Feeling tired during a flare

One of the hardest parts of an IBD flare can be feeling really, really tired.

Not just the kind of tired you feel after staying up too late.

You might feel like you've run out of energy completely.

You might wake up tired, struggle to concentrate at school, need to rest during the day or feel exhausted after doing things that would normally be easy.

And sometimes you might wonder:

“Why am I so tired when I haven't even done anything?”

The answer is that your body is working hard.

🔥 Why does a flare make me tired?

When your IBD is active, there is inflammation happening inside your body.

Your body uses energy dealing with that inflammation, which can leave you feeling exhausted.

Other things can add to the tiredness too.

For example, during a flare you might:

• Have diarrhoea frequently

• Lose fluids

• Have trouble sleeping

• Eat less than usual

• Lose weight

• Have low iron or anaemia

• Feel stressed or worried

• Spend more energy than usual just getting through the day

So if you're completely worn out, you're not being lazy.

Your body may genuinely need more rest.

😴 What does IBD fatigue feel like?

Everyone experiences fatigue differently.

You might notice:

• You feel tired even after sleeping

• You struggle to get out of bed

• Your legs or body feel heavy

• You can't concentrate as well

• Schoolwork takes much more effort

• You feel like you need a nap

• You run out of energy quickly

• You don't feel like seeing friends

• Sport feels much harder

• You get tired after simple activities

You might also feel frustrated because your brain wants to do something, but your body just doesn't have the energy.

🏫 What about school?

Fatigue can make school surprisingly difficult.

You might be sitting in class thinking:

“I can't concentrate.”

You may read the same sentence several times and still not take it in.

You might struggle to remember things or find yourself zoning out.

That's not because you're not trying.

Fatigue can affect your concentration and thinking.

If you're struggling, tell your parent, carer or someone at school you trust.

Your school may be able to help with things like:

• Rest breaks

• A quieter place to work

• Extra time for assignments

• Extensions

• Help catching up after being away

• Reduced workload while you're unwell

• Flexibility with PE

You don't have to push yourself until you completely run out of energy.

🏃 What about sport?

You might normally love sport but suddenly find that you can't keep up.

You may get tired much faster than usual.

That's okay.

When you're having a flare, you may need to take a break from sport or reduce how much you do.

Listen to your body and follow the advice of your healthcare team.

Taking a break isn't giving up.

It's giving your body time to recover.

🛋️ It's okay to rest

Sometimes you might feel guilty for resting.

You might think:

“Everyone else is doing things. I should be too.”

But rest isn't wasting time.

Your body needs energy to recover.

Try giving yourself permission to:

• Have a nap

• Lie down and listen to music

• Watch a movie

• Read

• Spend some quiet time alone

• Take a break from your phone

• Go to bed earlier

• Say no to plans when you need to

You don't have to fill every minute of your day.

🍽️ Make sure you're getting enough food

When you're tired and don't feel hungry, eating can feel like another job.

But your body needs energy and nutrients to grow, repair itself and recover.

Try to keep eating and drinking as much as you can.

If large meals feel difficult, smaller meals and snacks may be easier.

If you're struggling to eat enough, losing weight or your appetite has changed a lot, tell your parent, carer or IBD team.

Your dietitian can help you work out how to get the nutrition your body needs.

💧 Keep drinking

If you're having diarrhoea or vomiting, you can lose fluids.

Even mild dehydration can make you feel more tired, dizzy or weak.

Keep drinking regularly.

If your healthcare team has given you advice about oral rehydration solutions, follow your individual plan.

Tell an adult if you're struggling to drink enough or you're feeling very dizzy or weak.

🩸 What about iron?

Sometimes tiredness during IBD can be related to low iron or anaemia.

Your IBD team may check your blood to see what's happening.

If your doctor finds that your iron is low, they can recommend the right treatment.

Don't start taking iron supplements on your own just because you're tired.

Your healthcare team can check whether you actually need them and which type is appropriate.

🌙 Sleep can be harder during a flare

Pain, diarrhoea and needing the toilet during the night can make it difficult to get enough sleep.

You might wake up several times or feel like you haven't slept properly.

If you're not sleeping well, tell your parent, carer or IBD team.

There may be things they can do to help manage the symptoms causing you to wake up.

💬 Tell people when you're tired

Fatigue isn't always obvious.

Someone might look at you and think:

“But you look fine.”

They can't see how tired you feel inside.

You don't have to prove that you're exhausted.

Try telling the people around you:

“I'm really tired today because my IBD is flaring.”

Or:

“I need to have a rest before I do that.”

The people who support you need to know how you're feeling so they can help.

🧠 Looking after your mental energy

Being tired all the time can affect your mood too.

You might feel:

• Irritable

• Frustrated

• Sad

• Bored

• Overwhelmed

• Like you don't want to do anything

That's understandable.

Being unwell takes mental energy as well as physical energy.

Talk to someone if you're struggling.

You don't have to deal with everything by yourself.

🩺 When should I tell my IBD team?

Tell your healthcare team if your tiredness is:

• Much worse than usual

• Lasting a long time

• Stopping you from going to school

• Making everyday activities difficult

• Happening along with other worsening symptoms

• Affecting your eating or drinking

• Making you feel dizzy, weak or faint

Your IBD team may want to check whether your IBD is active or whether something else, such as low iron or anaemia, could be contributing.

🚩 When should I get help quickly?

Tell an adult straight away if you feel very weak, faint, confused or seriously unwell.

You may need urgent medical attention if you're having severe symptoms, significant bleeding, repeated vomiting or signs of serious dehydration.

Don't try to push through feeling seriously unwell.

🌱 Getting your energy back

When your IBD is brought back under control, your energy should hopefully start to improve too.

But it may not happen overnight.

You might feel better one day and completely exhausted the next.

That's okay.

Recovery isn't always a straight line.

Give yourself time.

Celebrate the little improvements:

“I got through the school day.”

“I had enough energy to see my friend.”

“I went for a short walk.”

“I didn't need to rest as much today.”

Those things count.

💛 Remember

Feeling exhausted during an IBD flare doesn't mean you're lazy, weak or not trying hard enough.

Fatigue is a real symptom.

Your body is dealing with inflammation, and it may need extra energy and extra rest.

Listen to your body.

Eat and drink as well as you can.

Take breaks.

Ask for support at school.

And tell your IBD team if your tiredness is severe, persistent or getting worse.

You don't have to keep up with everyone else while your body is recovering.

Rest isn't giving up. It's part of looking after yourself. 💛