Log it in two taps
When you have to rush, two taps save the time. Fill in the rest later.
IBS, Crohn's and colitis
IBS and IBD symptom diary
Record each gut episode in plain words: your poo type, how often and how urgently you went, any blood, where it hurt and what you'd eaten. Then give your doctor a clear picture of what's been happening.
Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
See your doctor if you notice blood in your poo, lose weight without trying, have a fever or severe diarrhoea, or your symptoms are severe or don't go away. Get emergency help (go to an emergency department or call your local emergency number, 000 in Australia) if you have severe tummy pain with a high temperature and a rapid heartbeat, you're vomiting blood, you're bleeding non-stop from your bottom, or you're severely dehydrated.
What to record for IBS and IBD
IBS can bring tummy pain or discomfort, bloating and wind, and diarrhoea, constipation or both in turn. It's a different condition from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where a flare-up of Crohn's or colitis can bring loose poo or diarrhoea, sometimes with blood, an urgent need to go, and tummy pain. The template asks about each gut episode, so the details are written down while they're fresh. Fill in what you can and skip anything you'd rather not. You can always come back later.
- Your poo type, on the Bristol scale
- How many times you went
- How urgently you needed to go
- Any blood or mucus
- Where the pain was, on a body map
- What you ate and drank before
- How bad it was
- When it started, and how long it lasted
For the days you're running to the toilet
Pick your poo type
Choose from the seven Bristol types, from hard lumps to watery, so you and your doctor are describing the same thing.
Note what you ate
Record what you ate and drank before each episode, so any patterns have a chance to show over time.
Note what was going on
IBS symptoms are sometimes linked to certain foods, stress or your mood. With Crohn's or colitis, a diary of symptoms can help you notice possible triggers for flare-ups. Tap any that were going on. Over time, your report shows how often each one came up, as plain counts.
Questions about IBS and IBD diaries
Does Kind Witness diagnose IBS or IBD?
No. Kind Witness is a diary. It records what you tell it and helps you share it. Only your doctor can tell you what it means. Read our medical disclaimer
Can a diary help before I have a diagnosis?
Yes. Writing your symptoms down before your appointment helps you remember them, and a diary of what you eat and any symptoms can help you see what seems to set them off. It's important your doctor sees you, to rule out more serious conditions.
What's the Bristol scale?
It's a chart that sorts poo into seven types, from hard lumps to watery. Choosing a type each time means you and your doctor are describing the same thing, without long explanations.
Can I track flare-ups?
Yes. A flare-up is when symptoms come back and you feel unwell, and with IBS there can be better days and worse ones. Each episode is its own entry, so your report shows how often they happened and how long they lasted.
Can I keep track of my medicines?
Yes. Record each medicine with its dose and when you take it, tick a missed or late dose, and mark when a medicine or dose changes. Anything else you notice can go in an entry in your own words.
Can I track gut symptoms alongside endometriosis?
Yes. Constipation, diarrhoea and pain when doing a poo can also be symptoms of endometriosis. Choose every condition that applies when you set up. Each entry uses the template you pick, and reports can show each condition on its own or all together. Endometriosis pain and symptom diary
Is my diary private?
Your diary is stored and encrypted on your phone. Nothing leaves it unless you send it. How we protect your diary
Is there a paper version?
Yes. The free printable symptom diary asks the same basic questions as the app, so you can fill it in by hand. Printable diaries
Written by Kind Witness · Sources checked 31 October 2026
Sources
- healthdirect. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). December 2024.
- NHS (UK). Symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). 17 March 2025.
- NHS (UK). Getting diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). 17 March 2025.
- NHS (UK). Diet, lifestyle and medicines for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). 17 March 2025.
- Crohn's & Colitis UK. Flare-ups with Crohn's or Colitis. September 2023.
- Continence Health Australia. Bristol stool chart.
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Endometriosis symptom checklist. 2025.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If something is new, severe or worrying you, contact your doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number (000 in Australia). Medical disclaimer