Thirty-four-year-old John Mathews (name changed) had taken more than 20 days of leave from his work at a software firm in the city last month. Reason: Severe back and hip pain. He was unable to walk or put his mind to anything because of the pain. Though sympathetic to his condition, his boss was fuming at his inability to perform at work.

"I had been working at the firm for the past five years and never got a bad review from my seniors," he says. "After taking painkillers one after the other, I decided to consult an orthopaedic surgeon. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis."

Mathews's sedentary lifestyle and being overweight were to blame for his condition, said his doctor. Working late, partying late, erratic eating habits, smoking and drinking were a few aspects of Mathews's lifestyle before he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

"I was forced to live a normal life after visiting the doctor and after a drastic change in lifestyle and two hip surgeries, I finally lead a healthy and non-restricted life," he says.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in six people and one in three families are affected by arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common, say experts. Osteoarthritis occurs in 25% of people above 50 years as the knee and hip joints wear off with age. Doctors say lack of awareness is the main reason behind the surge in the number of arthritis patients.

"The incidence of arthritis among youngsters has certainly increased in the past one decade," says Dr HPC Khincha, orthopaedic surgeon specialising in joint replacement surgery, Sagar Hospital.

"While a lifestyle problem like obesity is one of the main reasons behind the increase in number, one can also say that the spread of awareness of arthritis has also been instrumental in bringing more and more people to hospitals for an early diagnosis."

Lack of physical activity due to advancement in technology - youngsters like to indulge in videogames more than outdoor games today; erratic working hours, irregular eating habits and so on, are a few reasons for the increase in number of arthritis patients today.

"Pain, difficulty in activities of daily living and deformity in later stages are a few symptoms that people should take seriously and consult a doctor at the earliest. Early diagnosis and treatment help one lead a healthier and a non-restrictive life," says Dr Khincha.

There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases.

"Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most common forms of arthritis. I see more and more youngsters falling prey to it nowadays. It is believed that 15 per cent of India's population suffers from arthritis. Much can be blamed on the sedentary lifestyles one leads today - obesity, bad eating habits, erratic working hours, etc are a few realities today," says Dr Thomas Chandy, director and chief of orthopaedic and joint replacement, - Hospital for Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Arthritis & Trauma (HOSMAT) Hospital.

Almost a decade ago, arthritis used to mostly affect those in their late 60s and 70s, but today, there are an increasing number of middle-aged people who suffer from it too.

"Neglecting injuries, leading a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise among the youth are reasons that make them predisposed to an arthritic condition later in their future," says Dr Hemanth Kalyan, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine, Manipal Hospital. "The best way to keep yourself from running a risk of arthritis in your 40s is by keeping a check on your lifestyle when you're younger," advises Dr Kalyan.