Bloating is a feeling of fullness, tightness or swelling in your abdomen. It often occurs when excess gas builds up in your digestive tract, pushing against the walls of your stomach and intestines.
You may notice one or more of the following when you're bloated:
Several factors can trigger or worsen bloating:
With a focus on patient-centered care and comprehensive digestive health solutions, GastroDoxs provides expert diagnostics and effective treatment for abdominal distension and related conditions. Our approach is rooted in compassionate, personalized care to help you achieve long-term relief and improved quality of life.
Ready to put bloating behind you? Book an appointment today with our Houston GI specialists and take the first step toward lasting relief.
We've successfully treated more than 4.1K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
"Bloater" is a video game creature from The Last of Us. In real life, however, bloating refers to excess gas or fullness in the digestive tract that can affect anyone-gamers, athletes, and beyond.
Some people experience mild bloating or water retention when starting creatine. It usually subsides after your body adjusts or with proper hydration.
Yes. Probiotics can improve your gut bacteria balance, reducing gas production and easing bloating over time.
Peppermint, ginger, and chamomile teas are popular choices. They have natural antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe digestive discomfort.
In sensitive individuals, coffee can stimulate acid production and gut motility, leading to cramps or bloating. Try reducing intake or switching to lower-acid brews.
Some people find relief by taking a small amount (1-2 teaspoons) of apple cider vinegar diluted in water before meals. However, it may not work for everyone.
Green tea's antioxidants and mild diuretic effect can promote digestion and help reduce mild bloating without added sugars.
Kombucha contains probiotics that may support gut health, but watch out for high-sugar varieties that could worsen bloating.
Mild bloating often resolves within a few hours. If symptoms persist daily or for weeks, a tailored treatment plan may be needed.
Consult a GI specialist if bloating is frequent or accompanied by weight loss, fever, blood in stool, or severe pain-signs that require prompt evaluation.
