When your gut flips between constipation and diarrhea without warning, you’re not just having a bad day—you might be dealing with IBS-Mixed, a subtype of irritable bowel syndrome characterized by alternating bowel habits. Also known as IBS-A (alternating), this condition affects millions who struggle with bloating, cramping, and unpredictable bathroom trips that disrupt work, travel, and sleep. Unlike IBS-C or IBS-D, where one pattern dominates, IBS-Mixed throws you a curveball: one day you’re stuck, the next you’re rushing to the toilet. It’s not just "sensitive stomach"—it’s a real, measurable dysfunction in how your gut and brain talk to each other.
This isn’t just about food. Stress, sleep, antibiotics, and even hormonal shifts can trigger flare-ups. Many people with IBS-Mixed also report fatigue, brain fog, or anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere. Research shows these aren’t just "in your head"—they’re linked to changes in gut bacteria, intestinal inflammation, and nerve sensitivity. You might be surprised to learn that gut health, the balance of microbes living in your digestive tract plays a bigger role than you think. And digestive disorders, conditions that affect how food moves through and is processed by the gut like IBS-Mixed often overlap with others—think small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), food intolerances, or even thyroid issues.
What works for one person might make another worse. High-fiber diets help some but bloat others. Probiotics can calm symptoms for some, while doing nothing—or making things worse—for others. There’s no one-size-fits-all fix, which is why so many people feel frustrated. But knowing what to look for makes all the difference. You don’t need to guess forever. The articles below break down real strategies: what medications actually help, which supplements show promise, how to track your triggers without obsessing, and why your doctor might suggest a low-FODMAP diet—even if you’ve tried it before and gave up.
