Day: May 13, 2018

And they just keep coming…. 

 

I first learned about this diagnoses when a patient presented to clinic with a complaint that his stomach was rumbling at random times during the day. Well, if there’s anything I’ve learned about the medical world, it’s that something as simple as “you’re hungry so eat” was probably not going to be the diagnosis. Of course the patient then went on to say that the growling was present regardless of whether or not he had eaten (go figure, right?). Later on in the visit the provider was better able to identify the cause by listening to bowel sounds during an abdominal physical exam. It must have had a distinct sound because it wasn’t long until the diagnosis of “borborygmus” came. As a scribe I’m not allowed to participate in any type of patient care but I wish I could have heard what it sounded like.

 

It was later explained to me by the provider that this was a term used to describe noise from the abdomen that is caused by gas moving through the intestines.¹ The gas is produced by certain strains of bacteria in the intestines.² As it’s propelled through the intestines, it’s mixed with food and fluids and it’s this movement that produces the sound known as borborygmus.³

 

 

You’ll actually be surprised at how common this diagnosis can be. I can’t particularly remember the first time I heard it, but I’ve seen ample patient’s since then that come in complaining of this. The condition itself is characterized by unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women on areas like the face, chest and back. It can be caused by excess male hormones called androgens, which can be produced during puberty or by other medical conditions that cause hormone imbalances.⁴ Of course, this condition makes certain women feel uncomfortable. There are several ways patient’s I’ve encountered look to treat their condition, including oral contraceptives and electrolysis. However, most seem to opt for self-care methods like waxes to manage their condition.