Some good general health practices to consider:

• If you have special health needs, consult an appropriate medical provider.

• Use medical providers that follow standard medical guidelines. In the United States, the main guidelines are established by the US Preventative Services Taskforce. Recommendations are graded based on supporting evidence.

• Limit your use of radioactive equipment. They may increase the risk of cataracts or cancer.

• Use photography equipment properly.

  • Some of the conditions you list are not associated with camera equipment unless they are used improperly. You should not swing cameras and lenses around like golf clubs or tennis racquets.

  • Some of the conditions you list have no known cause. There is nothing you can do to prevent them.

To prevent some musculoskeletal problems associated with carrying equipment around:

• Use bags and backpacks that are designed to carry heavy gear for long distances. They will have features that increase comfort and reduce strain, such as neoprene straps. Most camera bags are designed to be used only for fairly short distances.

• Carry less and lighter equipment – a single camera and lens. Use the rest of the space in the backpack for something that weighs less than extra cameras and lenses, like extra batteries or memory cards. Some options, from lightest to heaviest:

  • Smartphone.
  • Compact camera.
  • Bridge camera.
  • Camera with walkabout lens or superzoom (18-135, 24-105, 18-200, etc).
  • Camera with "pro" superzoom (EF 28-300/3.5-5.6 L). I suspect most "pros" wouldn't be caught dead with this lens even though it is an "L" series lens.

• Convince friends and family to carry some equipment for you.