Ever thought you are too young to have osteoporosis, arthritis or even high blood pressure?

Think again.

Of late, more and more young people find themselves suffering from ailments that are pegged for "old people".

Well, the playing fields are level and everybody is now fair game - young or old.

With the help of doctors, Sowetan delves into what diseases people should be aware of.

We also find out why young people are now at risk and, most importantly, how they can go about protecting themselves.

Pretoria-based gynaecologist Emmanuel Moagi says the illness that he sees commonly among young people nowadays is cervical cancer.

"Cervical cancer used to affect post-menopausal women in their late 50s, but even a 20-year-old can suffer from cervical cancer [today]," he says.

Moagi says the spike in cervical cancer in young people comes from increased sexual activity.

"Because more and more young women are sleeping with older men, we see a hike in human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV, which are the main catalysts for cervical cancer."

Moagi says this is the reason why doctors encourage girls and women to have a pap smear once a year.

Sowetan also spoke to Tembisa-based general practitioner Lydia Masemola.

"Ninety-five percent of cases of high blood pressure in young adults is hereditary. Most young people do not actually know this . but the other main causes of high blood pressure in young adults is their high salt intake. This can cause severe problems like kidney failure and high blood pressure," she says.

On high cholesterol levels, Masemola says "because of their love for junk food and processed fats, we are seeing more and more young people with high cholesterol levels".

"Foods like polony, fat cakes, russians, viennas and chips, which young people eat on an almost daily basis, are the main catalysts for young people being vulnerable to cholesterol."

And, yes, young people can suffer strokes too.

When you have the above two diseases - high blood pressure and high cholesterol - the end result can be having a stroke at a very young age.

Suffering a stroke at a young age can affect the rest of your adult life, and you may lose the full function of your body.

In most cases, heart disease in a young person is hereditary.

The only problem is that because most young people do not go for regular checks, heart disease is usually detected at a later stage, usually when it is too late.

Lung cancer has also become a serious concern.

Most people usually think lung cancer will only affect people after years of smoking. But many young people have been found to be prone to the disease.

Young people are also being affected by arthritis.

In most cases, it is hereditary, but can often be misdiagnosed and one can suffer much pain.

It is vital that, with the knowledge of a history of arthritis in the family, any complaints about painful joints or swelling in a young family member be taken seriously.

Masemola also warns that young people can suffer from impotence and erectile dysfunction.

"Erectile dysfunction will affect young men between the ages of 20 and 40 at some stage in their lives. This again proves why regular medical checks are vital."

So what can young people do to prevent these conditions?

Masemola says a change of lifestyle is vital.

"The mentality that one is young and can therefore be reckless needs to be demolished," she says.

Masemola advises that young people should:

- Abstain from sex. This is seen as nearly impossible by most young people, but if they weigh the consequences of engaging in risky sexual behaviour and abstaining, the choice is fairly simple;

- Reduce alcohol intake and smoking. Reduce these because most young people will never completely stop drinking and smoking. But young people need to be aware that smoking and drinking usually exacerbate any illness they might have, as well as bringing about many problems they otherwise wouldn't have;

- Exercise. It is a fact that young people do not like to exercise. Exercising rids your body of toxins as well as keeping you in shape;

- Increase fruit and vegetable intake; and

- Have annual medical checks. Do not go to the doctor only when you are sick. Having a full physical done on a yearly basis can help doctors detect what ailments are lurking, and nip the problem in the bud before it is too late.