THE YOU DOCS Elimination diet may help quiet belly

Q: Lately my stomach has been growling a lot, sometimes before and sometimes after I eat. Is there something wrong with me, and should I get it checked? Chris H., Poughkeepsie,

New York

A: If you’re not having any pain, chances are you’re experiencing simple borborygmi. The word sounds like a growl and comes from the Greek, borborugmos, which means “to have a rumbling in the bowels.” It can happen when you’re hungry, as part of a normal digestive process, or from indigestion.

When you’re hungry, your stomach and intestines release acids and enzymes to prepare for the arrival of food. That can make a sound, and it’s easier to hear when your stomach is empty.

If it happens when or just after you eat, your borborygmi is probably the sound of food and liquid passing from the stomach to the small intestine.

If it happens well after you’ve eaten, it’s probably indigestion. All pretty normal.

However, if it becomes a persistent problem and you’re feeling pain and have nausea, flatulence (gassiness) and/or diarrhea along with the growls, it’s time to see a gastroenterologist. The doc can determine if there is an underlying medical cause.

Possible triggers include food allergies or intolerances and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You can also see if an elimination diet helps quiet your belly. That means you cut out certain foods, and then after a week or so you see if the symptoms go away. Then you reintroduce food and see if they reoccur.

You might start with eliminating dairy. Around 65% of people have some form of lactose intolerance, which is caused by a lack of the digestive enzyme lactase. If you think dairy is the culprit, you can opt for lactose-free “milks” made from soy or almonds and other nuts. (It’s a trend: U.S. whole milk consumption has plummeted by 40% over the past four decades.) So don’t worry too much, and see a gastroenterologist if you have persistent discomfort.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Medical Officer at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. Submit your health questions at www.doctoroz.com.