:
Reduced Distraction
You are continuously exposed to outside noises throughout the day, such as TV, music, traffic, and conversations. These background sounds frequently conceal the faint rumblings in your stomach. Your surroundings become considerably quieter when you lie down in a quiet place, especially at night, which makes even the smallest internal sounds much more audible.
Gravity
Gravity pulls the contents of your intestines and stomach downward when you’re standing up. This gravitational support decreases as you lie down. More freedom of movement allows gas and fluid to mix and shift, splashing about and producing more audible noises.
Digestion in Progress
Your digestive system still actively breaks down your last meal when you lie down. There will be greater activity (and hence more noise) in your gut as it processes more food and drink.
Gas Accumulation
Gas is created during the digestion of food, particularly some types of food. Standing up straight makes it easier for gas to rise and be released (burping or flatulence). Sometimes, lying down makes it easier for gas to be trapped, which raises pressure and makes sounds as the gas tries to pass through your system.
When to See a Doctor?
Think about seeing a doctor if your frequent loud stomach sounds are accompanied by the following:
- Particularly intense or ongoing discomfort
- Bloating with too much gas
- Modifications to bowel habits such as recurrent patterns, constipation, or persistent diarrhea
- Vomiting or feeling queasy
- Acid reflux or heartburn, particularly while you’re lying down
- You have blood in your stool
- Inexplicable loss of weight
Summing Up!
The rumbling sounds you hear when you lie down are typically simply an indication that your amazing digestive system is working hard. But always pay attention to your body, and don’t be afraid to seek medical advice if something feels strange.
If you still have questions regarding your digestive health, you can contact the Gastroenterology Diagnostic Center. Call us at (281) 357-1977 to schedule your appointment.