Causes for colitis episods

I was diagnosed a year ago for having UC.
Then I didn't have firm stool but liquid and a lolt of gas.
6 months ago I went for 2 weeks on a vacation abroad to east Europe and everything was normal I had normal stool.
When I returned everything my bad situation returned.
I spent the past 2 months in China traveling and over there everything again returned to normal , I had bowl movement only in the morning and so I felt normal again, but now when I am back I start getting this gas accompanied with liquid attacks that I just have to run to the toilets.
Can returning to drink tap-water or dust at home/work trigger this ? any other environmental cause or any other cause you are familiar with which corresponds my story?

Thank you,
John

[mathteach]

I found that I am very sensitive to stress.  Even good stress, like getting a new job or having a baby can cause a flare-up.  Although what you eat does not UC it can make symptoms worse.  Try to keep a journal of what you are doing, what you ate, and what your UC symptoms were.  This should help you determine what your triggers are.  Unfotunately, even knowing what a typical trigger for does not guarantee you can avoid flare-ups.  This is a disease that goes in and out of remission.  Make sure you take your maintenance drugs even when you are not feeling sick and keep your regular appointments with your GI doctor to adjust medications and strategies.  I have lived with this disease since 1996.  I am now 3 1/2 years post total colectomy.  Take care of it now because the alternative is not a life-long alternative. J-pouches fail fairly often and you cannot live on steroids for the rest of your life.  Hang in there,  if you take good care of yourself, things will get better.