The 66-year-old had just returned from an idyllic Caribbean holiday when she was rushed to hospital and put on a drip

Denise Welch has opened up about her recent diagnosis, after 24 hours in emergency care. The Loose Women star, 66, had only just returned home from a dream trip to the Caribbean when she was rushed to hospital almost two weeks ago.

Here, she was put on a drip and diagnosed with two interlinked conditions with potentially life-threatening consequences. On the show, she said: “I got back from a lovely holiday in the Caribbean last Saturday. All bronze, looking forward to coming on here last week and showing off my sun tan and ‘I’m back’ and all this.

“And I got rushed into hospital on the Saturday with acute peritonitis – a perforated diverticulitis,” she revealed. “So, I’ve been in hospital on a drip for a b***** week! Excuse me. Anyway, they didn’t have to do surgery, they got it with antibiotics, thank you… As my mother said, ‘Take me to the knacker’s yard’.”

Denise Welch has opened up about her recent diagnosis, after 24 hours in emergency care ( 
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Getty Images)
The NHS explains that acute peritonitis is an infection of the inner lining of the stomach, covering organs like the liver, kidneys and bowel. This usually results from a burst stomach ulcer, appendix or, in Denise’s case, complications of ‘diverticulitis’.

A perforated diverticulum specifically refers to a tear in the bowel wall which, left untreated, can be fatal. “In rare cases, an infected diverticulum (pouch in your colon) can split, spreading the infection into the lining of your abdomen (perforation),” NHS Inform explains.

“An infection of the lining of the abdomen is known as peritonitis. Peritonitis can be life-threatening, and requires immediate treatment with antibiotics. Surgery may also be required to drain any pus that has built up, and it may be necessary to perform a colostomy.”

The most common symptoms of peritonitis include persistent stomach pain, a high fever, rapid heartbeat and unusual changes to your urination patterns. Other patients also report a lack of appetite, nausea and a swollen stomach.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to immediate medical help. Critical complications like sepsis can take place if the infection spreads. NHS advice adds: “If you’re diagnosed with peritonitis, you’ll need treatment in hospital to get rid of the infection.

“Treatment usually involves being given antibiotics into a vein (intravenously). If you have regular kidney dialysis, your doctor might discuss a different way of doing it until the peritonitis has been treated.

“…It can be difficult to digest food if you have peritonitis. A feeding tube might be passed into your stomach through your nose or placed inside your stomach using keyhole surgery. If a feeding tube cannot be used, liquid nutrients can be given directly into one of your veins.”

The star is certainly grateful to be on the mend now and even joked about the whole ordeal ( 
Image:
Mike Marsland/WireImage)

While Denise assured she was well cared for by doctors, she took a moment to highlight another especially negative part of her hospital experience. “I was rushed into hospital. I was alright, but I was in A&E for 24 hours,” she said.

“Now, they were looking after me and there was no bed, they kept saying, ‘There’s no bed for you’. They wanted me on the surgical ward. [They said,] ‘There’s no bed, there’s no bed, there’s no bed.’ Somebody had spotted me and phoned the press – and I was in a bed in 15 minutes.”

However, the star is certainly grateful to be on the mend now and even joked about the whole ordeal. “I’m eating and believe you me, what’s going on down there, I’m a loose woman – believe me!” she quipped.