While we are used to seeing supermodel Bella Hadid on Vogue covers and looking radiant on the runway, she has been suffering behind closed doors and bed bound because of Lyme disease, so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms
We are used to seeing supermodel Bella Hadid on glossy magazine covers, walking the runway, working with major brands like Dior and Versace, or hanging out with her fellow celebrity friends Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and fellow supermodel sister Gigi Hadid. However, looks can be deceiving as behind her glamorous job and lifestyle, Bella has been battling with Lyme disease.
The 28-year-old shared tearful pictures on her Instagram recently. The model shared snaps of her being bed-bound in hospital with tubes attached to her. She has been playing card games in bed with loved ones, watching plenty of TV and getting a lot of rest as she battles through her tick-borne illness. Bella said: “I’m sorry I always go MIA, I love you guys.”
Bella, whose mum and Real Housewives of Beverley Hills star mum Yolanda Hadid has also battled Lyme disease for many years, has been showered with love by fans who wish her well. She added that she will be sharing more about how she is managing her illness when she “gains more energy”.
Bella’s mum, who was also a successful model, explained in a post that watching her daughter struggle “in silence” has “cut the deepest core of hopelessness inside me.”
What is Lyme disease?
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According to the NHS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. While it can be difficult to diagnose, it is usually easier to treat if it is diagnosed early.
It can transmitted by the bite of a tick infected with Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Ticks survive in many habitats but prefer moist areas with leaf litter or longer grass, such as woodland, grassland, moorland, heathland and some urban parks and gardens.
Ticks climb on to your clothes or skin if you brush past vegetation. They then bite into the skin and start to feed on your blood. Not all ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
Lyme disease symptoms
It is important to understand the symptoms to look out for. One woman named Ali, who can relate to Bella Hadid, shared a video on her @alitmoresco113 TikTok account recently, issuing a warning about what signs to look out for. She also shared what it is really like to live with the condition.
Ali, who boasts thousands of followers, said: “Bella Hadid has shared a very vulnerable series of photos this morning, that really peels back the curtain and gives a hard, honest look as to what it’s like to undergo Lyme disease treatment and often it’s not glamorous, it is gruelling and it is invasive and it is mentally and physically one of the most draining things.”
She further noted that people who have never been through it, do not understand it. Ali added: “Looking at these photos I was reflecting on my own journey and I’m sure it’s caused you to do the same.”
Ali has listed some of the signs to look out for, including:
- Severe fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Joint pain and muscle aches
- Brain fog, memory issues, difficulty concentrating
- Neurological symptoms like tingling, numbness or dizziness
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Headaches and migraines
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Mood changes including anxiety or depression
- Digestive issues and nausea
- Heart palpitations or chest pain
The NHS adds: “A few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that can last for years. These symptoms are often compared to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s not clear why this happens to some people and not others. This means there’s also no agreed treatment.”
The NHS also note that people should be aware that some websites offer tests and treatment for Lyme disease that may not be supported by scientific evidence.
Speak to a doctor if you’re worried about your health and for advice before buying tests or treatment online.