| The act of climbing is a highly demanding, physically | | | | apparent, but too many or especially horrific breaks |
| draining sport that requires a great deal from you and | | | | can lead to late life arthritis. |
| your body to be successful at. If you spend the time | | | | Head Injuries |
| necessary to become a serious, well trained climber, | | | | There is a major correlation between head injuries |
| you will no doubt feel it in due course. Too many | | | | early in life and alzheimer's not to mention the |
| climbers assume that the brunt of their risk comes in | | | | immediate risks of any blow to the head. Helmets are |
| the form of death or severe injury - but there are | | | | an especially good addition to anyone's safety gear. |
| plenty of smaller, more immediate health risks to | | | | Dehydration |
| consider. | | | | The loss of fluids, which make up over 70% of the |
| Musculo-Skeletal Disorders | | | | human body, can be extremely detrimental to your |
| When you climb over long periods of time, in an | | | | health if ignored. Your kidneys can suffer severe |
| intense setting, you can start to develop MSDs such | | | | damage, especially if you ignore the dehydration and |
| as tendentious, arthritis, carpal tunnel, and tarsal | | | | push forward. Always have water on hand. |
| tunnel. Any one of these disorders can cause you to | | | | Silicosis and Ear Damage |
| become temporarily disabled to the point of being | | | | Noise exposure and silica dust are both equally |
| unable to climb any further or even to enjoy basic | | | | damaging to your health in the long term if you put |
| everyday activities. To avoid the risks of MSDs, do | | | | up bolts on a regular basis. The noise can damage |
| not climb too much, train beyond your body's limit or | | | | your hearing beyond repair and silicon can lead to the |
| go out when you have an existing injury. If you feel | | | | deadly and untreatable onset of silicosis. |
| pain, listen to that pain and take a short break from | | | | Falls and Nerve Compression |
| your activity - your body needs this rest to | | | | When you fall hard from a boulder or low ground |
| recuperate. | | | | climb, you may not feel much more than some |
| Skin Cancer | | | | bruising and discomfort, but you are increasing your |
| We all know that skin cancer can develop if we | | | | risk of later life arthritis and nerve compression - to |
| spend too much time in the sun, but for some | | | | the point that you might lose nerve sensations in |
| reason, we don't think about the correlation between | | | | parts of your body. |
| outdoor sports and sun exposure. It is the furthest | | | | If you are climbing on a regular basis and recognize |
| thing from most peoples' minds. Use cover-up, | | | | any of these seven common ailments as something |
| sunscreen, and protective clothing to keep your body | | | | you experience, you should take care to ensure you |
| safe from skin cancer. Your lips are especially | | | | do not become any more overwhelmed. Rest and let |
| unprotected, so be aware of how the sun affects | | | | your body recover and if you are starting to acquire |
| your body at all times. | | | | arthritic conditions take a break and see your doctor |
| Broken Bones | | | | - these conditions can ruin a perfectly good climbing |
| The obvious immediate risk of broken bones is | | | | career beyond repair. |