Borborygmus

Borborygmus (plural borborygmi, pronounced \ˌbȯr-bə-ˈrig-məs\; from Greek borborugmos) is a rumbling or gurgling noise that occurs from the movements of fluid and gas in the intestines. This process may occur in animals, including humans. Most individuals identify this condition merely as stomach rumbling or gurgling, but there is much more behind the noise. The sound occurs due to gases in the body that flow through the small intestine. Waves of muscle contractions move the foods and gases through your digestive system. The food is pushed against the intestinal wall, which induces the noise. The process of these contractions is also known as peristalsis, and are the ultimate cause of borborygmus.

Etymology

Borborygmus is related to the sixteenth-century French word borborygme, but goes further back into history with the Greek word borborugmos. Both terms of different origins have similar meanings. The Greek came across the word from its onomatopoeic value.

Other causes

A few other causes of borborygmus:

• Incomplete digestion of food can lead to excess gas in the intestine. In humans this can be due to incomplete digestion of carbohydrate-containing foods including milk and other dairy products (lactose intolerance or the use of α-glucosidase inhibitors by diabetics), gluten (protein in wheat, barley, and rye) (celiac disease), fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and high-fiber whole grains. In rare instances, excessive abdominal noise may be a sign of digestive disease, especially when accompanied by abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. Some examples of diseases that may be associated with this symptom include carcinoid neoplasm and celiac sprue.

• Louder forms of borborygmus may occur when one is hungry. Around 2 hours after your stomach has been emptied, it sends signals to your brain, which tells the digestive muscles to restart peristalsis. Food that was left behind after the first cycle is swept up, and the vibrations of your empty stomach cause hunger. Appetite plays a big role in this situation. Peristalsis reoccurs about every hour, and your appetite will cause 10-20 minute food cravings.

• Borborygmus can form further along the gastrointestinal system when air is swallowed due to talking, eating, and drinking. This phenomenon occurs in most people and is typical.

• Consuming high fiber foods such as cabbage or beans can produce more gas because they are harder to break down.

Diseases and conditions

• Celiac disease is a condition that prevents the small intestine from absorbing parts of food that is needed to stay healthy. The cause is unknown. Consuming foods with gluten is what's dangerous about this disease. Villi helps absorb nutrients from food, but when gluten is consumed, the immune system attack these villi as a result. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and lactose intolerance.

• Colitis is swelling of the large intestine. There are many different forms of colitis, such as cytomegalovirus, cryptosporidium, necrotizing, and pseudomembranous colitis. The usual causes of colitis is infection and lack of blood flow. Symptoms may include bloody stools, chills, dehydration, diarrhea, and fever.

• Diverticulitis is a condition where small bulging sacks, usually found in the large intestine, become inflamed or infected. The most possible cause is a low-fiber diet. Processed food is where most people go wrong in their daily diets. Diverticulitis is usually seen in about half the American population over the age of 60. Symptoms may include bloating, fever, and nausea.

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder in the lower intestinal tract. IBS is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is more common in women and it usually occurs during early adulthood. There are many risk factors such as emotional stress and a low-fiber diet. The best way to treat this disorder is by changing diet and exercising.

Diseases/conditions	Treatments
Celiac disease	Lifelong gluten-free diet. Avoid anything containing wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.
Colitis	Depends on the cause of the disease. If caused by inflammation, colitis is treated with medicines such as ganciclovir and valganciclovir. If caused by infection, treat with nitazoxanide(medicine). If caused by lack of blood flow, it is treated with a liquid diet and antibiotics.
Diverticulitis	Depends on how severe symptoms are. If symptoms aren't too bad, treat by: Getting plenty of rest Using a heat pad while sleeping Taking pain medications Drinking only fluids for a couple of days, then build up slowly with harder liquid, and eventually actual food. If symptoms are somewhat severe, doctors would provide antibiotics. Avoid foods such as beans and peas along with coarse grains and dried fruits. Limiting consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol would also be a great gesture.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome	Regular exercise and improved sleep habits can help relieve symptoms. Although IBS differs from person to person, dieting helps. Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine Avoid large meals Increase the consumption of fiber throughout the day (helps constipation, but bloating may be an issue) Medicines: Bisacodyl to treat constipation Loperamide to treat diarrhea Lubiprostone for constipation symptoms Rifaximin as an antibiotic

Non-medical usage

Publications

The word borborygmic has been used in literature to describe noisy plumbing. In Ada, Vladimir Nabokov wrote: "All the toilets and waterpipes in the house had been suddenly seized with borborygmic convulsions". In A Long Way Down (New York: Harper, 1959, p. 54), Elizabeth Fenwick wrote: "The room was very quiet, except for its borborygmic old radiator"

See also

• Flatulence