Bella Hadid has taken to Instagram to share a health update with fans after being taken to the hospital amid her battle with chronic illness, Lyme disease.

The model shared photos showing her in the hospital, hooked up to IV bags on Wednesday (17 September) and captioned the post: "I'm sorry, I always go MIA. I love you guys." Her photos show her life recently, and several include the 28-year-old hooked up to tubes and other hospital equipment, such as apparatus used to make breathing easier.

Bella did not share the reason for her hospital stay, but she was diagnosed with Lyme disease over a decade ago. Lyme disease is an infection that can be passed to humans by ticks and can progress to a chronic illness if left untreated. The ongoing symptoms include chronic fatigue and have been likened to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, commented on the post and seemed to confirm the chronic disease was to blame for the hospital trip. "Lyme warrior," the Dutch former model wrote. Yolanda also posted to her own social media account with a series of pictures of her daughter in hospital.

In the caption, she wrote a heartfelt tribute to her daughter and her "courageous" battle with lyme disease. Addressing fans, she said: "As you will understand, watching my Bella struggle in silence has cut the deepest core of hopelessness inside me. The invisible disability of chronic neurological Lyme disease is hard to explain or understand for anyone.

"I try to lead by example on our Lyme journey, but my own pain cannot compare to watching my baby suffer. After many years I stopped sharing my personal story because I needed an energetic shift, time to focus on my healing rather than absorb other people's opinions about my journey.

"Even so, I am the CEO of my health, and after fifteen years of searching the globe, I am still determined to find a cure affordable for all. Hopefully, soon I will share whatever we have learned and the places we have been with you and our Lyme community as soon as lab results reflect our victory.

"To my beautiful Bellita: You are relentless and courageous. No child is suppose to suffer in their body with an incurable chronic disease. I admire your bravery and your willingness to keep fighting for health despite the failing protocols and countless setbacks you have faced.

"There simply aren't words big enough for the darkness, the pain, and the unknown hell you've lived through since your diagnosis in 2013. You didn't really live, you learned how to exist inside the jail of your own paralyzed brain. I am so proud of the fighter that you are. You are not alone, I promise to have your back every step of the way, no matter how long this takes."

Her caption continued to confirm that Bella was in hospital to undergo a treatment to help manage her condition. Yolanda added: "You have fought through another month of treatment and I know god is good, miracles do happen everyday. I pray for your speedy recovery my love. This disease has brought us to our knees, but we always get back up. We will continue to fight for better days, together."

Bella was diagnosed with lyme disease in 2013, alongside her mother and her brother Anwar. Bella has previously thanked her mother for helping her through medical treatments and "believing" her about her pain. In 2023, she wrote: Thankful to my mommy for keeping all of my medical records, sticking by me, never leaving my side, protecting, supporting, but most of all, believing me through all of this."

Bella Hadid rushed to hospital as she shares huge health update on Lyme disease - The Mirror