Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. The stool is often hard and dry. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling as if one has not completely passed the bowel movement. Complications from constipation may include hemorrhoids, anal fissure or fecal impaction.
Primary care doctors, such as internists and family doctors, may treat people who have mild P.A.D. For more advanced P.A.D., a vascular specialist may be involved. This is a doctor who specializes in treating blood vessel diseases and conditions.
For people with IBD, the gastroenterologist is going to be the doctor that gives the most care, prescribes the most medications, and offers the most assistance. There will be other important members of a healthcare team involved too, and a gastroenterologist can help in putting together the right team.