A Lanarkshire woman is hoping to ease the strain for locals struggling with toilet trouble - after penning a new book about constipation.
Helen Irwin, of Cambuslang, has dealt with the issue for most of her life, and has tried a number of different solutions to the problem.
She has now gathered a number of tips and advice into a book that she's cheerfully titled Help! I Can't Poop!
However, although the name of the book is light-hearted, constipation is a condition that can cause serious problems and that's why why the 69-year-old is hopeful her work can help others suffering similar issues.
Helen told Lanarkshire Live: "My mum took me to the family doctor with an incredibly sore tummy when I was seven years old. The doctor examined me and said it was an inflamed appendix and there was a danger the appendix could burst at any moment.
"I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance with sirens wailing and taken straight to an operating theatre to have my appendix removed.
"After all the drama, the surgeon spoke to my mum and said they removed the appendix, but it hadn't been inflamed, and the cause of the tummy ache was actually constipation which I've suffered from since then."
Helen went on: "A few years ago I set up a Facebook group for others who have constipation, just passing on advice from my own experiences, and after that I started thinking about collecting them into a book.
"I've read lots of books looking to find a cure and although I've never found that, I did find a lot of things that have helped me over the years.
"There are plenty of books out there, but most of them are written by medical professionals. They are helpful and caring, but it's not the same as someone that actually has the condition and knows exactly how you'll feel. I think that's what makes my book different."
Helen's book has nine chapters, each with a Fact File and a My Story . The f act files give information on the chapter topic, such as dietary fibre, water, probiotics or fermented food, before Helen discusses her own experiences with them.
Opening up publicly about her personal experiences was one of the hardest things about writing the book for Helen, who previously worked as a customer care manager.
She explained: "I'm quite an introvert, so I didn't quite like putting my toilet habits out there. I had to get over that embarrassment before going forward with the book, but since it came out it's been a really positive reaction from people.
"I've had a lot of folk with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) getting in touch as well to say they have found it useful."
Constipation is believed to affect around 12.8 people out of every 1000 in the UK, and the condition can affect both men and women of any age.
For Helen, she has found it has worsened at certain times in her life, as well as being something she has to adapt to.
"It has always been there and there are times it gets worse. It became really chronic when I was pregnant for example, and a few years ago I tried the keto diet for my health, which was very good for joint pain but made the constipation so much worse.
"I have to manage it with water, lifestyle and diet - but it's always there. It can be difficult when you're on holiday abroad for example, and having different food - things like that you have to adjust to.
"People can be compassionate but not ever quite understand it. I hope the book can help with that."
Help! I can't Poop! is available now via on Amazon as a Kindle at £8 and the paperback at £13.50, or from Helen directly £8 + £2 postage in the UK.
Helen can be reached at help4pooping@gmail.com for further details.
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