Rock Climbers May Be at an Increased Risk of Arthritic Conditions

(Newswire.net — January 23, 2017) Winnetka, IL — Rock climbing has been a popular outdoor sport that many people from around the world engage in. There are many health benefits offered by this activity. However, it may also come with a heavy price.

Rock climbers may be at an increased risk of arthritic conditions. Arthritis makes daily life a struggle for many people. There are different types of arthritis, and the most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Arthritis is undeniably a painful condition. Pain is a symptom that results in a reduced quality of life that sufferers deal with on a daily basis. In addition to pain, there are other symptoms such as stiffness and physical limitations.

Even individuals who don’t engage in rock climbing struggle with arthritis due to pain and there are even those who become unable to drive, clean their homes, or even work due to pain.

Physical activities increase the risk of injury, even minor ones such as bruises or scrapes. However, this risk may be higher in individuals who engage in extreme sports, such as rock climbing.

Rock climbing involves defying gravity. Despite the dangers, many people still want to make it a part of their life.

There are possible long-term undesirable consequences of engaging in this sport. When an accident happens, it could even lead to the risk of permanent disability or death.

In addition to injuries and possible fatal consequences linked with rock climbing, this sport also may make enthusiasts susceptible to memory loss as well as depression. This normally occurs when there is swelling in the brain due to repeated injuries. There are even those who suffer from fractures of the spine.

Many sporting activities have been linked with the increased risk of osteoarthritis. This condition is believed to develop due to wear and tear in the joint cartilage.

The cartilage works by protecting the bones from friction when the body moves. It actually makes moving smooth and painless. However, when the cartilage health deteriorates, there is nothing to protect the bones from rubbing each other.

Once the bones create friction, it leads to inflammation and pain. This is why arthritis sufferers often experience pain and other discomforts. The joints in the hands are the major targets of osteoarthritis that impacts rock climbers.

Various types of sporting activities cause joint impact as well as torsional loading. It may also lead the neuromuscular function to cause the formation of osteophyte, and this has an effect on osteoarthritis risk.

Placing too much strain on the joints could potentially increase osteoarthritis risk. When a sporting activity subjects the joints to torsional loading and high levels of impact, it increases this risk.

Rock climbers and even those who don’t engage in athletic activities often use medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This type of medication is used to alleviate pain and help fight inflammation.

While NSAIDs and other pain medications are widely used, they may lead to some side effects. These adverse effects may even be threatening for overall health.

There are natural alternatives that are considered to be safer than certain types of medications, and it includes what many people believe to be a strong anti-inflammatory.

One of the potential anti-inflammatories is ashwagandha, which is an ancient herb. The use of ashwagandha has long been believed to offer various health benefits, particularly to arthritis sufferers.

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