Alternating Diarrhea & Constipation

When diarrhea and constipation take turns, it’s not just “irritable bowels”—it’s a sign of internal confusion between retention and release, tension and collapse, or suppression and purging. This back-and-forth reflects dysregulation in the nervous system, gut motility, microbiome, and digestive fire. In traditional systems, it often points to wind/tension disrupting rhythm, or competing tissue states in different parts of the colon. It’s the body’s way of saying: I’m not sure whether to hold on—or let go.

• Location of Symptom

  Colon and small intestine, especially in the sigmoid and descending colon, but may also involve nervous system pathways affecting gut motility and rhythm.

• Physiological Breakdown

  Alternating constipation and diarrhea is like a traffic system stuck between gridlock and a flash flood—one day, nothing moves; the next, everything rushes out. It’s a sign that your gut’s internal rhythm, signaling, and motility are dysregulated, swinging between extremes in an attempt to self-correct.

  Here’s what’s happening inside:

  Nervous System Dysregulation: The gut is deeply connected to the brain via the enteric nervous system. When the nervous system is stuck in a stress-survival loop (e.g., trauma, anxiety, or dysautonomia), it can alternate between freeze (slowed motility = constipation) and overdrive (rapid expulsion = diarrhea). These patterns can shift day to day or even within hours, depending on triggers.

  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Type-M: This mixed pattern is common in IBS when the muscles of the intestines contract unpredictably. One section may be tight and sluggish while another is overstimulated. This disorganized motility often develops over months or years, with fluctuating symptoms based on diet, hormones, or stress.

  Gut Inflammation & Immune Confusion: Chronic low-grade inflammation from food sensitivities, infections, or leaky gut can confuse the immune system. Inflammatory messengers may suppress gut motility in one area and stimulate it in another. Symptoms may alternate weekly or monthly, especially after food exposure or illness.

  Microbiome Imbalance: Too many gas-producing or irritant microbes (e.g., SIBO, Candida) can stimulate bloating and loose stools, while others that slow fermentation (or die off from poor diet or antibiotics) lead to sluggish digestion. This imbalance may cause intermittent bowel dysfunction, often worsened by sugar, fiber, or fat-heavy meals.

  Hormonal Flux: Shifts in estrogen, progesterone, or thyroid hormones can affect peristalsis—the rhythmic contractions of the gut. Constipation is more common in low-progesterone states, while diarrhea may show up around ovulation or menstruation. These patterns often follow a monthly hormonal cycle.

• Common Signs

  Loose, urgent stools followed by days of sluggish or no bowel movements

  Cramping, bloating, or gas that changes in nature throughout the week

  Alternating patterns that worsen with stress, travel, or diet changes

  Emotional volatility or suppressed expression

  Incomplete evacuation followed by sudden purging

  Symptoms that don’t respond well to a single “digestive remedy”

• Rudimentary Root Causes

  Nervous system overdrive or emotional suppression

  Gut-brain axis dysregulation (e.g., trauma, chronic stress)

  Dysbiosis, yeast, or parasite overgrowth

  Irregular eating habits or excessive food sensitivity responses

  Suppression of elimination through laxatives or emotional control

  Pharmaceutical causes: SSRIs, pain medications, or hormonal shifts affecting motility

  Supplement-induced causes: Fiber overload or improperly timed probiotics

  Phytoiatrogenic causes: Bitters or laxatives overused in depleted constitutions, Sedative or astringent herbs that suppress motility too strongly

• Primary Tissue State

  Wind/Tension: Primary driver—spasms, unpredictability, emotional tightness.

• Organ Systems Affected

  Digestive System: Colon, small intestine, liver

  Nervous System: Gut-brain signaling, vagus tone, sympathetic balance

  Endocrine System: Hormonal influence on motility and gut tension

  Immune System: Inflammation influencing gut rhythm and permeability

  Lymphatic System: Congestion or poor fluid movement may affect bowel hydration

Do your symptoms shift with your mood, cycle, or stress levels? Are you holding in emotion, tears, or anger? Have you ever experienced trauma, high anxiety, or gut infections? Do you gravitate toward strong herbal remedies or strict diets? What’s your relationship with control, release, or needing to “hold it together”? Have you noticed food, travel, or sleep affecting your bowel pattern?

If your bowels feel like they’re stuck in a cycle of all or nothing, it’s a reflection of deeper patterns—nervous, emotional, or microbial. You don’t have to keep chasing quick fixes or living at the mercy of unpredictability. Let’s work together to restore your rhythm from the inside out.

Disclaimer Each person’s condition has a unique root cause, and lifestyle, diet and herbal remedies must be tailored to the individual. The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized care. If you’d like support in understanding your specific situation, please reach out to me for guidance. If you’re experiencing persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms—especially with blood in the stool, weight loss, or pain, seek emergency medical care immediately.