Bella Hadid's Health Battle: Inside Her Ongoing Fight with Lyme Disease

EXCLUSIVE: Bella Hadid Opens Up About Her Ongoing Battle with Lyme Disease

In a shocking revelation, supermodel Bella Hadid has taken to Instagram to share her harrowing experience with Lyme disease, leaving fans worried and concerned about her well-being.

The 28-year-old Vogue cover girl was spotted getting an IV in her arm while breathing through an oxygen tube at an overseas hospital, sparking widespread speculation on social media. The alarming images show Bella surrounded by bouquets of flowers and cards, trying to pass the time by playing cards.

In a heartfelt caption, Bella revealed that she's been battling the chronic disease for several years, leaving fans in awe of her strength and resilience. "I'm sorry I always go MIA, but I love you guys," she wrote, sharing a collection of photos showcasing her treatment journey.

Her sister Gigi Hadid was quick to respond with words of encouragement: "I love you! I hope you feel as strong and good as you deserve soon!!!!!!"

But Bella's Instagram followers weren't the only ones who reached out. A fan who's also suffering from Lyme disease wrote a touching note, asking Bella if she'd be willing to share her treatment plan. "I have it too and would love to know what you're doing for your Lyme," the fan confessed.

Bella's photos show her with IVs attached to her arm, as well as ports to make transfusions or blood draws easier. In one image, she's seen flashing a peace sign while lying on a bed in a medical setting, with a stuffed animal on her lap. Another photo shows her with an off-white cloth on her head, looking understandably distressed.

The catwalk star also shared some disturbing insights into her condition, revealing that she's been suffering from a fungal infection and parasites. A page dated to 2016 showed more test results, indicating that she was infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Bella thanked her mother Yolanda for keeping her medical records over the years, crediting her for "never leaving my side" during this difficult time. She also praised her doctors and nurses, saying they're "INCREDIBLE."

As fans rallied around Bella, offering words of encouragement and support, many wondered how she's been able to maintain a successful career while battling such a debilitating disease.

Which other celebrities have bravely spoken out about their struggles with Lyme disease?

• Justin Bieber: The 25-year-old pop star revealed his diagnosis on Instagram in early 2020, confessing that he'd been feeling severely depressed for much of 2019. Bieber alleged that doctors didn't realize he had Lyme disease until later in the year.
• Shania Twain: The country legend contracted Lyme disease during her 2003 Up! tour, resulting in dysphonia – a condition affecting the muscles of the larynx. Twain had to retrain her voice after the diagnosis.
• Avril Lavigne: The singer-songwriter spent five months bedridden as a result of Lyme disease in 2015. She even revealed that she accepted death during this period, saying "I could feel my body shutting down."
• Yolanda Hadid: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star has been battling Lyme disease remissions for years after being diagnosed in 2012. Her daughter Bella also suffers from the condition.

So, what exactly is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Common symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash called erythema migrans (EM). If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system.

Here are some alarming facts about Lyme disease:

• The first three to 30 days of infection may cause fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, and EM rash.
• Later symptoms include severe headaches, neck stiffness, additional rashes, arthritis with joint pain and swelling, facial or Bell's palsy, heart palpitations, short-term memory problems, and nerve pain.

Bella may be one of the most high-profile celebrities to speak out about Lyme disease, but she's not alone. As fans rally around her, offering support and encouragement, it's clear that Bella is determined to use her platform to raise awareness about this debilitating condition.

"I'm okay," Bella reassured her followers in a heartfelt message. "I wouldn't change anything for the world. If I had to go through all of this again, to get here, to this exact moment I'm in right now, with all of you, finally healthy, I would do it all again."

And that's exactly what we love about Bella – her resilience, strength, and determination to spread love from a "full cup."