Constipation, which is characterized by difficult or infrequent bowel movements, is an uncomfortable condition but can usually be treated effectively with simple remedies. Eating more high-fiber foods is one potential way to keep constipation at bay. With 4 g of fiber per 1-cup bowl, oatmeal can add fiber to your daily diet and help make sure that your digestive system processes food as efficiently as possible.
Symptoms
Before you use oatmeal as a treatment for constipation, determine whether you have the condition or not. Neglecting to have a bowel movement on a daily basis doesn't necessarily mean that you are constipated, but there are certain symptoms that act as more reliable indicators. According to MayoClinic.com, you are likely to be constipated if you pass fewer than three stools per week, if the bowel movements you do have are painful or difficult or if you feel "blocked."
Benefits
If you don't include enough fiber in your diet, your stool will harden, dry and pass too slowly through your colon, state MayoClinic.com health professionals. Since oatmeal is rich in fiber, it can help your colon effectively pass waste products. Oatmeal contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which enhance digestive system function. Soluble fiber forms a gel when combined with water and helps lower cholesterol levels, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and promotes efficient digestion.
Limitations
Having just one bowl of oatmeal isn't likely to clear up a serious case of constipation. MayoClinic.com recommends getting 22 to 28 g of fiber daily if you're a woman and 28 to 34 g daily if you're a man. One cup of oatmeal will provide just 4 g, but it can serve as a significant part of the diet you'll need to develop to improve your digestion. In addition to eating cooked oatmeal, you can boost your daily fiber intake and ease digestion by eating granola, oat-based bread, oat casseroles, oatmeal cookies and other whole grain and high-fiber foods.
Considerations
If your constipation has lasted for longer than a week or if you are experiencing abdominal pain and other severe symptoms, it can be more beneficial to see a physician than to try to treat the condition yourself with oatmeal or any other remedy. In rare cases, constipation can be a symptom of a serious condition such as cancer or autoimmune disease.
