To describe the natural history of a condition or disease. To describe the natural history of a condition or disease. To determine effectiveness or cost effectiveness of treatments/services and/or health care products. To measure or monitor safety and harm. To measure quality of care.
According to the NMSS, attacks or flare-ups of symptoms only qualify as exacerbations if: 1  they occur at least 30 days from an earlier flare-up. 2  symptoms last for 24 hours or longer.
Any trigger that creates an inflammatory response can/will cause a flare up - especially if you are not on maintenance medications. For some patients - even ones in remission, triggers such as GI infection, systemic illness, significant change in diet and activity, or severe emotional stress can result in a flare up.