- Borborygmus
Borborygmus (plural borborygmi) (from Greek "βορβορυγμός") also known as stomach growling or rumbling is the rumbling
sound produced by the movement of gas through theintestine s ofanimals , including humans. The word borborygmus is anonomatopoeia for this rumbling. [American Heritage Dictionary entry for [http://www.bartleby.com/61/2/B0400200.html borborygmus] ]The "rumble" or "growl" sometimes heard from the
stomach is a normal part ofdigestion . It originates in the stomach or upper part of thesmall intestine asmuscle s contract to movefood and digestive juices down thegastrointestinal tract and functions as a sort of intestinal "housecleaning". Sometimes it occurs as part of themigrating myoelectric complex .Although this
muscle contraction happens whether or not food is present, rumbles are more common after the animal has gone several hours withouteating . This may be why a "growling" stomach is often associated withhunger .Rumbles may also occur when there is incomplete digestion of food that can lead to excess gas in the intestine. In humans this can be due to incomplete digestion of
carbohydrate -containing foods includingmilk and otherdairy products (lactose intolerance or the use of α-glucosidase inhibitors bydiabetics ),gluten (protein in wheat, barley, and rye) (celiac disease ),fruit s,vegetable s,bean s,legume s, and high-fiberwhole grain s. In rare instances, excessive abdominal noise may be a sign of digestivedisease , especially when accompanied by abdominalbloating ,abdominal pain ,diarrhea orconstipation . An example of a disease that may be associated with this symptom arecarcinoid tumors.It is thought that some borborygmi can be treated with the ingestion of olive oil, allowing the fatty acids to decrease the muscular contractions of the intestines.Fact|date=July 2008
References
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