Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Most IBD flares last weeks to a few months; mild often 1 to 4 weeks, moderate 4 to 12 weeks, and severe can persist for several months, especially without timely treatment. There are several factors to consider, including the type of IBD, inflammation severity, how quickly therapy starts, medication adherence, and triggers like infections or NSAIDs. See below for more details, including ways to shorten flares, extend remission, and when to seek urgent care, which can influence your next steps.

There are several factors to consider. Long-term bowel inflammation ranges from mild and manageable to serious, depending on the cause: IBS is common and does not damage the bowel, while true inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis can lead to bowel injury, nutrient deficiencies, strictures, and a higher long-term colon cancer risk. Early assessment lowers complications and guides the right care; see below for key red flags, how doctors distinguish IBS from inflammation, and practical next steps for testing, treatment, and self-care.

You can’t flush IBS out; it’s a chronic gut-brain condition, but symptoms can often be eased with a structured low FODMAP approach, gradual soluble fiber, steady hydration, targeted probiotics, stress and sleep support, regular activity, and medications when appropriate. Avoid colon cleanses, detoxes, fasting, and extreme water intake, and seek care urgently for red flags like bleeding, weight loss, fever, or symptoms that wake you from sleep; there are several factors to consider, and key details that could affect your next steps are outlined below.

Relief for lower abdominal pain in men often starts with rest and observation, gentle heat, good hydration, light bland foods, and careful use of antacids, gas relief, fiber, or acetaminophen, while longer term prevention uses fiber rich eating, regular walking, and stress management; there are several factors to consider across digestive, urinary, reproductive, muscular, and inflammatory causes, and key details that can guide next steps are below. Seek urgent care for severe or worsening pain, fever, persistent vomiting, blood in stool or urine, pain with urination, sudden testicular pain, injury, unexplained weight loss, or pain lasting more than a few days, and see below for male specific red flags like prostate or hernia symptoms plus when to use a symptom checker or talk to a doctor.

To ease lower abdominal pain, start with heat therapy, gentle movement and stretching, hydration, and cautious use of OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen if appropriate. There are several factors to consider, including menstrual, digestive, urinary, ovulation, pregnancy, and postmenopausal causes, and red flags like sudden severe pain, fever, vomiting, heavy bleeding, or pain with a positive pregnancy test that require urgent care; see below for complete guidance on tailored relief, prevention tips, when to use a symptom checker, and when to speak to a doctor.

No, abdominal pain in older adults with IBD is not always severe; it can be mild, intermittent, or absent, and other signs like diarrhea, blood in the stool, fatigue, or weight loss may be more telling, while severe or worsening pain requires urgent care. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand how age, coexisting conditions, and medications can blunt pain, what warning signs need immediate attention, how IBD differs from IBS, and which tests and next steps to discuss with your clinician.

Yes, abdominal pain is a core and required symptom of IBS, typically recurring and tied to bowel movements or changes in stool frequency or form. There are several factors to consider, including how the pain behaves and key warning signs that suggest a different cause; see below for what IBS pain feels like, when to seek medical care, and practical next steps for diagnosis and relief.

Constant fatigue with stomach pain can be a sign of ulcerative colitis, but these symptoms are not specific and can also come from IBS, anemia, celiac disease, ulcers, thyroid problems, infections, or medication effects. UC is more likely if you also have diarrhea, blood or mucus in stool, urgency, night symptoms, weight loss, or a family history, and diagnosis needs medical evaluation and often colonoscopy; seek prompt care for severe pain, bleeding, fever, persistent diarrhea, or marked fatigue. There are several factors to consider; see below for key red flags, how UC pain typically behaves, and the most useful next steps.

No, they are different conditions: IBS is a functional gut disorder that does not cause inflammation or intestinal damage, while IBD (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) involves chronic inflammation that can injure the bowel and carries higher long-term risks. Symptoms can overlap, but red flags such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, nighttime diarrhea, or anemia suggest IBD and warrant prompt medical care. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more.

Yes, long-term diarrhea can be a sign of bowel inflammation, especially if it lasts more than 4 weeks or is accompanied by blood or mucus, weight loss, fever, ongoing abdominal pain, or nighttime symptoms. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including non-inflammatory causes like IBS, medications, hormonal issues, and malabsorption, plus when to seek care, what tests may be used, and treatment options based on the cause.

Late-onset inflammatory bowel disease refers to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis first diagnosed after about age 60, making up roughly 10 to 20 percent of cases; symptoms may be less obvious, and a careful workup with labs, stool tests, colonoscopy, and imaging helps distinguish it from infection, ischemic colitis, cancer, or IBS. Treatment is effective but individualized in older adults, often starting with the lowest effective doses and close monitoring, and you should seek prompt care for persistent bleeding, weeks-long diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal pain, fever, or signs of dehydration or anemia. There are several factors to consider that can affect your next steps, including differences from younger-onset disease and medication risks, so see below for the complete answer.

Long-lasting digestive symptoms can disrupt work, social life, sleep, and mood, and any that persist more than a few weeks deserve attention. There are several factors to consider, including IBD as a key inflammatory cause that differs from IBS, as well as other possibilities like celiac disease, food intolerances, chronic infection, medications, and stress; red flags such as blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, fever, severe pain, symptoms that wake you from sleep, or diarrhea lasting weeks should prompt medical care. See below for a clear guide to distinguishing IBD from IBS, warning signs, what tests and treatments to expect, and practical steps for diet, monitoring, and mental health that could shape your next steps.

There are several factors to consider: ongoing belly pain with extreme fatigue can result from digestive disorders, infections, hormonal or metabolic issues, anemia, or problems with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. See below for specific red flags like weight loss, fever, bleeding, or jaundice that need urgent care, how doctors evaluate these symptoms, and practical steps you can take now; speak to a doctor if symptoms persist, worsen, or feel severe or unusual for you.

Pelvic discomfort with bowel symptoms can stem from common conditions like IBS or from inflammatory bowel disease that causes ongoing intestinal inflammation, with red flags such as persistent diarrhea, blood in the stool, nighttime bowel movements, weight loss, fever, or fatigue signaling the need for medical evaluation. There are several factors to consider, including other pelvic, digestive, and nerve or muscle causes, ways doctors test for them, and when to seek urgent care; see below for the complete details and next steps that could affect your care.

There are key differences in timing, location, triggers, and symptoms that help tell period-related uterine cramps from bowel pain: period pain clusters around your cycle with crampy lower pelvic aching that often eases after bleeding starts, while bowel pain can happen any time, shift around the abdomen, change with eating or bowel movements, and often comes with ongoing diarrhea or constipation. Because bowel pain may signal IBS or inflammatory bowel disease and red flags like blood in stool, weight loss, fever, night symptoms, or worsening pain should prompt medical care, there are several factors to consider. See the complete answer below for important details on overlap with conditions like endometriosis, how to track patterns, and what next steps to take.

Persistent crampy stomach pain with sudden urgency is often due to IBS, food intolerances, a lingering gut infection, constipation, or less commonly inflammatory bowel disease, and it happens when the intestines are overactive or irritated; there are several factors to consider, so see below for causes, why urgency occurs, and what doctors typically evaluate. Seek urgent care for red flags like blood in stool, persistent vomiting, fever, weight loss, nighttime pain, severe or worsening pain, dehydration, or a family history of IBD or bowel cancer, and review the practical steps below for diet, stress management, hydration, bathroom habits, symptom-check tools, and how to decide on next steps.

Rectal bleeding with bowel movements is common and often from hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or constipation, but the color and pattern can also point to inflammatory bowel disease, infections, or colorectal polyps and cancer; there are several factors to consider, and key details that could change your next steps are explained below. Seek urgent care for heavy or persistent bleeding, dizziness or weakness, black or maroon stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, or weight loss, and see below for how doctors evaluate, treat, and help prevent this.

Stomach pain lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks is often due to manageable issues like IBS, gastritis, reflux, ulcers, food intolerances, stress, or constipation, and less commonly gallbladder problems or inflammatory bowel disease; seek medical care if it persists, limits daily life, or if red flags like weight loss, ongoing vomiting, blood in stool or black stools, fever, pain that wakes you from sleep, or progressive worsening occur. There are several factors to consider, including what to track, which medicines may irritate the stomach, lifestyle steps that can help, and when to seek testing or urgent care; see the complete guidance below to understand causes, warning signs, and the right next steps for your care.

Five common causes of abdominal pain are digestive upset or indigestion, gastrointestinal infections, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, and conditions affecting the gallbladder, kidneys, or pancreas. Yes, IBD is one of them; there are several factors to consider about red flags, symptom patterns, and when to seek care, so see the complete details below to understand more and choose the right next steps.

Common warning signs include persistent diarrhea, especially at night, abdominal pain or cramping, blood or mucus in the stool, bowel urgency or frequent trips, unintended weight loss or poor appetite, and deep fatigue. Less obvious clues can be low-grade fever and joint, skin, or eye inflammation; recurrent bleeding, severe pain, vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, or fever with gut symptoms warrant prompt medical care. There are several factors to consider; see the complete answer below for details on distinguishing IBD from IBS, red flags that change next steps, and how doctors evaluate these symptoms.

The six worst foods for ulcerative colitis are raw high fiber fruits and vegetables, spicy foods, alcohol, high fat and fried foods, dairy if you are lactose intolerant, and artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. Triggers vary by person and between flares and remission, and diet changes can ease symptoms but do not replace medical care; see below for key nuances like when to try a low fiber plan, lactose free swaps, ingredients to avoid in sugar free products, and red flag symptoms that mean you should contact a doctor.

Symptoms of an IBS flare-up include abdominal pain or cramping that often improves after a bowel movement, changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or both, plus bloating, excess gas, and sometimes clear mucus in the stool; whole body effects like fatigue, nausea, early fullness, and reduced appetite can also occur. There are several factors to consider. Triggers and warning signs that are not typical for IBS, like blood in stool, weight loss, fever, persistent vomiting, severe or nighttime pain, or new symptoms after age 50, mean you should seek medical advice. For a fuller list, subtype differences, and what to do next, see the complete answer below.

The three key red flags are sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening abdominal pain; pain with signs of infection or internal bleeding; and persistent or recurrent pain, especially in higher risk situations. There are several factors to consider: examples include fever, persistent vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, black tarry stools, jaundice, unexplained weight loss or appetite loss, new bowel changes, pain spreading to the chest, back, groin, or shoulder, pregnancy, age over 65, or being immunocompromised. See the complete guidance below to decide when to seek emergency care versus prompt medical evaluation.

There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Abdominal pain with blood can come from the digestive, urinary, or reproductive tract, most often from infections, hemorrhoids or fissures, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, diverticular disease, kidney stones or UTIs, or endometriosis, and less often cancer; the color and amount of blood and accompanying symptoms help pinpoint the cause. Seek urgent care for heavy or ongoing bleeding, black tarry stools, vomiting blood, severe or worsening pain, dizziness or fainting, or fever with marked tenderness, and find complete guidance on next steps below.

Lower abdominal pain in females can stem from the digestive, urinary, reproductive, pregnancy-related, or musculoskeletal systems, including constipation or IBS, UTIs or kidney stones, menstrual cramps, ovulation pain, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PID, fibroids, normal pregnancy stretching, or emergencies like ectopic pregnancy, as well as muscle strain, hernias, or nerve pain. There are several factors to consider, and some symptoms need urgent care, such as sudden severe or worsening pain, fever, heavy vaginal bleeding, vomiting, fainting, or any pain in pregnancy. For important details that could change your next steps and help you decide when to seek care, see below.

Lower abdominal pain in males can stem from digestive issues (constipation, gas, gastroenteritis, IBS, appendicitis), urinary problems (UTIs, kidney stones, bladder inflammation or irritation), reproductive conditions (epididymitis, testicular torsion, prostatitis), and also muscle strain, hernias, or nerve pain. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Seek urgent care if pain is sudden or worsening, or if you have fever, persistent vomiting, blood in urine or stool, severe testicular pain or swelling, trouble passing urine or stool, or pain after an injury, and check the complete guidance below for evaluation steps and next actions.

There are several causes of lower abdominal pain after 50, ranging from common issues like constipation, diverticular disease, IBS, urinary infections, and kidney stones to urgent problems such as appendicitis or an abdominal aortic aneurysm; other possibilities include prostate or postmenopausal gynecologic conditions, colitis, medication effects, and, less often, cancers. Because the stakes vary, seek care urgently if pain is severe or worsening, lasts more than a few days, or comes with fever, vomiting, blood in stool or urine, or unexplained weight loss. There are several factors to consider, and key details that could change your next steps are explained below.

Lower abdominal pain in women can come from the reproductive organs, digestive tract, urinary system, pregnancy, or muscles. Common causes include menstrual cramps or ovulation; endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or PID; constipation, IBS, gas, or appendicitis; UTIs or kidney stones; early pregnancy changes or ectopic pregnancy; and muscle strain. Seek urgent care for severe or worsening pain, fever, fainting or dizziness, heavy vaginal bleeding, nonstop vomiting, or any pain during pregnancy. There are several factors to consider for your next steps; see below for complete details that can affect what to do and when to talk to a doctor.

There are several factors to consider: cramps with urgency often result from intestinal spasms and faster gut motility, with common causes including irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances, gastroenteritis, stress and the gut brain connection, constipation with overflow, and sometimes hormonal changes, medications, or inflammatory bowel disease. See below for key red flags that mean it could be serious, how doctors evaluate these symptoms, and practical steps and treatments to consider with a clinician.

Common causes include short-term infections, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, medication side effects, and stress-related gut sensitivity; a less common but important cause is inflammatory bowel disease, which involves ongoing inflammation. Duration and red flags like blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, nighttime diarrhea, or worsening pain help guide next steps, so see the complete details below to know when simple self-care may be enough and when to contact a doctor promptly.