Alternating between Constipation and Diarrhea
Constipation and diarrhea are two common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. While they both feature in all types of irritable bowel syndrome, they are not equally dominant. People with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome are often constipated and have only occasional diarrhea. Those with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome often have diarrhea and only occasional constipation.
If you find you frequently alternate between diarrhea and constipation, it may be a sign that you have mixed irritable bowel syndrome. This type affects only about 20 percent [8] of those with irritable bowel syndrome. It is more severe than the other types and the symptoms are more frequent.