IBS-M (MIXED TYPE)
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. It aims to help you better understand gut-related issues, but the causes and diagnoses of these conditions are often complex and overlapping, with potential for misdiagnosis. This is why it’s essential to consult a qualified healthcare provider, such as a gastroenterologist or your doctor, for proper evaluation and advice tailored to your needs.
IBS-M (MIXED TYPE)
IBS-M presents with alternating diarrhoea and constipation, with abdominal pain tied to changes in frequency and form. It shares the same foundations as other IBS sub-types—gut–brain axis dysregulation, altered motility, and microbiome shifts—but swings between faster and slower transit.
Patients often report bloating, urgency during loose phases, and straining during constipated phases, with symptoms waxing and waning over weeks.
SYMPTOMS
- Recurrent abdominal pain related to defecation
- Both hard/lumpy and loose/watery stools ≥25% of BMs
- Alternating constipation and diarrhoea
- Bloating, cramping, excess gas
- Sense of incomplete evacuation (common)
- Relief or change in pain with bowel movements
CAUSES
IBS-M shares mechanisms with IBS-D and IBS-C but oscillates between faster and slower transit.
Variable motility (brain–gut axis shifts, hormonal changes, stress) drives stool form swings.
Microbiome fluctuations and dietary load (FODMAPs, caffeine, alcohol) tip patterns toward diarrhoea or constipation.
Post-infectious sequelae may underlie persistent hypersensitivity despite normal tests.
DIAGNOSIS
Positive Clinical Diagnosis (Rome criteria) applies with alternating stool forms and no red flags.
Rule-out Panel mirrors IBS-D/IBS-C: CRP or faecal calprotectin, coeliac serology, and selective labs.
Directed Testing (only if clinically indicated) may assess bile acids, carbohydrate malabsorption, or pelvic-floor dysfunction depending on the predominant phase.
Endoscopy is reserved for alarm features.
TREATMENT INDICATION
Treatment focuses on phase-specific management (loose vs hard days), diet personalization, and gut–brain modulation.
- Dietary Personalization: short low-FODMAP phase with meticulous re-introductions; maintain adequate soluble fibre while avoiding over-restriction.
- Phase-Targeted Agents: loperamide on loose days; PEG/secretagogues on constipated days; avoid simultaneous opposing meds.
- Neuromodulators: low-dose TCA if pain/diarrhea dominant; SSRI if constipation-leaning with comorbid mood/anxiety.
- Gut-Directed CBT/Hypnosis and lifestyle (sleep, stress, exercise) as core therapy.
- Adjuncts: peppermint oil, strain-specific probiotics for pain/bloat.
- Emerging: biofeedback for abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia; digital therapeutics.
SUPPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATION
- REPOPULATING YOUR GUT MICROBIOME WITH THE RIGHT GOOD BACTERIA
Repopulating your gut microbiome with the right good bacteria to improve its function and role within your health will start resolving your symptoms.
Ensure you only take a probiotic that meets pharmaceutical grade standards to ensure efficacy and that dose delivery for symptom improvement, (uses gold-standard strains backed by clinical evidence for efficacy, with a minimum dose of 10 Billion CFU’s, protects it bacterial dose by ensuring shelf stability and full stomach acid protection with targeted delivery of the bacteria to your intestine, and meets all other quality metrics).The bacteria in your microbiome improves digestion and nutrient absorption, acts at the guts pharmacy – making vitamins, producing SCFA’s and other important metabolites, like serotonin. It is both the boss of and manager of our immune system. They Influence our brain and hormones, improve our mood + how our brain work. The microbiome also influence our Metabolic and Hormonal system/health. - HEALING THE WHOLE GUT SYSTEM, IMPROVING THE STRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND FUNCTION
This condition can affect the gut structure, environment and function, leading to an overall decline in the performance of the whole gut system. This results in gut inflammation, increased oxidative levels altered colonic PH levels. It impairs; immune capabilities, cell function, barrier function, digestion and metabolic health. Which makes it harder for good bacteria to survive in your gut, and easier for pathogens to take over – leading to a negative-cyclical feedback loop that keeps you unhealthy, compromised and struggling with severe symptoms.
Probitec Intrinsic Bowel Support (30 capsules) and Probitec Gastro (10 capsules), have 8-strains and 20 Billion CFU’s, housed in the worlds most advanced probiotics capsule.
Probitec Fibre+ is a 3-in-1 formula of prebiotic fibre, glutamine and digestive enzymes, designed to enhance the composition and integrity of the whole gut system
The strains have over 120 studies confirming significant relief and improvement of the symptoms associated with the following:
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Diarrhoea, constipation
- Bowel regularity and motility
- Gas and bloating
- Enhancing the gut-brain axis, reducing stress and improving mood
- Improving Immunity and combatting pathogenic infections and overgrowth
- Enhancing Intestinal Integrity
- Reducing gut inflammation
- Relieving GI distress or dysbiosis
- Improving Quality of Life issues such as fatigue, brain fog and skin conditions.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. It aims to help you better understand gut-related issues, but the causes and diagnoses of these conditions are often complex and overlapping, with potential for misdiagnosis. This is why it’s essential to consult a qualified healthcare provider, such as a gastroenterologist or your doctor, for proper evaluation and advice tailored to your needs.