The he alth and mental state of a person depend on many factors. One of them is the climate, it is he who has a huge impact on the human body. In this article, we will look at how climate affects people.
When climate impacts are noticeable
The most obvious influence occurs in the following cases:
- Sudden change of weather. A sudden strong wind, a thunderstorm or a cold snap cause a change in he alth status. In stronger people, the deterioration of he alth is practically not felt, but in core patients, hypertensive patients, diabetics, severe headaches begin, pressure rises up to a hypertensive crisis, there may be a heart attack.
- Moving long distances. Climate and man are closely interconnected. For example, when the inhabitants of the north come to rest on the sea, for some time they do not feel too good because of the sea air, the hot sun and other factors. Doctors do not recommend long-distance travel for people with chronic diseases.
Many believe that if you live in one place for a long time, then over time the body adapts, andall influence ceases, but in fact it is not so. Climatic conditions affect a person constantly. For some, this is a beneficial effect, for others, it is detrimental. It all depends on the individual characteristics of each.
What is climate
It's not just the combination of hot and cold days of the year, not just the average daily temperature or rainfall. These are meteorological phenomena, as well as terrestrial and solar radiation, magnetic field, landscape, electricity released by the atmosphere. The impact of climate on humans is due to the combination of these factors.
Scientific approach
Even in ancient times in India and Tibet, conclusions were made about how different weather conditions, such as sun, rain, thunderstorms, affect well-being. In these countries, to this day, they study how climate affects people. For treatment, methods are preserved that are closely related to the seasons or weather. Already in the 460s, Hippocrates wrote in his treatises that weather and he alth are directly related.
The development and progression of some diseases is not uniform throughout the year. All doctors know that in winter and autumn there is an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases. A more scientific approach to this issue was taken in the 19th century, when at the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, prominent scientists of that time - Pavlov, Sechenov and others - studied how climate affects people. They conducted medical experiments, analyzed the available information and came to the conclusion that some epidemics appear andare especially difficult depending on climatic conditions. Thus, an outbreak of West Nile fever was twice recorded in Russia during an abnormally warm winter. Already in our time, these observations have been repeatedly confirmed.
Interaction types
There are two types of climate influence on the body: direct and indirect. The first is directly related to climatic conditions, and its results are easily discernible. This can be observed in the processes of heat exchange between a person and the environment, as well as in the skin, sweating, blood circulation and metabolism.
The indirect impact of climate on a person is longer in time. These are changes in his body that occur after a certain period of time in a particular natural area. One example of this influence is climate adaptation. Many climbers experience pain and breathing problems when climbing to great heights. However, they pass with frequent ascents or with a certain adaptation program.
The effect of high temperatures on the human body
Hot climate, especially tropical with high humidity, is a very aggressive environment in terms of the degree of impact on the human body. This is primarily due to increased heat transfer. At high temperatures, it rises 5-6 times. This leads to the fact that the receptors transmit signals to the brain, and the blood begins to circulate much faster, at which time the vessels dilate. If asuch measures are not enough to maintain the heat balance, then profuse sweating begins. Most often, people prone to heart disease suffer from heat. Doctors confirm that the hot summer is the time when most heart attacks occur, and there is also an exacerbation of chronic cardiovascular diseases.
You should also know how climate affects people living in the tropics. They have a lean physique, a more sinewy structure. The inhabitants of Africa can be observed elongated limbs. Among the inhabitants of hot countries, people with large body fat are less common. In general, the population of these countries is "smaller" than those who live in natural areas where the climate is temperate.
Impact on well-being of colder temperatures
Those who enter the northern regions or live there permanently experience a decrease in heat transfer. This is achieved by slowing down blood circulation and vasoconstriction. The normal reaction of the body is to achieve a balance between heat transfer and heat generation, and if this does not happen, then the body temperature gradually decreases, body functions are inhibited, a mental disorder occurs, the result of this is cardiac arrest. Lipid metabolism plays an important role in the normal functioning of the body where the climate is cold. The northerners have a much faster and easier metabolism, so you need constant replenishment of energy losses. For this reason, their main diet is fats and proteins.
The inhabitants of the north have a larger physique anda significant layer of subcutaneous fat, which prevents heat transfer. But not all people are able to adapt normally to the cold if there is a sharp change in climate. Usually, the work of the defense mechanism in such people leads to the fact that they develop "polar disease". To avoid difficulties with adaptation to the cold, you need to take large amounts of vitamin C.
Changing climate conditions
Weather and he alth have a direct and very close relationship. In regions that are characterized by a gradual change in weather conditions, people experience these transitions less acutely. It is believed that the middle lane has the most favorable climate for he alth. Because where the change of seasons is very abrupt, most people suffer from rheumatic reactions, pain in places of old injuries, headaches associated with pressure drops.
However, there is another side of the coin. A temperate climate does not contribute to the development of rapid adaptation to a new environment. Few people from the middle lane are able to get used to a sharp change in ambient temperature without any problems, immediately adapt to the hot air and the bright sun of the south. They suffer from headaches more often, burn faster in the sun and take longer to get used to new conditions.
Interesting facts
The fact that climate and man are inextricably linked is confirmed by the following facts:
- Inhabitants of the south endure the cold harder where the locals can walk without wearing a lot of clothes.
- When the inhabitants of dryareas fall into a tropical area, where the water is literally in the air, they start to hurt.
- Heat and high humidity make people from the middle lane and northern regions lethargic, sickly and lethargic, it becomes difficult for them to breathe, and sweating increases significantly.
Temperature fluctuations
Temperature fluctuations are a serious test for he alth. Climate change is especially painful for a child. What happens in the body during sudden temperature fluctuations?
Very cold climate provokes excessive excitement, while the heat, on the contrary, plunges a person into a state of apathy. The change of these two states depends on the rate at which the temperature changes. With a sharp cold snap or warming, chronic problems worsen, cardiovascular diseases develop. Only with a smooth transition from low to high temperatures and vice versa, the body has time to adapt.
Altitude is not safe either
Humidity and pressure changes are also important. First of all, it affects thermoregulation. Cold air cools the body, and hot air, on the contrary, to which skin receptors react accordingly. Such an influence is very noticeable when climbing mountains, where climatic conditions, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and air temperature change with every ten meters.
Already at an altitude of 300 meters, hyperventilation of the lungs begins due to the fact that the wind and low oxygen content inair interfere with normal breathing. Blood circulation is accelerated, because the body tries to disperse an insufficient amount of oxygen to all cells. With an increase in altitude, these processes are even more intensified, a large number of red blood cells and hemoglobin appear in the blood.
At high altitudes, where oxygen content is low and solar radiation is stronger, a person's metabolism is greatly enhanced. This can slow down the development of metabolic diseases. However, a sudden change in altitude can also have a detrimental effect. That is why many people are advised to rest and treat in sanatoriums at moderate altitudes, where the pressure is higher and the air is cleaner, but at the same time there is a sufficient amount of oxygen in it. In the last century, many tuberculosis patients were sent to such sanatoriums or places with dry climates.
Defense mechanism
With frequent changes in natural conditions, the human body eventually builds something like a barrier, so there are no significant changes. Adaptation occurs quickly and relatively painlessly, regardless of the direction of travel and how the temperature changes dramatically with climate change.
Climbers experience high g-forces on peaks that can be fatal. Therefore, they take special oxygen cylinders with them, while the locals, who live high above sea level from birth, do not have such problems.
The mechanism of climate protection is currently unclear to scientists.
Seasonalfluctuations
The influence of seasonal changes is also important. He althy people practically do not react to them, the body itself adjusts to a certain time of the year and continues to work optimally for it. But people who have chronic illnesses or injuries can react painfully to the transition from one season to another. At the same time, everyone has a change in the rate of mental reactions, the work of the endocrine glands, as well as the rate of heat transfer. These changes are quite normal and are not abnormal, so people do not notice them.
Meteorological dependence
Some people are especially sensitive to changes in the temperature environment and climate, this phenomenon is called meteopathy, or meteorological dependence. There can be many reasons for this: the individual characteristics of the body, weakened immunity due to illness. However, they may experience symptoms such as increased drowsiness and impotence, sore throat, runny nose, dizziness, inability to concentrate, difficulty breathing and nausea.
In order to overcome these problems, it is necessary to analyze your condition and identify what specific changes are causing these symptoms. After that, you can try to deal with them. First of all, the normalization of the general condition contributes to a he althy lifestyle. It includes: long sleep, proper nutrition, walks in the fresh air, moderate exercise.
To combat the heat and dryness of the air, you can use fresheners and air conditioners, drinking plenty of water helps. Be sure to eat fresh fruit and meat.
Climate changes during pregnancy
Meteorological dependence can often occur in pregnant women who had previously experienced the change of seasons or weather quite calmly.
Pregnant women are not recommended to make long trips or long trips. In an "interesting" position, the body is already stressed by hormonal changes, moreover, most of the nutrients go to the fetus, and not to the female body. For these reasons, the additional burden of adapting to a new climate while traveling is completely unnecessary.
The impact of climate on the children's body
Children are also sensitive to climate change. But here everything happens a little differently than in adults. The child's body, in principle, adapts much faster to any conditions, so a he althy child does not experience big problems when the season or climate changes.
The main problem with climate change lies not in the process of adaptation, but in the reaction of the child himself. Any climate change causes certain processes in the human body. And if adults are able to adequately respond to them, for example, in the heat, hide in the shade or wear hats, then children have a less developed sense of self-preservation. Body signals in adults will lead to certain actions, the child will ignore them. It is for this reason that during climate change, adults should carefully monitor the condition of the baby.
Because children react more sharply to various climatic changes, there is a whole section in medicine - climatotherapy. Doctors who practice this treatment, without the help of drugs, can achieve significant improvements in the he alth of the child.
The most beneficial effect on the child's body has a sea or mountain climate. Sea s alt water, sunbathing have a beneficial effect on his mental state, as well as improve overall he alth and promote the production of vitamin D.
In order to achieve a certain effect, the child needs to spend at least four weeks at the resort, this period is considered optimal. In severe forms of chronic diseases or pathologies, the sanatorium period can take several months. Most often, treatment in sea and mountain areas is used for children with rickets, respiratory and skin diseases, mental disorders.
Climate impact on older people
The elderly are the category that needs to be especially careful about climate change or travel. First of all, this is due to the fact that elderly people often suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as the musculoskeletal system. A sharp change in climate can adversely affect their well-being and the course of these diseases. In the summer, seizures occur most often, and the death rate of the elderly increases.
The second factor is the speed of adaptation, as well as habits. If a young and he althy person needs to adapt to a new climatefrom five to seven days, then in older people these periods increase significantly, and the body is not always able to adequately respond to changes in temperature, humidity or pressure. This is the risk of travel for the elderly.
A sharp change in the climate zone will most likely lead to a change in the time zone and the length of day and night. These changes are hard to bear even by he althy people, not to mention the elderly. Insomnia is one of the most innocent problems of the elderly.
He alth impact of different climatic zones
Marine climate has a beneficial effect on people with disorders of the nervous system. Cool air does not cause irritation, near the sea there is rarely a sharp change in temperature, it is warmer in winter and cooler in summer. In addition, the sea dissipates solar radiation, and the opportunity to enjoy a large open space has a positive effect on the eyes and calms the nerves.
Mountain climate, on the contrary, serves to excite nervous activity and increase efficiency. This is due to high pressure, frequent changes in temperature, when you can sunbathe during the day, and at night you have to escape from frostbite. The rapid change of day and night plays its role, because in the mountains this process is almost imperceptible. Very often, people engaged in creative activities go to the mountains to draw inspiration.
The northern climate, where it is constantly cold and there is no particular variety of landscapes, tempers not only character, but also human he alth. Scientists have proven that people who are constantly in places with coldclimate, more resistant to various diseases, including chronic ones. Residents of the north practically do not get sick with diabetes and age more slowly.
