Climate change, impact on health. What is the best climate for health? Effects on the cardiovascular system
Acclimatization is not a pleasant phenomenon. Poor health, disturbed sleep, malfunctioning of the nervous system - this is not a complete list of its consequences. And here it is no longer up to the joy of vacation or not to work on a business trip, just the thought: when will it get better? To avoid all these problems and adapt as gently as possible to unfamiliar conditions, it is worth following the simple advice of doctors. Nikolai Petrov, a physician of the highest category of the Clinical and Diagnostic Center "Medintsentr" (a branch of the GlavUpDK under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia), told AiF.ru how to get through this difficult process faster.
Why does it appear?
Acclimatization is the process of adaptation of the body to a new climate and environmental conditions, time zone and food products. This process very often manifests itself after a few days in a new climatic zone.
The main reason for the occurrence is the body's need to rebuild its defense reactions in accordance with the new conditions of climate and geographic location. Specific environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, amount of light, change of time zone and new food, require a person to change not only some functions of the body, but also mental state.
Adaptation times vary from 2 to 7-10 days, so it is better to plan a vacation for a period of 20 days. Children and people of middle and older age, as well as those who have chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, diseases of the lungs and bronchi, and pregnant women are subject to acclimatization.
There are several types of acclimatization:
- thermal: occurs due to increased air temperature, humidity and excess solar radiation;
- high-altitude: appears in ski resorts where low oxygen concentration leads to a decrease in hemoglobin levels;
- cold: caused by a lack of ultraviolet rays, low temperatures, possible strong magnetic storms.
How does it manifest?
The main symptoms of acclimatization are a slight rise in temperature, which disappears on its own within a few days. Also, against the background of adaptation to new conditions, headaches, decreased blood pressure, sleep disturbances, insomnia or drowsiness appear, sometimes - nausea or vomiting, general weakness of the body, increased fatigue, bowel disorders, sudden mood changes, decreased appetite, physical or mental activity ...
How to avoid?
Acclimatization diagnostics aims to distinguish adaptation processes from other diseases. That is why there is no need to self-medicate, but it is better to contact a therapist at the place of stay to exclude pathological processes.
Depending on the symptoms, antipyretic drugs, cough suppressants, nasal drops, antidiarrheals, enzymes that improve digestion are prescribed.
The optimal prevention of acclimatization is planning a vacation for a period of at least 2 weeks. It is better to go on vacation by train or car and not travel with children far outside the region of residence.
Upon arrival, it is better to give up alcohol for a few days, if possible, choose the evening or night time of arrival, so that the body has time to rest and recover. During the daytime, you must use protective equipment: glasses, sunburn in warm climates or creams to protect the skin during winter holidays. In hot weather, remember to drink plenty of water. Night sleep should be at least 8 hours. It is advisable to take vitamin preparations before arriving at the place of rest, and in the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system - drugs that increase its resistance.
When traveling to distant countries, not everyone thinks that it may be fraught with some health complications. Long flights by plane, abrupt climate change, unusual food and water, “different” sun with a new level of ultraviolet radiation can have an adverse effect on the traveler's body.
The change in the state of the body with a sharp change in climate and environmental conditions is usually called "Acclimatization" , in which general health worsens. Usually such changes are temporary, while the body gradually adapts to new conditions.
Doctors consider several main factors of climate change that can affect the body:
- air temperature;
- humidity level;
- oxygen level in the air;
- the duration of daylight hours;
- timezone (coincidence / non-coincidence with the usual belt);
- weather;
- new composition of drinking water;
- new food products;
- the degree of ultraviolet radiation.
How does climate change affect the body?
A tourist who had to move to an area where the weather and climatic conditions are very different from those that are usual for his body runs the risk of difficult acclimatization. Experts believe that the difference of 10-15 ° C is significant, but the most dangerous is coming to a country where the temperature level is much higher (or lower) than the temperature to which the body is accustomed.
According to experts, acclimatization represents several adaptive states of the body:
|
Phase |
Phase (first) orientation |
Reactivity phase |
Rebuilding phase |
|
Symptoms |
|
|
|
|
Phase time |
1-2 days after arriving in another region. |
2-4 days after arriving in another region. |
4-10 days after arriving in another region. |
It should be noted that the time of the phase, symptoms and other consequences of climate change are always individual in nature. Most people easily tolerate acclimatization and do not experience any ailments.
Some may notice a deterioration in general well-being during the first days after flying to another country, while others suffer from acclimatization symptoms for more than one week. Doctors cannot answer with certainty why all people endure the processes of adaptation of the body to new environmental conditions in different ways.
Perhaps an important role in this is played by:
- age,
- body endurance,
- current state of health,
- having a problem with blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
How to avoid the consequences of climate change?
To better endure a sharp change in climate and avoid feeling unwell when traveling to distant countries, you need to adhere to the recommendations.
Special "equipment"
If you are traveling to a region with a hot climate, provide yourself and your companions with the necessary equipment that will help you avoid the effects of climate change and hot weather: be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, anti-scald Panthenol ointment, and a bottle or thermos with water.
For colder climates (eg Greenland, Iceland), also take care of warm clothes, spare woolen socks, hats and scarves that will keep you from wind and cold. A thermos for hot tea will also be useful.
Avoiding alcohol in the early days
You should not drink alcoholic beverages and try unusual exotic dishes and products in the first days of your stay in a foreign country. Your body is going through a difficult period after a sharp change in climate, so unusual food and alcohol will become an additional burden for it.
First aid kit is always with you
Not only in your suitcase, but also in the carry-on bag with which you will travel around the city, you should have all the necessary drugs and supplies that can help in an unexpected situation outside the hotel. If you are planning trips to rainforests, deserts or other excursions to wild places where there is no civilization nearby, it is important to first familiarize yourself with the possible risks and take with you everything your guide or instructor advises.
When compiling a list for a "manual" first aid kit, it is also worth considering that in some countries a number of drugs may be prohibited for use without a doctor's prescription. Check out the list of such medicines before you go abroad.
How to properly prepare for a sharp climate change?
Move to a new time in advance, but gradually. If the time zone difference is only 3-5 hours, you can easily afford to change your sleep and wake modes long before traveling. But it's best to do it gradually. Set the alarm clock for a new time, go to bed earlier (or later), try to eat in the new daily routine too. This will allow the body to move to the new time zone faster.
Climate is a long-term weather regime inherent in a particular area, one of the main characteristics of nature and geographic landscape. The climate is determined by the following factors: temperature and relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, the number of sunny days per year, the strength and direction of the wind, the amount of precipitation, etc. Conventionally, two bands of tropical climate can be distinguished, two temperate and two cold. The weather conditions of a particular region depend not only on the climatic zone, but also on its geographical location. The further this or that area is removed from the sea, the more different the seasons there. This feature is noticeable in Central Europe - the maritime climate dominates in the north, while the climate in the Alps is completely different.
Climate impact on humans
The weather conditions of a country or region greatly affect the lifestyle of the population. The climate depends on which residential buildings are being built in a particular region, what is the daily routine and the appearance of residents. The impact of climate on health can be extremely negative.
Climatic resorts
Climatic conditions can be irritating, calming and tonic on a person. In many countries there are many climatic resorts. When choosing a resort, you should consult a doctor.
Climate fluctuations tire
In those regions where climate fluctuations are weak, the human body is exposed to less stress than in those where the difference between the seasons is very strong. True, certain climatic factors can affect human health, for example, ultraviolet rays are necessary for normal bone growth.
The amount of heat given off by the body depends on the air temperature. At low ambient temperatures and insufficient body protection, a person can freeze. At very high ambient temperatures, a person's sweating increases, thus the body regulates body temperature. Sweating leads to a large loss of fluids, which can adversely affect human health. At high altitudes, due to too low pressure, the function of the ear labyrinth may be disrupted - dizziness occurs; if air with a low oxygen content is inhaled, altitude sickness can develop.
Some people are very sensitive to weather changes. Of course, the weather in this case is not the true cause of the deterioration in well-being, but only one of the factors causing this condition. Such ailments are divided into an increased sensitivity to weather changes, manifested in a decrease in working capacity, and "meteorological stability", in which pains of a rheumatic or neuralgic nature arise. Comparative observations have shown that certain weather conditions can provoke the occurrence of certain diseases, deterioration of health and even death of patients suffering from certain diseases. When a warm atmospheric front moves through the area, patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system experience a deterioration in their well-being. When the cold atmospheric front prevails, people suffer from colic and spasms.
Climate change of the planet
The old people's assertions that earlier the winter was colder and the summer was warmer are true. When coal, oil and natural gas burns, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released, and therefore the Earth's climate becomes warmer. Meteorologists believe that this warming is strongly affecting the climate and health of the entire planet. It is assumed that the so-called "greenhouse" effect is the cause of many natural disasters. The destruction of the ozone layer, which filters the sun's rays, has an extremely unfavorable effect on the planet's climate. Due to the increased level of ultraviolet radiation, the earth's surface will become warmer, which will entail a change in the temperature regime, the regime of winds and rains, and an increase in sea level.
People are constantly under the influence of the microclimate of the area where they live. One and the same weather regime has a certain power on a person's working capacity and mood. Even if the final one is accustomed to one, the seasonal change in the weather still affects him to some extent.
Moreover, some individuals, who are scientifically called meteopaths, are very painful to perceive the changes taking place with the weather.
The microclimate itself includes several phenomena: a change in meteorological indicators, atmospheric electricity, clear radiation, landscape, etc. That is, this whole complex of factors has a certain effect on the body.
Influence of microclimate on human health
Individual elements affect a person in different ways. For example, a high ambient temperature provokes stretching of peripheral vessels, a decrease in blood pressure and the rate of metabolic processes, and there is a redivision of blood in the body.
But when the thermometer reads low, there is a contraction of peripheral vessels, an increase in pressure, an increase in pulse rate, an increase in blood flow and an increase in the rate of metabolic processes.
What is the result of environmental factors:
- The nervous system at high temperatures decreases its activity, and at low temperatures, on the contrary, excitability increases. Other body systems operate in a similar way. Basically they depend on the reaction of metabolism, circulatory and nervous systems. However, it is necessary to consider the individual characteristics of the organism, as well as the degree, duration and speed of the temperature drop. A person's ability to acclimatize also plays a role: in some it is cooler, in others it is almost absent. In the process of life, people develop conditioned reflexes of thermoregulation, which in the future are responsible for the stability of the body to air temperature;
- Air humidity is also important. This factor affects heat transfer, which, accordingly, affects the thermoregulation of the body. The movement of cold air cools the body, hot air heats it up;
- At the same time, the wind irritates the thermoreceptors on the skin. Depending on the strength of this phenomenon, it can cause negative or correct emotions;
- If the height of the terrain above the sea level is 200 m and higher, then the barometric pressure indicators change, to which the body reacts by changing blood circulation and hyperventilation of the lungs. The higher the terrain, the more powerful the reaction of the body. At the same time, the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the blood increases. Being in an area with a pressure of 500-600 mm Hg. Art., low temperature, ultraviolet radiation provokes an acceleration of the metabolic process, which is occasionally quite effective in the presence of pathological processes. Traditionally healthy people do not react to small fluctuations in barometric pressure, but patients feel it as impossibly cool.
Seasonal fluctuations in the weather regime provoke a metamorphosis of physiological functions. The nervous system, metabolic processes, heat exchange, and endocrine glands react in a completely different way. A healthy person, due to adaptive physiological mechanisms, does not react to those, while the patient feels the changes sharply.
In the field of medicine, several types of microclimates are distinguished, which are capable of exerting a certain physiological power on the body, using all their components.
Changing the microclimate to the sea: health benefits
Such data suggest moist, fresh, sea-salt-intensive air. The sea, its blue distance and slow moving waves invariably have a beneficial effect on the human nervous system.
The picturesque coast of the sea, especially the southern one, the reflected clear radiation, the lack of steep temperature drops - these factors normalize all body functions during the pathological process. The microclimate of the Crimea is a shining example. In addition, the processes of inhibition and excitability in the central nervous system are balanced.
Against the background of such conditions, different types of therapy have a greater effect on the course of metabolic and trophic processes. As a result, the pathological condition is eliminated. For example, the microclimate of the Crimea is impeccably suitable for health. At the same time, the trip will benefit not only the sick, but also absolutely healthy people - their adaptive functions will increase.
Change of the microclimate to the mountain one: power for health
An exciting result appears when you are in a high mountainous area. This is facilitated by the low barometric pressure at great altitudes, steep day and night temperature drops, fresh air and landscape. The increased excitability of the nervous system stimulates metabolic processes.
Low blood pressure enhances the hematopoietic functions of the bone marrow. These phenomena can be attributed to favorable stimuli. Going to the mountains is recommended for those who need to stimulate sluggish pathological processes.
At the same time, an increase in the metabolic rate balances the nervous processes, which stimulates the immune system. As a result, the body strengthens the fight against existing diseases.
The impact of the microclimate of the temperate zone on human health
The conditions of the steppes and forests are characterized by insignificant temperature fluctuations, moderate and stable humidity. These factors are excellent training for the body of healthy people. Patients are also advised to visit such an area, because the local regime will not cause damage.
The middle lane is characterized by a distinct change of seasons - winter, spring, summer and autumn. A change in weather conditions is certainly accompanied by a change in physiological reactions. Ultraviolet radiation is happy here, weather data is stable.
This allows the microclimate to be used for people with quite different pathologies. It will have an extremely excellent effect on those who suffer from mental and vascular diseases.
Climate and health in the desert
Hot air, plains covered with modest vegetation, burning dusty soil - these factors inherent in the desert microclimate provoke an overstrain of adaptation reactions. For the patient, such an arrangement is not invariably favorable.
For example, persistent dry and hot weather leads to the task of profuse sweating and a person can lose up to 10 liters of fluid per day. However, this method of dehydration, flowing through the skin, is used to treat people with kidney disease.
Climate and human health in northern latitudes
Monotonous plains, sometimes covered with forests, lakes, winter cold, short, warm, damp summers - these factors are inherent in northern areas. Being here will be a wonderful workout for the body, because it has a hardening effect.
With an increase in heat generation, the rate of metabolic processes increases, the regulatory nervous mechanisms of the respiratory and vascular systems are activated, and this, in turn, has a beneficial effect on physiological functions. It is recommended to be treated in these latitudes for many patients, exclusively for the elderly.
What microclimate is better for health
Moving from one zone to another activates the human body, evokes favorable emotions, but only on condition that he is healthy. Rest from work, everyday life, change of air, metamorphosis of other environmental factors - all this has a great effect on the physical and sensitive state.
If you combine new climatic data with healing procedures aimed at eliminating a specific pathology, then the healing process will go much faster. But the exception is primarily people suffering from pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. For them, a sharp change in conditions causes difficulties in adaptation.
However, in most cases, a trip to resorts in the above-mentioned zones for rest or treatment helps to enhance the physiological reactions of the body.
The weather regime is widely used in any zone for treatment and general strengthening when carrying out appropriate measures.
