What is a Flare?

A ​flare​ is what we call it when your IBD symptoms come back, even after you’ve been feeling well for a while. When you have a symptoms, it’s important to check in with your healthcare team so that you can all work together to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.

One way to check for flares is to be on the lookout for symptoms of your IBD. By checking for early symptoms, you can deal with flares quickly. These early symptoms are ​red flags​: warning signs that a flare could be starting. Everyone has different red flags, but some can be abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool and others—what they are depends on how your body responds to a flare.

What symptoms do you always see when your IBD starts to bother you? Try making a list of these red flag symptoms. That way, you know what to look for and, if another flare comes, you’ll be ready. If you are having symptoms, but are not sure if they are related to your IBD, ask someone on your healthcare team!