Former ‘Loose Women’ presenter Andrea McLean shares her ongoing health challenges and recovery journey after a serious bout of pneumonia, including significant bloating and a recent fainting incident.
Andrea McLean, the former presenter of the television show “Loose Women,” has recently opened up about her ongoing health struggles following a serious bout of pneumonia. The 55-year-old shared her experience with her 300,000 Instagram followers, highlighting a distressing symptom: significant bloating throughout the day. McLean noted that while she manages to appear “kind of normal” in the mornings, by evening, her condition worsens to the point where she likens her stomach to having “swallowed a balloon.”
The discomfort she experiences extends beyond her home, where she has resorted to wearing loose-fitting clothes to accommodate her bloated appearance. Despite these challenges, McLean has found a remedy she believes might help others facing similar digestive issues. She disclosed that she has been using a supplement called Gut Works, as recommended by Dr. Veganco, and has experienced positive results, stating, “I felt better after a couple of weeks,” and asserting that it has helped to alleviate her bloating and improve her overall wellbeing.
McLean’s health troubles began last December when she contracted pneumonia, which led to acute kidney injury and sepsis. This condition significantly reduced her lung capacity and resulted in a hospital stay for intensive treatment involving strong antibiotics and intravenous fluids. In a candid reflection of her hospital experience, she described the overwhelming sensations she faced, including “the incessant glare of harsh lighting” and “distressing cries nearby.”
In a previous post on Substack, McLean recounted the severity of her illness, admitting, “Note to self; being a big brave girl and not saying how much pain you’re in when you’ve lost 80% capacity in one of your lungs to severe pneumonia and infection is not a smart move.”
Despite her recovery efforts, McLean encountered another setback earlier this month after fainting at home, which resulted in her sustaining a black eye. In a lighthearted Instagram statement, she explained the incident as a simple misstep—”I just woke up yesterday morning and got out of bed too fast.” Fortunately, she was examined at Accident & Emergency, and while she did not suffer any fractures, the episode emphasised her continued challenges on the path to full health.
As she continues to navigate her recovery, she remains optimistic about her progress, stating that it has taken about two months for her to feel more like herself again, albeit with improvements. McLean’s willingness to share the details of her health journey provides insight into the impact of severe illness and recovery.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/loose-women-andrea-mclean-hospital-pneumonia-sepsis-b1210166.html – This article corroborates Andrea McLean’s health struggles with pneumonia, sepsis, and acute kidney injury, as well as her hospital experience and ongoing recovery challenges.
- https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/health-and-families/andrea-mclean-pneumonia-sepsis-symptoms-health-b2695860.html – This article provides information about pneumonia and its symptoms, which aligns with Andrea McLean’s experience of severe pneumonia.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article about Andrea McLean’s health journey, though it does not independently verify specific claims.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pneumonia/ – This NHS webpage explains pneumonia, its causes, and symptoms, which supports the medical aspects of Andrea McLean’s condition.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351214 – This Mayo Clinic page describes sepsis, a condition Andrea McLean was diagnosed with, providing insight into its severity and treatment.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent health issues and events, such as fainting earlier this month, indicating relatively fresh content. However, specific dates for some events are not provided.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes from Andrea McLean are included, but their original source is not explicitly mentioned. The quotes appear to be from her Instagram or Substack posts, which could not be verified as the first use.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news outlet, Get Surrey, which generally provides reliable information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Andrea McLean’s health struggles and recovery are plausible and consistent with typical experiences following severe illness. The narrative provides specific details about her condition and treatment.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with recent health updates. While direct quotes lack explicit original sources, the narrative is plausible and originates from a reliable outlet.
