Questions tagged [health]
Questions related to staying healthy or dealing with health issues during outdoor activities. Answers given here are not intended as a replacement for professional medical advice. Please do not use this tag to ask for specific medical advice. A Dr should always be consulted to confirm any advice given
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Will glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate prevent or repair damage to climbers’ fingers?
I've heard that I can take glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate supplements to prevent damage to my fingers when I'm climbing. Is it true, or is just an old wives' tale?
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Guidelines to reduce risk of exposure to, or infection from Naegleria fowleri? (brain-eating amoeba)
Deaths from the "brain eating amoeba" Naegleria fowleri are fairly rare but each is highlighted in the press, as headlines containing brain eating beget clicks.
While it's not yet understood why this ...
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How to recover from muscle pain during the midst of a multi-day hiking?
When I go on for a multi-day hiking ( say, 7 or 8 days), my leg muscle will get painful in the middle of the hiking ( say, at the 4th day). Usually the muscle pain will take 5 days to heal, but I ...
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How fast do you lose heat in cold water immersion?
This question was prompted by PaulD's question about hypothermia prevention after a falling into icy water. A subsequent answer by Roddy stated that the immediate danger of cold water immersion is not ...
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What are the most common stinging plants to be aware of in North America?
What are the most common plants that can cause rashes when touched in North America? What are the most important ones to be aware of and avoid?
Before coming to the US I was only familiar with the ...
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Can I use ear plugs while ascending or descending a mountain?
Can I use ear plugs to block out noise or will my ears need to pop because of the altitude? I don’t want to get sick by using the ear plugs.
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What respirator should I get for urbex?
Sometimes while hiking/trekking/whatever I practice urbex (in random buildings, factories, farms, tunnels, the usual), and I'm aware of the risks to my health caused by toxic gas, asbestos, lead and ...
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How should a backpack be carried to keep from injuring the spine?
For example, which recommendations should backpackers follow while carrying heavy weights, and should backpack straps be tightened or loosened?
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Why would fatigue cause fever?
I've already experienced this twice.
The first time was a year ago, on a hiking camp: on the first day I recklessly went out with one of the best groups there, and while I didn't lag behind, this was ...
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Does acid rain somehow directly harm human beings?
Hiking in the rain often left me with thoughts about acid rain. I wonder if I'm able to recognize it and if yes, how strong the recognizable symptoms are.
Are there any direct (forest dieback etc. ...
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Easiest way to preserve a fishing catch - with cooking or pickling
I'm looking for the easiest way to cook or preserve fish at the river or lakeside with as minimal preparation or cooking involved so they can be eaten later. Mainly trout, pike or walleye. Ideally I ...
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Continue a hike when legs start cramping
Yesterday I was hiking in partly deep snow where postholing was inevitable. I had no problems until one moment when I was getting cramps in the femoral. Luckily it was close to the end of my tour and ...
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When do you need compensation training for bouldering?
Not only, but mainly while bouldering you are likely to push hard moves and strain your body onesided. As a consequence you can pain your muscles, ribbons or tendons. But...
How do I know if the ache ...
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Are there any contaminates that become more toxic when boiled?
The answers at How long does water need to be boiled for to kill all bacteria / viruses? indicates that boiling water kills bacteria & viruses. But boiling does not remove any chemical ...
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Is freeze-dried food healthy?
I've recently heard an opinion (from a sailor that attempted to beat a 122 day, westward route, around the world sailing record) that freeze-dried food is actually very healthy, as it contains less ...
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