Health Encyclopedia

Abdominal sounds

Definition

Abdominal sounds are the noises made by the intestines.

Alternative Names

Bowel sounds

Considerations

Abdominal sounds (bowel sounds) are made by the movement of the intestines as they push food through. Since the intestines are hollow, bowel sounds can echo throughout the abdomen much like the sounds heard from water-pipes.

The majority of the bowel sounds are harmless and simply indicate that the gastrointestinal tract is working. A doctor can evaluate abdominal sounds by listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope (auscultation).

Although the majority of bowel sounds are normal, there are some instances in which abnormal bowel sounds provide valuable information about the health of the body.

Ileus is a condition in which there is a lack of intestinal activity. Many medical conditions may lead to ileus, but it is important to evaluate it further because gas, secretions, and intestinal contents can build up and rupture the bowel wall. The doctor may be unable to hear any bowel sounds when listening to the abdomen.

Reduced (hypoactive) bowel sounds include a reduction in the loudness, tone, or regularity of the sounds. They indicate a slowing of intestinal activity.

Hypoactive bowel sounds are normal during sleep, and also occur normally for a short time after the use of certain medications and after abdominal surgery. Decreased or absent bowel sounds often indicate constipation.

Increased (hyperactive) bowel sounds are sometimes heard even without a stethoscope. Hyperactive bowel sounds reflect an increase in intestinal activity. This can sometimes occur with diarrhea and after eating.

Abdominal sounds are always evaluated together with symptoms such as:

Gas
Nausea
Presence or absence of bowel movements
Vomiting

If bowel sounds are hypoactive or hyperactive, along with abnormal symptoms, continued evaluation by a health care provider is important.

For example, absent bowel sounds after a period of hyperactive bowel sounds are significant and can indicate a rupture of the intestines, or strangulation of the bowel and death (necrosis) of the bowel tissue.

Very high-pitched bowel sounds may indicate early bowel obstruction.

Common Causes

Most of the sounds you hear in your stomach and intestines are due to normal digestion and are no need for concern. Many conditions can cause hyperactive or hypoactive bowel sounds. Most are harmless and require no treatment.

The following are a list of more serious conditions that can cause abnormal bowel sounds.

Hyperactive, hypoactive, or absent bowel sounds:

Blocked blood vessels prevent the intestines from getting proper blood flow. For example, blood clots can cause mesenteric artery occlusion.
Mechanical bowel obstruction is caused by hernia, tumor, adhesions, or similar conditions that can block the intestines.
Paralytic ileus is a problem with the nerves to the intestines. Reduced nerve activity can result from:
- Blood vessel obstruction
- Bowel obstruction
- Chemical imbalances such as hypokalemia
- Infection
- Overexpansion of the bowel
- Trauma

Other causes of hypoactive bowel sounds:

Drugs that reduce intestinal movements such as opiates (including codeine), anticholinergics, and phenothiazines
General anesthesia
Radiation to the abdomen
Spinal anesthesia
Surgery in the abdomen

Other causes of hyperactive bowel sounds:

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if you experience any symptoms such as:

Bleeding from your rectum
Nausea
Prolonged diarrhea or constipation
Vomiting

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history. You may be asked:

What other symptoms are present?
Have you noticed any abdominal pain?
Have you noticed any diarrhea?
Have you noticed any constipation?
Have you noticed any abdominal distention?
Have you noticed any excessive or absent gas (flatus)?
Have you noticed any bleeding from the rectum or black stools?

Depending on the findings of your physical exam, the doctor may order further tests. Tests may include:

Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal x-ray
Blood tests
Endoscopy

If there are signs of an emergency, you will be sent to the hospital. A tube will be placed through your nose or mouth into the stomach or intestines. This empties your intestinal contents. Usually, you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything, so your intestines can rest. You will be given fluids through a vein (intravenously).

You may be given medication to reduce symptoms and to treat the cause of the problem. (The specific medication depends on the situation.) Some people may need surgery immediately.

References

Seidel HM, Ball JW, Dains JE, Benedict GW. Mosby's Guide to Physical Examination. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2006.

Review Date:10/31/2007
Reviewed By:Robert Hurd, M.D., Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.