$Unique_ID{BRK02488}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Can Be Done About Stomach Noises?}
$Subject{stomach growl noise empty gas gases eating digestive system
digestion growling growls eat noises noisy}
$Volume{I-10}
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Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Can Be Done About Stomach Noises?


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QUESTION:  While sitting with a group of friends, my husband's stomach started
to growl, making enough noise to wake the dead.  Talk about being embarrassed!
I can't let this happen again, but don't know what to do for my man.  How can
I make my husband's stomach shut up?

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ANSWER:  The simplest answer I can provide is:  feed the poor man!  The
stomach muscles are always in action, contracting to push the contents on
through to the intestines and additional digestion.  But the sounds are
magnified when the stomach is half empty, only partially filled with fluids
and gas.  This is the condition your stomach is in after several hours without
food.  A drink of a carbonated beverage, or swallowing air during an animated
discussion may also increase the force of the contractions and the sound they
make.  And if meal time is close, with the wonderful smell of food in the air,
the digestive juices flow more abundantly, and the muscle activity increases.
You might have your husband try some vigorous exercise to stop the
contractions, or provide him with a glass or two of water to drink, but the
best bet is to put dinner on the table and start eating.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.