Causes and Explanations of Gut Rumbling Before Sleep

Many people may notice a gurgling sound from their stomachs while lying in bed before going to sleep. This can be puzzling and unclear as to what's causing it. In fact, this phenomenon is known as bowel sounds. It often occurs when the intestines are excited or when there are issues with the intestines, such as gastroenteritis, gastritis, or indigestion.

1. Reasons for Gut Rumbling Before Sleep

Firstly, the constant gurgling sound in the stomach before bedtime can be attributed to normal physiological factors. This is medically referred to as bowel sounds. This occurs because the organs, blood, gases, and other parts of the body are in an active state, causing them to flow and collide with each other. As the body enters a state of rest during the night, the movements of the organs slow down. The intestines are relatively empty at bedtime, resulting in more active air movement and thus inducing bowel sounds.

For this reason, there is no need for excessive intervention. It is sufficient to maintain good physical conditioning and keep the body healthy.

Secondly, the gurgling sound in the stomach before sleep can also be a symptom of an underlying illness. If a person has certain gastrointestinal diseases, these diseases can affect the function of the organs and intestines, leading to frequent bowel sounds. Diseases that commonly cause this symptom include gastroenteritis, gastric disease, and intestinal ulcers.

2. Explanations of Bowel Sounds

Bowel sounds refer to the intermittent snoring sounds produced by the movement of gases and liquids within the intestines. Under normal conditions, bowel sounds occur approximately four to five times per minute, which is relatively low and gentle. A doctor can hear these sounds using a stethoscope.

Abnormal bowel sounds usually indicate gastrointestinal discomfort, which is common after acute gastroenteritis, the use of laxatives, or gastrointestinal bleeding. If the frequency and intensity of bowel sounds increase, accompanied by abdominal pain, it is often associated with mechanical obstructions. Additionally, conditions such as constipation in the elderly, peritonitis, electrolyte imbalances, low gastrointestinal motility, or pseudo-obstruction can weaken the bowel sounds and reduce their frequency.