Kerry Katona has opened up about her ongoing health struggles, revealing that she still experiences speech difficulties and exhaustion following a recent hospital dash. The 45-year-old former Atomic Kitten star said she has booked a full body check-up with Pall Mall Medical because she is not feeling 100%.
Writing in New magazine, Katona admitted: 'My speech still isn’t quite right and I’m exhausted. The problem is, I never put myself first. I’m either on tour, or something’s happening with the kids that needs attention.' The mother of five added that she is getting blood tests, a smear test, and a stool sample, saying: 'I take a lot of vitamins... but while you can always look amazing on the outside, it’s what’s inside that’s important.'
In April, Katona was rushed to hospital in London after fearing she was having a stroke while watching her daughter Molly in a play. She noticed she could not smile properly and her face was drooping. After a four-hour wait for a doctor at her hotel, she took a taxi to St Thomas' Hospital, where she was blue-lighted in an ambulance to King's College Hospital.
Katona said: 'They were shining lights in my eyes while my face and speech were getting worse. An hour ago I was watching our Molly in a play and now I’m being treated for a stroke.' She texted all five of her children, fearing she might never speak to them again. Scans later ruled out a stroke but revealed a part of her brain is 'broken' and unable to send signals to her face due to stress.
Katona explained: 'Every now and then, I’ll get a shooting pain in my head. And I’m noticing my speech – even though I think I’m saying something properly in my head, it doesn’t sound right out loud.' She attributed the issue to stress and a lack of social life, saying: 'I don’t go out drinking. I don’t socialise with anybody outside of my circle, which is Paolo and my kids.'
