Flare Tracking

The following page outlines reliable signals you can use to track the progress of a colitis flare. I started this page because I was not feeling any pain and I was looking for how I can figure out if I was getting better or not.

Stool Frequency

Track:

• how many bowel movements per day

Improvement looks like:

• Fewer trips per day
• More predictable timing (less urgency-driven)

Urgency Level (very important)

Ask yourself:

• "How fast do I need to get to a bathroom?"

Improvement looks like:

• Less "emergency" feeling
• More ability to delay for a few minutes
• Less anxiety around leaving home

Stool form (Bristol stool scale)

You don't need the chart memorized - just observe: Improvement looks like:

• From watery -> loose -> soft formed
• Less fragmentation (less "multiple small passes")

Blood and mucus

Since your disease is distal (last ~ 15cm), this is especially relevant. Improvement looks like:

• Less blood in stool or on toilet paper
• Less mucus
• Eventually none at all

Nighttime symptoms

A key marker of inflammation. Improvement looks like:

• Fewer or no night-time bowel movements
• Better uninterrupted sleep

Food tolerance

Improvement looks like:

• Less reaction to meals
• Able to reintroduce small amounts of fiber or dairy without worsening symptoms

Energy and "gut background noise"

Even without pain, inflammation can cause:

• Fatigue
• Mild nausea
• General "gut unsettled" feeling:

Improvement looks like:

• More stable energy
• Less bloating or internal discomfort
• Feeling "normal between bowel movements"