Flares are a dreaded part of living with IBS. Identifying and avoiding the triggers of IBS flares becomes an important part of managing the condition and living as close to a normal life as possible.

On myIBSteam, the social network and online support group for those living with IBS members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Flares are one of the top 10 topics most discussed.

Here are a few question-and-answer threads about flares:

• What food do you eat after a flare?

• How soon do you explain your illness to new friends?

• Weight Gain? Has anyone experienced this even if you can barely eat?

Here are conversations that have taken place about flares:

• Just in the middle of a really bad flare up.

• At the minute I'm in the third week of a flare but it's doable.

• Been a tough few days, I'm having a major flare up still.

Have another topic you'd like to discuss or explore? Go to myIBSteam today and start the conversation. You'll be surprised just how many others may share similar stories.

Feel free to ask a question here.