How to Manage an IBD Flare: Practical Tips for Tough Days

You know the feeling. That familiar cramp that tells you something's off. The extra bathroom trips. The fatigue that hits harder than usual. And then the sinking realization: here we go again.

Flares suck. There's no way around it. But after going through more than I'd like to count, I've learned a few things about getting through them—and maybe making them shorter and less brutal.

Catch It Early If You Can

Looking back at my worst flares, there were almost always warning signs I ignored. I'd think "I'm just tired" or "maybe I ate something weird." But the pattern was usually there:

• A few extra bathroom trips that I brushed off
• Blood coming back when I'd been clear for a while
• Pain creeping up from a 2 to a 3 to a 4 over a few days
• That bone-deep exhaustion that's different from regular tired
• Losing my appetite (this one's a big tell for me personally)

When I started tracking daily with Flare Log, I could actually see these patterns on a timeline instead of just having a vague sense that something was off. That's been huge for catching things before they get really bad.

When You're In It

Call Your Doctor

I know, I know. You don't want to be "that patient" who calls all the time. But flares are exactly when you should call. That's what they're there for. They might be able to:

• Talk you through what to do at home
• Call in a prescription without an office visit
• Get you in quickly if needed
• Order labs to see what's going on

The earlier you reach out, the more options you usually have.

Keep Tracking (I Know It's Hard)

When you're miserable, the last thing you want to do is log symptoms. But this is actually when the data matters most. Your doctor will want to know how bad things got and for how long. A 10-second log in Flare Log beats trying to remember it all later when you're brain-fogged and exhausted.

Hydration Is Everything

When you're running to the bathroom constantly, you're losing a lot of fluid. And dehydration makes everything worse—the fatigue, the brain fog, the cramping. I keep electrolyte packets around (Liquid IV, LMNT, whatever) and force myself to sip even when I don't feel like it. Small sips frequently works better than chugging water.

Food During Flares

Everyone's different, but here's what tends to work for me when things are bad:

Usually Safe

• White rice (boring but reliable)
• Plain chicken or fish
• Bananas
• Eggs
• White bread or toast
• Smooth peanut butter
• Well-cooked vegetables (no skins, no raw)

Usually Regret

• Anything high-fiber (salads, whole grains)
• Dairy (even if you're not normally lactose intolerant)
• Fried or greasy foods
• Coffee (I mourn this every flare)
• Alcohol
• Anything spicy
• Sugar-free stuff with sorbitol or mannitol

Your list might be different. That's another reason tracking helps—you start to learn what your body can handle during rough patches.

Getting Through the Days

• Sleep. Like, a lot. Your body is fighting. Let it rest.
• Heating pad. I basically live with one on my stomach during flares. Helps with the cramping more than I expected.
• Tylenol is okay. Ibuprofen is not. NSAIDs can actually make IBD worse. Stick with acetaminophen if you need something.
• Let people help. If someone offers to bring food or cover something for you, say yes. This isn't the time to be a hero.
• Cancel stuff. Whatever you have on your calendar that isn't essential? Cancel it. Your body needs you to slow down.

After the Storm

When symptoms finally start improving:

• Go slow with food. Your gut is still recovering. Don't celebrate with a pizza.
• Keep taking your meds. Even when you feel better. Especially when you feel better.
• Follow up with your GI. They'll want to know what happened and might adjust your treatment.
• Look back at your data. Can you see what triggered it? Did you notice the warning signs earlier than you acted on them?

It Does Get Easier

Not the flares themselves, necessarily. Those still suck. But you get better at managing them. You learn your warning signs. You figure out what helps and what doesn't. You build a relationship with your GI where you can call and they know what's going on. You stop feeling so blindsided every time.

Hang in there. This part is temporary, even when it doesn't feel like it.

This is from personal experience, not medical training. Always follow your doctor's guidance—they know your specific situation.