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What Causes Persistent Growling, Rumbling Movement And Noises In The Stomach?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Oct 2016
Question: hi doctor ive visited multiple doctors about this stomach problem I suffer for now 5 years and i cant just seem to solve it. In the early mornings, i have a lot of stomach growlings, rumblings, movements, and noises which go on throughout the day. When my stomach is not active, i feel these vibrations all throughout my body and it cant stop. This all started 5 years ago when i decided to eat very irregularly; large portions of foods every 30 mins or so and replaced water with milk so i can gain extra weight. I'd also tend to stall myself in the morning because of this theory that not eating breakfast first thing in the morning slows down metabolism. I had a very fast metabolism back then, and i wanted a normal metabolism. Now i regret this decision i made 5 years ago as all these stomach problems are still persistent. Im trying to eat normally, cutting certain foods off my diet and taking several antacids but it just wont work. Below are a list of medications i've tried to so far and the tests. My doctors say its stress dominating my stomach but i dont know how to deal with it and i think it could be something else.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please give details and post actual reports.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
To recapitulate: Male/18 - lot of stomach growling, rumbling, movements, noises, go on throughout the day - 5 years - means when you were 13 - started eating irregularly as explained - large foods - milk - to gain extra weight - vibrations all throughout body when stomach is not active - trying to eat normally now - cutting certain foods - several antacids - just do not work - problems are still persistent - visited multiple Doctors - told about stress dominance - tried Citalopram, rabeprazole, buscopan, lactose intolerant pills, probaclac, various antacids - Tests include: Endoscopy, ultrasound, colonoscopy, blood tests.

Please give few additional information so that we can discuss further:
- Nausea?
- Vomiting?
Bloating?
- Stool: loose/hard, smell, gases, frequency?
- Pain?
- Noticed any certain foods instigating or enhancing the problems?
- Is there any period, say of few days that you feel alright?
- Appetite?
- Sleep?

- Results of the tests you have mentioned?
- Any stool tests?
- Any treatment for worms?
- Does the problem increase with any stress and/or anxiety that you have noticed- say like examinations, decision making situations, sudden sad/bad news and so on?
- Any other history that you would like to share?

Please answer all these questions as it is so that I can assist you better.
Awaiting
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (24 hours later)
Of all the tests conducted, the results were negative. Doctors said nothing wrong with stomach; i have no diseases and such. Im currently taking probalac and buscopan and they are currently not effective. For now, im trying to eat food slowly and having it every 4 hours, and drinking peppermint and lemon ginseng teas as well. It seems the earlier i wake up, these gasses and rumblings become more intense. When my stomach is not rumbling, i have a lot of leg vibrations. Stools are dark brown and they sometimes are small instead of large. I have an upcoming appointment to test for lactose or gluten intolerance and that should determine if i have any allergies. It seems that if i eat pasta, id still feel hungry and id feel alot of of stomach movements. When i eat fried chicken, my stomach would growl and move alot and id feel nauseated. I havent done stool tests and my doctor has not mentioned of parasites. One more thing id like to add is that i feel uncomfortable in quiet situations due to my stomach, and id sleep only if i have my fan on or some background noise active like my ac.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Few more tests if not done yet

Detailed Answer:
Thank for your partial feedback.
Please answer these questions one by one:
- Nausea?
- Vomiting?
- Bloating?
- Stool: loose/hard, smell, gases, frequency?
- Pain?
- Noticed any certain foods instigating or enhancing the problems?
- Is there any period, say of few days that you feel alright?
- Appetite?

I would advise you the following:
- Make a list of the foods and beverages that increase your problems
like you have mentioned about pasta and fried chicken.
Stop eating or drinking these strictly for the time being. This will be a test as well as part of the treatment.
- Make another list of the foods and beverages that suit your stomach perfectly and consume only these things- again for the time being.
Buscopan is effective only if you have pain- if no pain you may please stop it as it is not effective as you have mentioned.

Take multivitamins available in the Pharmacy nearby and ask for another probiotic which may be OTC. Change over from Prebaclac for the time being.

Get the stool tests for 3 consecutive days. This is the most important test as you are suffering from intestinal problems.
Also ask for thyroid function and liver function tests.

These are the standard tests to be done in a person having similar symptoms.
Please get these done and give me the reports so that we can discuss further.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (17 hours later)
I dont usually experience bloating. I have not vomitted for 5 years I believe. I feel nauseous when eating foods such as fried chicken, but milk doesnt. Milk sometimes causes my stomach to growl. I have bowel movements every 2 days or so now since i adjusted my diet, but still lots of gas no matter how small my diets are. My stools are dark brown and small and hard. As far as pain, i dont experience it in my stomach often. I sometimes feel serious cramps towards my anus area when i have to pass gas and this happens often the earlier i wake up. I havent had a normal day in 5 years where my stomach and gas was under control. Its weird sometimes; i wake up in the morning feeling alright and after a few hours i have major stomach/intestine noises regardless if i eat breakfast or not, along with gas. As far as my appetite and hunger, it increased tremendously compared to 5 years ago when i was 14. When i was 14, i was able to sit through 3 classes in a row without worrying about my hunger and stomach. Back then , i'd say i would get hungry every 5 and a half hours or so and my stomach wouldnt get hunger pangs until 5 and a half hours have passed after my last meal or a period of time has passed. Nowadays, i would eat a meal, large or small, and i'd have this feeling in my stomach where id get "hungry" again after 2 hours or so. Id have rumblings in my sides. This feeling then goes away after a couple more hours afterwards.I guess its just my mind controlling my stomach and how i have adapted towards this habit of how i over ate 5 years ago to increase my weight and metabolism, as I mentioned in the beginning of this discussion. There were weeks were i tested not consuming dairy products for a while, weeks not consuming meat, and no rice. Throughout these weeks, the behaviour of my stomach has not changed. When i prepared for my colonoscopy the day before where you had to eat no solid foods, i still had a lot of gas and growlings the next morning. Ive been drinking water only for a month now and so far my stomach is the same; i'd say fried chicken, pasta, and heavy dairy products increases these stomach problems. I am now booking tests for gluten and lactose intolerance and hopefully thyroid tests. Im not very comfortable taking stool tests but i will talk to my parents about these tests im going for. Thank you and hopefully i can back to you soon.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
IBS if all the tests are negative.

Detailed Answer:
Sincere thanks for your detailed feedback.
To recapitulate most salient features:
- stomach/intestine noises regardless you eat breakfast or not, along with gas.
- sometimes feel serious cramps towards my anus area when you have to pass gas and this happens often the earlier you wake up.
- Nowadays, you would eat a meal, large or small, and you'd have this feeling in my stomach where you would get "hungry" again after 2 hours or so.
- remains same irrespective stopping some foods as mentioned by you.
- but no bloating or vomiting
- booking for tests of gluten and lactose intolerance and thyroid.
- not comfortable about stool tests : this is most important one.

- Also discuss about CT scan of the abdomen with Enterography.

Rumbling is indicative of some irritation to the intestines or sub-acute intestinal obstruction. CT with enterography or enteroclysis can help to get you the diagnosis.

Gases can be due to:
- Bacterial imbalance allowing the gas producing bacteria to be dominant.
- Aerophagia is inadvertent swallowing of air, usually due to some stress and/or anxiety.

Please remember, if all the relevant investigations are normal then your problem may be taken as due to IBS, that is irritable bowel syndrome and treated accordingly can help you the most.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (3 hours later)
Ive done tests for endoscopy, ultrasound, and colonoscopy. My gas doctor said all the results were negative. Do i still need to go for a ct scan as you mentioned above? Also, i made a mistake with my stools; its actually dark brown-brownish colour and it is large. No fluidity nor small pieces.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
CT and stool test a must ...

Detailed Answer:
The reasons and reports of all the tests are different as not a single test can tell us everything.
Since you have already undergone the tests they show the following:
Endoscopy for esophagus, stomach and duodenum- normal
Colonoscopy shows the large intestine
Ultrasonography shows some organs like liver, gall bladder, pancreas, genitourinary system and any pathology like enlarged lymph nodes.
The most important part of the abdomen between duodenum and colon is small intestines of about 20 feet long. This is the usual cause of rumbling, gases and all. This is best studies by Contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen. Hence the need.
If this too along with stool, urine and blood tests are normal, the cause of your symptoms can be taken as IBS, to be treated and to get cure. This is possible as you are suffering for the last 5 years, a long time to suffer from.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19779 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Growling, Rumbling Movement And Noises In The Stomach?

Brief Answer: Please give details and post actual reports. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidate history. To recapitulate: Male/18 - lot of stomach growling, rumbling, movements, noises, go on throughout the day - 5 years - means when you were 13 - started eating irregularly as explained - large foods - milk - to gain extra weight - vibrations all throughout body when stomach is not active - trying to eat normally now - cutting certain foods - several antacids - just do not work - problems are still persistent - visited multiple Doctors - told about stress dominance - tried Citalopram, rabeprazole, buscopan, lactose intolerant pills, probaclac, various antacids - Tests include: Endoscopy, ultrasound, colonoscopy, blood tests. Please give few additional information so that we can discuss further: - Nausea? - Vomiting? Bloating? - Stool: loose/hard, smell, gases, frequency? - Pain? - Noticed any certain foods instigating or enhancing the problems? - Is there any period, say of few days that you feel alright? - Appetite? - Sleep? - Results of the tests you have mentioned? - Any stool tests? - Any treatment for worms? - Does the problem increase with any stress and/or anxiety that you have noticed- say like examinations, decision making situations, sudden sad/bad news and so on? - Any other history that you would like to share? Please answer all these questions as it is so that I can assist you better. Awaiting