Certain food groups which can suddenly trigger bloating, abdominal cramping, often foods eaten in isolation may be fine one week, the next a combination of factors can trigger the IBS. Combining certain food groups, such as too much dairy products consumed within a few days can set this off. Other occasions it could be wheat based products, like too much bread, coupled with too much diary this can set off horendous bloating and severe cramping. The most difficult thing is never knowing what can trigger it, some days you can eat the same foods without any ill effects and other days not. Often times you feel yourself afraid to eat because you just never know how bad it will be and what food will set it off.
The severe abdominal cramping is by far the worst, this is unrelenting and at times so bad nothing helps. The uncomfortable bloating is not pleasant either. It can interfere with your life and your activities.