TV presenter Cherry Healey whose kidneys are permanently SCARRED after she ignored a UTI reveals she suffered ANOTHER over Christmas
- Cherry Healey, 38, has suffered the infections more often since having children
- She suffered permanent kidney damage in 2009 after ignoring a UTI
- At her friend’s wedding at the time, she collapsed and spent five days in hospital
- Now Ms Healey cannot ignore warning signs and says early diagnosis is vital
1
View
comments
A BBC presenter has revealed how she recently suffered her ‘fastest developing’ urinary infection after being left with permanent kidney damage in 2009.
Cherry Healey, 38, became seriously ill when she ignored the signs of infection while maid of honour at her best friend’s wedding almost 10 years ago.
The presenter, known for her work on the programme Inside the Factory with Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace, now has to be extra vigilant.
And she says the UTIs which have plagued her since she was a teenager have become more frequent since having her second child, Bear, now five.
Cherry Healey, presenter of the programme Inside the Factory, revealed she has become more susceptible to urinary tract infections in the years since she left one untreated for so long it permanently damaged her kidneys
Ms Healey said she was warned that she is even more susceptible to infections since her ordeal in her 20s.
She said: ‘My most recent came last month, during Christmas and was one of the fastest developing I had experienced.
‘It went from a few twinges in the morning to lying on the floor unable to go anywhere by lunchtime.’
-
Pregnant woman who nearly died after doctors dismissed her… 
Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo could… 
Mr Universe hopeful claims he feels better than ever after… 
How an impacted wisdom tooth almost dissolved my jaw:…
Share this article
Leaving a UTI untreated and trying to beat it by drinking cranberry juice, like she had done in the past, is no longer an option.
‘It turns out I’m really susceptible to them – some women just are,’ Ms Healey told The Mirror.
‘I have learnt you can be as hygienic as you like and as fastidious about looking after yourself and still get them, so the idea that women who get them are dirty is not true.
Ms Healey said she regularly suffers UTIs but can no longer afford to wait before getting them treated – she says learning to recognise their early warning signs is important
What is cystitis?
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection.
It’s a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly in women, and is usually more of a nuisance than a cause for serious concern.
Mild cases will often get better by themselves within a few days.
However, some people experience episodes of cystitis frequently and may need regular or long-term treatment.
There’s also a chance that cystitis could lead to a more serious kidney infection in some cases, so it’s important to seek medical advice if your symptoms don’t improve.
Source: NHS Direct
‘There’s a stigma attached and people link them to one-night stands or lots of sex.
‘If I tell someone I have a UTI they look at me as if to say, “Ooh, did you have an interesting weekend?” but that’s a complete myth.
‘They can happen if I’m too hot, get dehydrated, go on a long-haul flight, if I’m over-tired – so many different reasons.’
Urinary tract infections are those which occur in the bladder, urethra or kidneys and are more common among women.
They cause pain when urinating, needing to go to the toilet more often, pain in the lower abdomen, and feeling tired and unwell.
Usually easy to treat with antibiotics, UTIs can become serious if they’re left too long and spread deeper into the body and ultimately to the kidneys.
When an illness got out of hand at her friend’s wedding in 2009 – when she claimed to be too busy to see a doctor – Ms Healey ended up collapsing in the bridal suite.
She then spent five days in hospital and was left with permanent scarring to her kidneys.
Knowing how to spot UTIs early, Ms Healey said, is key to getting them treated and avoiding these dangerous consequences.
‘I know what to look out for – if I’ve been for a wee and it’s a bit shorter than normal that’s usually the first sign,’ she told The Mirror.
‘Then I’ll get this strange ache in my pelvic area which grows and grows if you don’t do anything about it, until next time you go to the loo you’ll get the trademark sting when you wee.’
Source: Read Full Article