Ulcerative colitis flare-ups can be unpredictable, painful, and exhausting. If you’re living with UC, you may experience periods when symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramping, urgency, or bloody stools suddenly worsen, sometimes without a clear trigger. While medication plays an important role in managing ulcerative colitis, many people also look for natural remedies to help manage flare-ups and support longer periods of remission.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon. The condition typically follows a relapsing-remitting pattern, meaning symptoms flare for a period of time and then improve or disappear during remission. How often flares occur, and how severe they are, can vary widely from person to person.
Although there’s no cure for ulcerative colitis, a combination of medical care, diet, lifestyle changes, and symptom-targeted strategies may help reduce flare severity and improve quality of life. Understanding what triggers flares, and what supports healing during them, can make UC feel more manageable.
In this article, we’ll explore natural remedies for ulcerative colitis flare-ups, common flare triggers, and supportive strategies that may help calm symptoms and promote remission alongside conventional treatment.
What Is an Ulcerative Colitis Flare-Up?
An ulcerative colitis flare-up refers to a period of time when UC symptoms become active or worsen after a phase of remission. During a flare, inflammation in the lining of the colon increases, leading to a return, or intensification, of digestive symptoms.
Common symptoms during an ulcerative colitis flare-up may include:
- Frequent or urgent bowel movements
- Diarrhea, sometimes with blood or mucus
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fatigue or low energy
- Rectal discomfort
- Loss of appetite or unintended weight changes
Flare-ups can vary widely in severity and duration. Some people experience mild flares that last days or weeks, while others may have more intense symptoms that persist longer and require medical support. There’s no single pattern that applies to everyone with UC.
Flares often occur when the immune system becomes more active in the gut, triggering inflammation. This can happen even when someone has been feeling well for a period of time. While medications are a cornerstone of UC management, factors such as diet, stress, infections, sleep disruption, and gut health changes may also influence when flare-ups occur and how severe they feel.
Understanding what an ulcerative colitis flare-up is, and how it differs from day-to-day symptom fluctuations, can help you recognize early warning signs, respond sooner, and work toward reducing the frequency and intensity of future flares.
Common causes of ulcerative colitis flare ups
What brings on a flare isn't always clear. And triggers can be different for everyone. But your diet, stress levels, and certain medications may all contribute. Here are some common triggers.
1. Certain foods and beverages
Specific foods are not the cause of ulcerative colitis, but some can exacerbate UC and contribute to flare-ups. These include foods that are pro-inflammatory or promote permeability of the gut lining, such as highly processed carbohydrates, added sugars, and alcohol, says Cori Cohen, a registered dietitian formerly with Parsley Health.
2. Stress
Stress is not a cause of UC, but it can exacerbate it. High-stress levels can stimulate the immune system and contribute to chronic inflammation, both of which may contribute to a flare.
In one study of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients, 45 percent of those who experienced a relapse said they’d been exposed to “quite a lot of stress” the day prior.
3. NSAID pain relievers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, may also contribute to flares.
These drugs can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and should be avoided with UC, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Tylenol is generally considered a more GI-friendly over-the-counter pain reliever.
4. Missing your meds
Medication is often needed to keep UC symptoms in check, and missing a dose, even when symptoms are in remission, may result in a flare.
This is why having a team—like the docs and providers at Parsley Health—to manage your care plan can be beneficial.
How to prevent ulcerative colitis flare-ups
What are actionable steps you can take to make your symptom-free stretches last as long as possible?
“Nutrition and stress management are probably the two biggest things as far as prevention goes,” says Cohen.
Parsley Health providers and health coaches often work with members who have ulcerative colitis to find a diet that helps them minimize flares. And they can help you build a sustainable stress-management routine.
Below, we’ll dive into some specific ways to optimize your diet with natural remedies and make adjustments to your lifestyle while living with ulcerative colitis.
1. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet with plenty of veggies.
Because inflammation is at the root of inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis, eating to minimize inflammation is key.
In fact, research suggests that an IBD anti-inflammatory diet—which encourages the intake of prebiotics (fiber-rich plant foods and legumes), probiotics (fermented foods), and omega-3 fats to restore intestinal flora—may ease ulcerative colitis symptoms.
In addition to scaling back on pro-inflammatory added sugars and highly processed carbs, you can boost the anti-inflammatory power of your diet, according to Cohen. Ramp up your veggie intake and focus on health fats.
“At a minimum, you want to be having three servings of vegetables per day, since low vegetable intake is associated with a higher incidence of UC,” says Cohen. Vegetables contain a range of polyphenol antioxidant compounds to fight inflammation, and they provide digestion-supporting fiber.
And as for fat, “make sure you’re limiting omega-6s from processed seed and vegetable oils and getting enough omega-3s, which are anti-inflammatory,” says Cohen.
Most Western diets are sky-high in omega-6s and low in omega-3s, and this imbalance in essential fatty acids can promote inflammation.
Get your fill of omega-3s from fatty fish like salmon and sardines, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds, or consider a supplement.
2. Prioritize gut-supporting nutrients.
No single nutrient or supplement is a magic bullet for keeping UC flares at bay. But anything that reduces inflammation in the gut, helps repair and heal the gut’s epithelial lining, and fosters growth of healthy gut bacteria may be helpful, explains Cohen.
Your veggie-heavy, anti-inflammatory diet will help. But these nutrients (which you can get via food or supplements) may provide an extra boost for gut health:
- Probiotics, naturally found in fermented foods, are a good maintenance tool for promoting gut microbial balance.
- Turmeric is a powerful spice that contains the potent antioxidant compound curcumin to help combat both chronic inflammation and gut inflammation.
- L-glutamine is the primary fuel source for cells lining the intestinal wall and has been shown to help reduce hyperpermeability of the gut lining. Collagen powder and bone broth contain this powerful amino acid.
If you want to start a supplement, talk to your healthcare provider. Parsley Health’s doctors create specific supplement protocols for each member based on the results of advanced testing.
3. Implement stress-busting practices.
Whether you’re dealing with a bad relationship, toxic job, lack of sleep, or even a medical scare, these factors can trigger a stress response in the body that initiates a flare-up.
While you can’t always control these stressors, you can combat the physiological effects they have on your body.
Simple natural remedies to lower stress or mitigate its effects include going to bed at a reasonable hour (and on a consistent schedule), meditating, deep breathing, practicing yoga, going for a hike, or doing anything that brings you pure joy.
Feeling stuck? Think about an activity that you do where time seems to stand still and you’re completely absorbed in the moment. That’s the ideal stress-buster!
4. Keep a food and symptom journal.
A key part of preventing flare-ups is knowing your personal ulcerative colitis triggers, which can vary from person to person.
“Some people are triggered by gluten and dairy, while some people aren’t—so it’s important to identify what specific foods trigger you,” says Cohen. “Keeping up a food and symptom journal can be really helpful.”
Start jotting down what you eat and drink in a notebook so you can identify foods and beverages that may be causing flares.
If you start to see a pattern, you can try eliminating that food or drink for a while to see if you get some relief.
Parsley Health doctors and providers can guide you through the appropriate way to eliminate and reintroduce foods and help you identify triggers.
What to do during an ulcerative colitis flare to minimize symptoms
You’ll inevitably experience another UC flare-up at some point, despite your best prevention efforts.
When this happens, you can tweak your normal routine to minimize the severity of your symptoms and get back into remission ASAP.
Even some of your typically healthy habits, such as loading up on veggies, may be a no-go. Here are a few natural remedies that may help.
1. Cut out raw veggies and other gut irritants.
During an ulcerative colitis flare, you want to be as gentle on your digestive system and colon as possible. “Give your gut a little vacation,” says Cohen.
This ideally means eliminating or scaling back on the following foods that take significant digestive effort or stimulate the bowels.
- raw vegetables
- raw and cooked fruits
- high-fat foods
- high-fiber foods
- whole grains
- spicy foods
- alcohol
- caffeinated beverages
2. Opt for easy-to-digest foods.
Focus on getting the bulk of your nutrition from cooked vegetables and easy-to-digest proteins like fish, lean meats, and eggs.
Consuming some meals in the form of soups made with bone broth (which contains L-glutamine), smoothies, and veggie purees is also a great idea, says Cohen.
These are much less abrasive on the gut and take less energy to digest. This allows energy to be diverted to more urgent matters, like healing the gut and taming inflammation.
2. Eat smaller meals.
Large meals can overstimulate the bowel and make ulcerative colitis symptoms like diarrhea worse. Keep meals on the smaller side and never eat until you’re stuffed.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recommends four to six small meals per day as opposed to three larger meals.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Because UC flares are accompanied by diarrhea, dehydration is a real concern.
And while you don’t want to chug water, since this could further stimulate diarrhea, you can sip on liquids throughout the day—ideally liquids with electrolytes like coconut water or bone broth, says Cohen.
Electrolytes may become depleted after bouts of diarrhea, but they are essential for maintaining proper hydration and fluid balance.
4. Find ways to chill out.
All of the stress-busting suggestions above are extra important when you’re in the midst of a flare-up.
Cohen also recommends implementing deep breathing exercises before every meal, as this “relaxes your body and mind and allows you to digest more optimally.”
And, since you’ll be eating four to six smaller meals, this is a great way to get a dose of calm at multiple points in the day.
Why working with a qualified care team is so important when it comes to managing ulcerative colitis
Patients being treated for UC may not typically receive dietary or lifestyle advice, which is a huge disservice, says Cohen.
But managing ulcerative colitis and preventing (or at least delaying) flare-ups can be done! You just might need a little help from the experts.
Because UC isn’t one-size-fits-all and triggers are highly individual, enlisting the help of a care team, like the clinicians at Parsley Health, is wise.
Providers can offer individualized supplement protocols based on lab testing, customized eating plans for periods of remission and flares, and communicate with your current GI doctor if necessary to streamline care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ulcerative Colitis Flare-Ups
What triggers an ulcerative colitis flare-up?
Ulcerative colitis flare-ups can be triggered by factors such as stress, infections, dietary changes, missed medications, sleep disruption, or changes in gut health. Triggers vary from person to person.
How long do ulcerative colitis flare-ups last?
Flare-ups can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or longer. Duration depends on flare severity, treatment, and individual factors like stress and overall health.
Can diet help manage ulcerative colitis flare-ups?
Diet doesn’t cause ulcerative colitis, but certain foods may worsen symptoms during a flare. Many people find relief by choosing easy-to-digest foods and avoiding known personal triggers during active flares.
Are there natural remedies for ulcerative colitis flare-ups?
Some people use natural strategies, such as stress reduction, dietary adjustments, and gut-supportive practices, alongside medical care to help manage flare symptoms. These approaches may support comfort but are not a replacement for prescribed treatment.
Can stress cause an ulcerative colitis flare-up?
Stress doesn’t cause ulcerative colitis, but it may contribute to flare-ups by affecting immune and gut function. Managing stress is often part of a comprehensive flare-management plan.
How do you know when a flare-up is starting?
Early signs of a flare-up may include increased bowel urgency, looser stools, abdominal cramping, fatigue, or subtle digestive changes. Recognizing early symptoms can help prompt timely support.
What’s the difference between a flare-up and remission?
A flare-up is a period when symptoms are active and inflammation increases. Remission refers to a phase when symptoms improve or disappear and inflammation is reduced.
Can ulcerative colitis flare-ups be prevented?
Not all flare-ups can be prevented, but consistent medical care, identifying personal triggers, supporting gut health, managing stress, and maintaining healthy routines may help reduce flare frequency.
When should you see a doctor for a UC flare-up?
You should contact a clinician if symptoms worsen, don’t improve, or include severe pain, dehydration, fever, or significant bleeding. Medical guidance is important for managing active flares safely.
Is ulcerative colitis the same as Crohn’s disease?
No. While both are inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis affects the colon only, whereas Crohn’s disease can involve any part of the digestive tract.
