What is the sound of gurgling? Exploring the Causes of Body Noises

September 25, 2025 •

3 min read

The human body is a symphony of sounds, and according to doctors, the common rumbling from the gut, known as borborygmi, is a natural and healthy part of digestion. What is the sound of gurgling? The noises can come from multiple places, including the intestines and lungs, and range from harmless to potentially serious depending on their location and accompanying symptoms.

Quick Summary

Gurgling is a bubbling or rumbling sound caused by the movement of gas and fluids, most commonly in the intestines during digestion (borborygmi) but also in the lungs due to airway congestion. The nature and location of the sound can help determine if it is a normal bodily function or a symptom requiring medical attention.

Key Points

Normal Digestion: The most common cause of gurgling is the normal movement of gas and fluids through the intestines during digestion, medically termed borborygmi.
Empty Stomach: Gurgling can be louder when the stomach is empty, as there is nothing to muffle the sounds of muscle contractions.
Respiratory Congestion: In the lungs, gurgling (rhonchi) can be caused by air passing through airways congested with mucus or secretions.
When to be Concerned: Persistent or unusual gurgling, particularly when accompanied by pain, bloating, or changes in bowel movements or breathing, warrants a medical evaluation.
Underlying Conditions: Excessive or absent bowel sounds can sometimes signal more serious issues, such as intestinal blockages or inflammatory bowel diseases.
Lifestyle Remedies: For normal digestive gurgling, eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, and managing stress can help reduce the noise.

Gurgling in the Digestive System: The Sound of Digestion

The most familiar type of gurgling comes from the digestive tract and is medically known as borborygmi. These rumbling or growling sounds are produced by the rhythmic contractions of the gastrointestinal (GI) muscles, a process called peristalsis, which moves food, liquids, and gas through the stomach and intestines. The hollowness of the intestines amplifies these sounds, making them audible, much like water echoing through pipes.

Factors Influencing Normal Borborygmi

Several everyday factors can influence the volume and frequency of these normal digestive sounds, including hunger, which causes stomach muscle contractions; the digestive process after eating; swallowing air from habits like drinking carbonated beverages or eating quickly; and consuming certain foods like high-fiber items or those with hard-to-digest carbohydrates that increase gas production.

When Digestive Gurgling Signals a Problem

While usually benign, changes in bowel sounds, particularly with other symptoms, can indicate an underlying issue. Doctors use a stethoscope to listen to abdominal sounds, assessing if they are decreased (hypoactive) or increased (hyperactive).

Hyperactive bowel sounds might suggest diarrhea, food intolerances, gastroenteritis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Hypoactive or absent sounds can indicate serious problems like a bowel obstruction or ileus.

Gurgling in the Lungs: A Sign of Respiratory Issues

Gurgling from the chest signifies respiratory problems. This low-pitched, continuous sound is medically termed 'rhonchi' and occurs when air passes through airways narrowed by mucus or other secretions.

Causes of Lung Gurgling (Rhonchi)

Rhonchi can be caused by various respiratory conditions:

Pneumonia: Infection causing fluid in the lungs.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Progressive disease with airway inflammation and mucus.
Cystic Fibrosis: Genetic disorder causing thick mucus buildup.
Bronchiectasis: Permanent airway widening where mucus collects.

Gurgling in the Throat and Neck

Gurgling can also occur in the throat or neck. While a baby's gurgle is normal, in adults, it might indicate difficulty swallowing or an obstruction, sometimes called a "wet voice." Conditions like a Zenker's diverticulum, a pouch in the throat that traps food, can cause gurgling during swallowing [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/zenkers-diverticulum/symptoms-causes/syc-20355209].

Understanding the Differences: Digestive vs. Respiratory Gurgling


Feature	Digestive (Borborygmi)	Respiratory (Rhonchi)
Location	Abdomen (stomach and intestines)	Lungs and airways
Accompanying Symptoms	Bloating, gas, pain, changes in bowel habits	Coughing, shortness of breath, chest congestion
Effect of Coughing	None	May temporarily clear or change the sound
Medical Term	Borborygmi	Rhonchi (or sonorous wheezes)
Associated Conditions	IBS, Celiac disease, Gastroenteritis	COPD, Pneumonia, Cystic Fibrosis

What to Do and When to See a Doctor

For normal digestive gurgling, try lifestyle changes like smaller, frequent meals, staying hydrated, chewing slowly, avoiding trigger foods and carbonated drinks, and managing stress.

Consult a doctor if gurgling is accompanied by symptoms such as persistent or severe abdominal pain, significant changes in bowel habits, bloating, fever, blood in the stool, or unexplained weight loss.

If respiratory gurgling occurs with shortness of breath, chest pain, or a persistent cough, seek prompt medical attention. A healthcare provider can examine you and recommend tests to determine the cause.

Conclusion

Gurgling sounds can signify normal or abnormal processes. The location and associated symptoms are key to understanding their meaning. Normal digestive gurgling indicates a functioning gut, while respiratory gurgling can point to airway issues. Recognizing these signals and seeking medical advice when needed is vital for health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical term for the rumbling or gurgling sounds made by the stomach and intestines is borborygmi. It is a normal physiological process associated with digestion.

Yes, it is often normal for your stomach to gurgle loudly. This is especially common when you are hungry or after eating, as the movement of gas and fluids is amplified by the empty space or digestive activity.

While most gurgling is harmless, it can sometimes indicate a more serious issue, especially when accompanied by other symptoms. For example, loud, persistent digestive gurgling with pain, bloating, or changes in bowel movements may indicate a problem like IBS or a bowel obstruction.

Gurgling sounds in the lungs, known as rhonchi, are caused by air passing through airways that are narrowed or blocked by mucus or other secretions. Conditions like pneumonia, COPD, or cystic fibrosis can cause this.

To reduce stomach gurgling, you can try eating smaller, more frequent meals, staying hydrated, and avoiding foods and drinks that cause gas, such as legumes, carbonated beverages, and some artificial sweeteners. Eating slowly can also help prevent swallowing excess air.

Your stomach can gurgle even when you're not hungry due to the ongoing digestive process. It could also be from excess gas from swallowing air or the fermentation of certain foods by gut bacteria. Some digestive disorders can also cause gurgling.

You should see a doctor if gurgling sounds are accompanied by symptoms like severe or persistent abdominal pain, bloating, chronic diarrhea or constipation, fever, or bloody stool. For lung gurgling, seek medical attention if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain.