Still struggling with IBS symptoms even after changing your diet? These 5 hidden IBS triggers — including antibiotics, medications, and artificial sweeteners — might be the missing piece. Learn what your doctor might not tell you.

In this blog post, we’ll cover 5 surprising IBS triggers that could be contributing to your symptoms — and what you can do about them.

🔹 1. Antibiotic Use (Even From Years Ago)

Even a single round of antibiotics can disrupt your gut microbiome for months — and even years or decades. And the symptoms from taking antibiotics don’t always occur immediately. This disruption in your microbiome is a major, often overlooked cause of IBS symptoms.

When you take antibiotics, you alter the ecosystem in your gut. That alteration can continue to develop over years and even decades, so you’d never think to connect the dots between your antibiotic use and your symptoms. It’s still treatable, but you have to be looking for it to find it.

🔹 2. Hidden Sources of Dairy

Dairy is not always just about lactose. Many IBS patients react to dairy proteins like casein and whey, which are found in everything from lactose free cow’s milk to cream sauces to protein powders and salad dressings, and on and on. Even trace amounts in baked goods or medications can trigger symptoms.

If you have a problem with dairy, then this is one that you want to take a very careful look at. Because you are probably eating dairy every single day without even trying.

🔹 3. Artificial Sweeteners

Sugar alcohols like sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, and mannitol are common in sugar-free products and low-carb snacks. You might think that they are good for you, but these ferment in the gut, producing gas and can cause diarrhea and cramping.

Keep in mind, regular sugar might not be any better. So don’t assume that just because it’s natural that it’s ok.

🔹 4. Medications and Supplements

From NSAIDs (like ibuprofen and acetaminophen) to acid blockers (like omeprazole, and ranitidine), as well as all kinds of common prescription medications, and even “natural” supplements — many, many medications can and do irritate the gut, change motility, or disrupt your microbiome and cause all kinds of digestive symptoms.

These side effects are rarely flagged, and doctors often overlook these side effects or don’t appreciate how profound these issues can be.  They may even tell you that it’s not the medication when it actually could be. I’ve seen that more times than I can count.

So don’t assume that it’s not your medication.  Even if you’ve been on the medication for a long time, side effects can take months or years to develop.

🔹 5. Gut Infections — Even From the Past

If your symptoms began after a stomach virus, food poisoning, or traveler’s diarrhea, you may have post-infectious IBS. You may have heard of this, but what you may not know is that impact of these Infections can change your gut’s nervous system and microbiome in lasting ways.

If you didn’t bounce back from an infection like this, then you need help, and the good news is that this is treatable.

✅ The Takeaway

These are just a few of the surprising things that I’ve seen cause IBS and digestive problems. If you feel like you’ve tried everything and nothing works, it’s time to find someone who can help you investigate things like this and find the root cause of your symptoms — especially someone who can help you look for things that often go undiagnosed.

This post was sponsored by the IBS Treatment Center, working with people around the world via telemedicine to help uncover what’s really behind your IBS.  Contact us for more information.

Related Content:

Debunking Common IBS Myths and Misconceptions

Gut Motility Isn’t the Problem. Here’s What Is.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance vs Dairy Allergy

IBS and Spicy Food, The Sign That Something Bigger Is Wrong‍