Why Is Constipation Followed by Diarrhea?

Overflow diarrhoea
Severe constipation can cause a blockage in your bowel. Because of this, the bowel begins to leak out watery stools around the blockage from higher up in the bowel. The leak from the bowel can look like diarrhoea. It's called 'overflow diarrhoea'.

Is it possible to have diarrhea and constipation at the same time?

It may seem as though a person would have either diarrhea or constipation but it is possible to have both at the same time. This is what's known as paradoxical diarrhea or overflow diarrhea. Diarrhea (having watery stools) is a common digestive problem that affects people at all stages of life.

Why do I fluctuate between constipation and diarrhea?

IBS-M is when the transit time throughout the digestive tract fluctuates, causing patients to experience a mix of both diarrhea and constipation, often alternating between the two. These extreme stool consistencies can sometimes even occur within the same bowel movement.

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Consumer Tech & Gadget Reviewer

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.