Symptoms of an ulcerative colitis flare

A flare means bowel inflammation has become more active; the change may be gradual or sudden. You might need the toilet repeatedly, wake at night, or feel an urgent need even when little stool passes. Pain can be cramping, while rectal soreness may follow frequent stools. Fever, reduced appetite and fatigue can accompany active inflammation. A bowel infection can look similar, so a clinician may need tests before changing treatment.

Contact your IBD team or arrange a GP Consultation when symptoms are clearly worse than your baseline, especially if blood returns or diarrhoea persists. Keep a short record of stools, bleeding, pain, temperature, fluids and medicines. Take prescribed treatment as directed and ask before altering doses. Sip fluids regularly and use gentle skin care after bowel movements. Avoid relying on leftover antibiotics or anti-inflammatory painkillers without advice, as they may worsen bowel symptoms or hide deterioration.

Get urgent help for severe or continuous abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, heavy bleeding, fainting, confusion, high fever, repeated vomiting, or inability to drink. Same-day assessment is sensible when stools become suddenly much more frequent, you feel markedly weak, or there is very little urine. Severe inflammation can cause dehydration and other complications that cannot be judged reliably at home.

Ask how your team defines a flare, which symptoms should trigger a same-day call, whether you have an agreed rescue plan, and how to distinguish infection from inflammation. Ask when follow-up testing or colorectal cancer screening is due for you.