Crohn’s flare-ups: triggers, what to eat and natural relief
A flare is a period when Crohn’s symptoms come back or get worse: more diarrhoea, abdominal pain, urgency, fatigue and sometimes fever or weight loss. Flares are unpredictable, but understanding the common triggers and having a plan makes them easier to manage.
Get urgent medical care if you have:
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- Fever
- Heavy rectal bleeding
- Signs of dehydration: dizziness, very dark urine or passing very little urine
- Persistent vomiting
- Crampy pain with bloating and not passing gas or stool, which can signal a bowel obstruction
Common flare triggers
NSAID painkillers
Ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin can cause flares. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation suggests paracetamol (acetaminophen) for mild pain or fever instead.
Missed or stopped medication
Skipping doses or tapering off medication without a plan is a common cause of flares.
Antibiotics
In some cases antibiotics can trigger symptoms. Tell your gastroenterologist before starting a course.
Gut infections
Infections such as C. difficile can set off a flare, and need different treatment, so testing matters.
Smoking
Smoking is linked to more flares and more surgery in Crohn’s. Quitting is associated with fewer flare-ups.
Stress
Stress can worsen symptoms for many people with IBD, even though it isn’t thought to cause the disease.
What to eat during a flare
Most people do best with soft, low-fibre foods while symptoms are active: white rice and pasta, porridge, eggs, fish, tender chicken, tofu, bananas, applesauce and peeled, well-cooked vegetables. Limit raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, fried and spicy food, caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks. Small, frequent meals are often easier than large ones, and fluids matter more than usual.
Natural self-care through a flare
- Contact your IBD team early. Many flares are easier to settle when treatment is adjusted quickly.
- Switch to soft, low-residue food and eat small, frequent meals.
- Keep drinking: water, broth and oral rehydration drinks replace fluids and salts lost through diarrhoea.
- Use a heat pad or warm bath for cramping.
- Rest, and use stress-reduction techniques you find helpful, such as breathing exercises, gentle yoga or walks.
- Track symptoms daily so you and your doctor can see whether things are improving.
Helpful next reads
Common questions
How long does a Crohn’s flare-up last?
It varies widely, from a few days to several weeks or longer, depending on the cause, how severe it is and how quickly treatment is adjusted. Contact your IBD team if a flare doesn’t settle within a few days, or sooner if symptoms are severe.
What causes Crohn’s flare-ups?
Common triggers include NSAID painkillers, missed or stopped medication, antibiotics, gut infections, smoking and stress. Sometimes there’s no clear trigger at all.
What should I eat during a Crohn’s flare?
Soft, low-fibre foods are usually easiest: white rice, white pasta, porridge, eggs, fish, chicken, bananas, applesauce and peeled, well-cooked vegetables. Limit raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, fried food, spicy food, caffeine and alcohol, and drink plenty of fluids.
Can stress cause a Crohn’s flare?
Stress doesn’t cause Crohn’s, but many people find it worsens their symptoms, and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation lists it among common flare factors.
Are there natural remedies for a Crohn’s flare?
Diet changes, hydration, heat and rest are the most practical self-care measures. Some supplements, such as curcumin, have been studied alongside standard treatment, but none should replace contacting your gastroenterologist during a flare.
Sources
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Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation · Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
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Managing flares and other IBD symptoms
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation · Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
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Flare-ups with Crohn’s or Colitis
Crohn’s & Colitis UK · Crohn’s & Colitis UK
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Crohn’s disease: my diet during a flare up
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · UCLH
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