Several benign causes can make noises in the stomach. It may represent a more serious issue, such as stomach cancer, if bloody stool and other unusual symptoms accompany it.

Several cancers can start in the digestive tract, including stomach and colorectal cancers. When a tumor grows, it can begin to cause signs and symptoms, including causing strange noises or blood in the stool.

This article reviews when stomach noises may signal cancer, other warning signs, when to see a doctor, and other possible causes of stomach noises.

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In the early stages of colorectal cancer, a person may not experience any signs or symptoms. However, as it progresses, it can cause symptoms to develop, including potentially causing the stomach to make more noises than usual.

Some stomach noises are normal. They may help signal an issue if other symptoms are present, such as abdominal pain.

Changes in the bowels or tumor growth may cause noise as gas and other substances work through the digestive tract.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer that may appear along with unusual noises may include:

These symptoms may be the result of several different underlying conditions. A person who experiences one or more should consider speaking with a doctor. They can help determine the underlying cause of their symptoms.

They may also experience general symptoms such as:

In some cases, slow loss of blood can lead to low red blood cell counts. A doctor may first discover signs of bowel cancer through a routine blood test that shows a low blood count.

A person may want to contact a doctor if they experience the following:

  • blood in their stool
  • changes in their bowel movements
  • abdominal pain that does not go away

These are common signs of colorectal cancer. However, their presence does not necessarily mean a person has cancer. A doctor can help rule out and determine the underlying cause.

There are several benign reasons a person’s stomach may make noise. They include:

However, if other symptoms exist, such as pain or discomfort, it may indicate the presence of an underlying condition. For example, hyperactive bowel sounds often occur with diarrhea, which makes the noises of muscle movements, liquid, and gas louder in the stomach.

Another possible cause of stomach noises is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis can also cause a gurgling or splashing sound and other gastrointestinal symptoms, which can also occur with Crohn’s disease.

Addressing the underlying cause can help to stop excessive noises from occurring. People concerned about their stomach noises should consider talking with a doctor.

Noise should not be a cause for concern if no other symptoms exist. However, a person can sometimes address them by reducing the amount of fructose and sorbitol in their diet.

These naturally occurring sugars occur in the following foods:

There is no specific treatment for stomach noises. However, a doctor can help determine if another issue is occurring within the digestive tract. They may need to run one or more tests to determine the underlying cause.

Bowel cancer can cause changes in the abdomen and increase the noise a person hears. It will likely start along with other symptoms, such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, fatigue, and changes in bowel movements.

Symptoms of bowel cancer are not specific and may be due to one of several different underlying conditions. Bowel sounds can also occur more frequently to certain sweeteners and other dietary changes.

People should address any underlying condition or change their diet to help reduce their stomach noises.