Why IBS Symptoms Don’t Go Away: Understanding IBS & Bloating
Nutritional Therapist for IBS, Bloating & Digestive Health in Surrey & London – Ann Shaw
I support clients with IBS and digestive disorders, including bloating, food intolerances and on-going gut health
If you have been told that you have IBS but still experience bloating, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea or unpredictable changes in your digestion, you may understandably be wondering:
“Why aren’t my IBS symptoms going away?”
One of the most frustrating things about IBS is that symptoms can change from day to day.
You may feel relatively well for a while, only to have another flare-up. A food that seemed fine last week may seem to cause discomfort this week. Stress, poor sleep, changes in routine or hormonal changes may sometimes coincide with digestive symptoms too. This can leave you feeling as though you are constantly trying to work out what your body is telling you.
IBS symptoms can often be managed, and understanding the factors that influence your individual symptoms can be an important first step.
IBS is real – but there isn’t one single cause
IBS is a recognised digestive condition and is often described as a disorder of gut–brain interaction. It commonly involves abdominal pain or discomfort together with changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhoea or both. Bloating is also very common. There isn’t one single explanation for why someone develops IBS or why their symptoms may flare.
Different factors can influence the digestive system, including how sensitive the gut is, how quickly food moves through the digestive tract, previous gastrointestinal infections, stress and changes in the gut–brain connection. This is why two people can both have IBS but experience it very differently.
There is no single “IBS diet” or solution that works for everyone.
Understanding your own pattern is much more useful than continually adding foods to a list of things you are afraid to eat.
Why can IBS symptoms keep coming back?
IBS symptoms naturally tend to fluctuate. You may have periods when your digestion is relatively settled, followed by days or weeks when symptoms become more noticeable.
Some common factors that may influence symptoms include:
- Changes in eating patterns or meal timing
- Particular foods or drinks that you personally find difficult to tolerate
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Eating very large meals
- Stress or emotional strain
- Dysbiosis
- Poor or disrupted sleep
- Changes in physical activity
- Changes in routine or travel
- Hormonal changes
- Previous gastrointestinal infection
- Increased sensitivity of the digestive system
This doesn’t mean that every flare-up has an obvious cause. Sometimes symptoms appear even when you feel that you have done everything “right”. That is one of the reasons I encourage people not to blame themselves when their digestion changes.
A flare-up is not a failure.
The gut–brain connection: why stress can affect digestion
Your digestive system and nervous system are in constant communication. This is sometimes referred to as the gut–brain axis. Importantly, this does not mean that IBS is “all in your head”.
It means that the brain and digestive system communicate with one another in both directions. When you are under stress, worried, overtired or not sleeping well, changes in nervous-system activity can affect how the digestive system moves and how strongly sensations from the gut are experienced. For someone with a sensitive digestive system, this may contribute to bloating, abdominal discomfort or changes in bowel habits. This is also why supporting digestion isn’t necessarily about food alone. Sleep, movement, relaxation, eating habits and creating a little more regularity in your day can all form part of a supportive approach.
Could food be contributing to your IBS symptoms?
Food can certainly influence IBS symptoms, but this does not mean that you need to eliminate large numbers of foods. Sometimes people become caught in a cycle of restriction:
“That made me bloated, so I’ll stop eating it.”
Then another food causes a symptom. So that food is removed too. Before long, the list of “safe” foods becomes smaller and smaller. This can be exhausting and can make eating feel stressful rather than enjoyable. Instead, it can be much more helpful to look at the overall pattern.
How regularly are you eating?
Are meals very large?
Are you eating quickly or while rushing?
Are there particular foods or drinks that repeatedly cause symptoms?
Are you becoming constipated?
Are you getting enough fibre and fluids for your individual needs?
These questions can sometimes tell us much more than simply creating a longer list of foods to avoid.
What about a low FODMAP diet?
You may have heard of the low FODMAP diet, particularly if you have searched online for help with IBS. A low FODMAP approach can be helpful for some people with IBS, particularly when general dietary and lifestyle measures have not been sufficient. However, it is not intended to be a permanent, highly restrictive diet.
The usual approach involves a period of reducing certain fermentable carbohydrates, followed by systematic reintroduction to identify individual tolerances. This is important because the long-term goal should be to have as varied and enjoyable a diet as your digestive system allows – not to remain afraid of an ever-growing list of foods. If you are considering a low FODMAP approach, professional dietary guidance can be particularly helpful.
Could something other than IBS be causing your symptoms?
IBS symptoms can overlap with those of other digestive conditions. This is one reason why persistent, new or changing symptoms should not simply be assumed to be IBS without appropriate assessment. Depending on your symptoms and circumstances, a healthcare professional may consider conditions such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal infection or other causes of digestive symptoms. If you have not previously been assessed for persistent digestive symptoms, it is sensible to speak with your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
What about food intolerance or sensitivity?
Some people notice that particular foods appear to trigger bloating, abdominal discomfort or changes in bowel habits. However, it can be difficult to distinguish a genuine food-related problem from symptoms caused by the overall digestive pattern. For example, a food may be tolerated perfectly well at one time but cause symptoms when eaten in a large quantity, during a period of constipation, or when the digestive system is already unsettled. This is why I prefer to look at the whole picture rather than immediately removing foods. Where appropriate, we can explore your symptoms, eating patterns and individual responses to food in a structured way. I find there are a number of allergenic trigger foods that can cause IBS-symptoms and a lot of people include these foods daily in their diets.
IBS and menopause
For women going through perimenopause or menopause, digestive symptoms can sometimes feel particularly confusing. Hormonal changes during this stage of life can occur alongside changes in sleep, stress, mood, appetite and bowel habits. If you have previously had relatively manageable digestion but are now experiencing more bloating, constipation, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort, it can be useful to consider your digestive health within the wider context of this stage of life. This is one of the reasons I have developed my 28-Day IBS & Menopause Support Programme – a gentle, practical approach designed to help women understand their digestive patterns while supporting nourishment and confidence around food.
One patient shared that when she first visited me, she could barely walk from the door to my desk – she felt so unwell. Testing revealed dysbiosis. Once we began treatment, her health gradually returned. Treatment must be tailored to the specific organism(s) found. That is why it is crucial to know exactly what you’re dealing with before starting any protocol.
When should you speak to your GP?
Although IBS is common, it is important not to assume that every digestive symptom is IBS. Please speak with your GP or seek appropriate medical advice if you have symptoms that are new, persistent, changing or worrying you.
Particular symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool or a swelling or lump in the abdomen should be medically assessed. If you have been diagnosed with IBS but your symptoms have changed significantly, it is also worth discussing this with your healthcare professional. Getting appropriate reassurance and assessment can be an important part of feeling more confident about your health.
How I support people with IBS and bloating
My approach begins with listening. Rather than assuming that one particular diet or protocol is right for everyone, I look at your individual symptoms, eating patterns, lifestyle and overall health. Ann Shaw Clinic of Nutritional Medicine offers personalised nutritional support for IBS, digestive health and menopause, with online consultations available across the UK.
Depending on your circumstances, nutritional support may include:
- A detailed review of your health and digestive history
- Looking at eating patterns and potential dietary allergenic triggers
- Supporting regular and nourishing meals
- Practical strategies to support comfortable digestion
- Considering fibre, fluids and lifestyle factors
- Supporting healthy bowel habits, gut microbiome
- Exploring the relationship between stress, sleep and digestion
- Nutritional support during perimenopause and menopause
- Appropriate referral or collaboration with your healthcare professional when needed
- Exploring dysbiosis and pathogens as they can also contribute to or worsen conditions like IBS, IBD, crohn’s disease, colitis, gastritis, autoimmune disorders
- Functional testing where there is a clear clinical reason to consider it
The aim is not to give you another enormous list of foods that you cannot eat. It is to help you understand your own body and gradually regain confidence around food and digestion.
A gentle way forward
If you have been struggling with IBS for a long time, it is completely understandable if you feel frustrated. You may already have tried eliminating foods, following different diets or searching endlessly for the one thing that is “causing” your symptoms. You don’t necessarily need another extreme diet. Sometimes the most helpful place to start is by stepping back, looking at the whole picture and making a few manageable changes.
Your digestive symptoms are real.
Having IBS does not mean that you have to spend the rest of your life afraid of food or trying to achieve a “perfect” diet. With the right support, many people can learn more about their individual triggers, improve symptom management and feel much more confident about eating again.
Are you ready to understand your digestion more clearly?
If you are struggling with persistent IBS symptoms, bloating or changes in your digestion and would like personalised nutritional support, call me to discuss whether nutritional therapy may be appropriate for you.
Client Results
“Thank you so much for helping me overcome my digestive and stomach issues. Ann is warm, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable. She supported me brilliantly throughout my treatment and made great progress possible even while navigating my Coeliac disease and lactose intolerance. I’m very grateful for all her help and would highly recommend her.”
If you are struggling with persistent digestive issues or recurring food intolerances my approach is always to look beyond the symptoms and identify the underlying causes.
Are you ready to improve your gut health?
If you are tired of guessing and want to understand what is really causing your symptoms, contact me so we can explore what may be driving your IBS and how to move forward.
Ann Shaw Clinic of Nutritional Medicine has a programme-based approach which integrates nutrition, functional laboratory testing if necessary, and lifestyle guidance to address IBS and gut-related issues.
CONTACT ME to find out how personalised nutritional therapy can help you overcome IBS and feel in control again.
I offer nutritional therapy for IBS and digestion in Surrey and London, including:
Claygate | Surbiton | Thames Ditton | Weybridge | Kingston upon Thames | Esher | Teddington | Twickenham | Richmond. I also offer online nutritional therapy consultations across the UK and internationally.
This article is for general information and is not intended to diagnose, treat or replace medical advice. If you have new, persistent or concerning symptoms, please speak with your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
(c) Ann Shaw Clinic of Nutritional Medicine 2026