They appear to be the picture of health – young women in the prime of their youth with glowing skin and fit physiques.
But, for a growing number quietly struggling with a crippling ‘invisible’ condition usually associated with old age, looks can be deceptive.
Experts are warning that more people in their teens, 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with arthritis, especially women who have greater hormonal fluctuations than men. Some have even ended up in wheelchairs.
The disease, which causes painful swelling and stiffness in the joints, can be triggered or worsened by lack of sleep, diets high in fatty processed foods, and inflammation.
The most common forms of the condition are osteoarthritis, which causes cartilage on bones to break down, and rheumatoid arthritis when the immune system starts attacking the joints.
Online, dozens have shared their stories about coping with arthritis, with some of the debilitating symptoms leaving them unable to walk unaided or sleep.
In one video, Aisha Kaddie, 23, revealed that she has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for the past four years, relying on regular medication to treat the debilitating pain.
In one video, 23-year-old Aisha Kaddie reveals that she has been battling rheumatoid arthritis for the past four years
While there is no cure for the condition, Kaddie said she had an infusion of Simponi Aria, an anti-inflammatory medication, every two months, and took methotrexate weekly, prescription drug that suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation.
But methotrexate, she said, came with brutal common side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, abdominal pain and loss of appetite, along with mouth sores.
In another clip, Kaddie described her arthritis as an ‘invisible disability’, recounting the moment that a stranger tutted and ‘judged’ her for parking in a disabled space unaware of the physical pain she endured daily.
Detailing the situation while sitting in her car, she said: ‘If you’re my age and you’re watching this, and you also have an invisible disability, I see you.
‘Just because your disability is not super straightforward, doesn’t mean you’re not valid and doesn’t mean you don’t have flares where it might be nice to park in a handicap spot.
‘You are valid and if someone’s judging you based on your appearance and making assumptions about you that aren’t true, you just either have to stand up for yourself or brush it off and keep pushing.
‘Because at the end of the day, those people don’t know you. They don’t know your experience and they don’t know what you’ve gone through to get to where you’re at today.’
Kaddie is far from alone. TikTok creator Lycette Beatty was also diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her 20s, which prevented her from enjoying one of her biggest passions – dancing – until she received treatment.
Beatty said that when the condition was at its worse, she could not walk or use her hands. Often, she needed to use crutches to move around her home.
However, thanks to medication, she is able to dance again and now teaches fitness classes.
Lycette Beatty reveals how she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her 20s and before she got treatment
Ali DiGiacomo was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 15 and it ruined a promising swimming career
Ali DiGiacomo was just 15 when she was diagnosed. Once a promising swimmer, her doctor warned that her joints were those of a woman in her 60s. By the age of 21, DiGiacomo’s condition had deteriorated to the point where she couldn’t walk without a cane – and sometimes a wheelchair.
But with medication and dietary changes, she has regained her mobility and now works as a personal trainer and influencer sharing the journey online in the hope of inspiring others.
Although arthritis is often seen as a disease associated with the elderly, experts warn that it can develop at any age. In the US, around 300,000 children are living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and around one in 12,000 people aged 18 to 34 is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty per cent of osteoarthritis cases occur in those aged 40 or under.
Most of the time, arthritis in older people is due to wear and tear on the joints but younger people often develop it for other reasons.
Common causes in young adults are being overweight, sedentary lifestyles, over-participation in active sports, and a family history of early onset arthritis.
But women are more prone due to a combination of factors, including hormonal fluctuations, joint anatomy, genetics and lifestyle choices. These factors can increase the risk of joint inflammation, cartilage damage and pain.
Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis among US adults in 2022, by age
Dr Carleara Weiss, who is based in New York state, told the Daily Mail that research suggested these numbers were rising.
She believes that environmental exposures such as air pollution, dietary changes and chemical disruptors could be driving immune system changes.
Gut microbiome imbalances, linked to antibiotics, ultra-processed diets and reduced microbial diversity, are being investigated as key players in autoimmune problems.
‘Arthritis is often associated with older generations, however, the condition doesn’t discriminate – with cases found in teenagers and even young children,’ Dr Weiss said.
Fluctuations in estrogen levels, particularly during and after pregnancy, can affect joint health and may trigger or exacerbate autoimmune conditions such as arthritis.
Certain genetic mutations associated with autoimmune diseases are located on the X chromosome. Women, who comprise 75 per cent of autoimmune disease patients – have two X chromosomes, potentially explaining their increased susceptibility.
Sleep, Dr Weiss added, played a crucial role.
‘As you age, you should be more aware of how your body feels and potential symptoms and how your lifestyle, especially sleep, can impact it,’ she said.
‘For those living with arthritis, poor quality sleep can worsen symptoms and lead to a vicious cycle of increased pain, stiffness, and fatigue.
‘Increased inflammation, reduced mobility, and mental health challenges are just a few of the ways poor sleep can make arthritis symptoms worse. Proper rest is crucial to help the body repair and regulate, and without it, it makes recovery and comfort more challenging.
‘Those who suffer from arthritis need to prioritize routines and lifestyle choices which improve circulation, reduce pressure, focus on comfort and rest, ensuring maximum recovery time.
‘Creating a rest-friendly environment is key, establishing bedtime (and morning) routines can help, limiting screen time, and keeping an eye on your diet, avoiding large meals, spicy dishes, and fatty foods close to bedtime.’
Treatments options can also help alleviate symptoms. Common interventions include medication and steroid injections to manage inflammation and pain, and physiotherapy to improve mobility. If none of these work, surgery may be the next step.