Acclimatization: what to do and how to avoid?

Acclimatization is a process of adaptation to new natural conditions that are different from the usual climate and weather in the place of permanent residence of a person.

Scientists have proved that moving in a range of ten degrees in latitude or longitude causes people all the signs of acclimatization. Especially, it is noticeable when a person moves on an airplane, thanks to which it is possible to make a change of residence very quickly. This benefit of civilization allows you to change the climatic zone at an accelerated pace, which is a big burden on the human body. In this case, many people begin to appear unpleasant symptoms, which characterize the deterioration of their health and well-being.

[1], [2]

Reasons for acclimatization

The reasons for acclimatization are expressed in the need to rebuild the organism in accordance with new geographical and climatic conditions. Unusual factors of the surrounding world, such as temperature, air humidity, pressure, magnetic storms, a large amount of light or its lack and so on requires the body to change its own "settings". Previously, the existing balance with the habitat allowed a person to lead an active lifestyle and feel good. Now he needs to get used to those conditions that are not familiar to his body and psyche.

Such a restructuring does not pass unnoticed, especially if the climatic zone has been changed dramatically, in a matter of hours. The human body receives a kind of "kick" and feels "not at ease". Therefore, there is a forced rapid change in adaptation settings, which can not go smoothly and unnoticed for the person's well-being.

When the body adapts to the new habitat conditions, the next equilibrium with the environment will come, and the person will feel good. But this must take some time, and some measures are taken.

Acclimatization and re-acclimatization

Acclimatization and re-acclimatization are two sides of the same coin. Because the first time comes the adaptation of the organism to the new environmental conditions and the new territory. And the second is related to adaptation to habitual conditions of habitat, which were abandoned for any reason.

Usually, with short periods of travel to new land, upon return a person receives all the symptoms of re-acclimatization. They are expressed in the same deterioration of well-being as in acclimatization, with signs that can be found below. This situation is typical for a short summer holiday, especially in a hot country. Once the body has adapted to the new climate, it is pulled out from there and returned home. And now the turn of the re-acclimatization takes place, which is even more difficult than acclimatization.

In addition, stays in new territories and stresses received by the body trigger the aggravation of long-standing and "sleeping" chronic diseases in a person. Therefore, it often happens that a healthy and eager person is sent on vacation, and a "sickly debris" returns, which now must be rest from the rest.

Most often, after returning from vacation, people complain of an exacerbation or occurrence of digestive system problems, as well as all sorts of skin diseases.

[3], [4], [5]

Signs of acclimatization

Those people who have experienced a sudden change in the climate zones, know that the signs of acclimatization often resemble the symptoms of a cold. Symptoms similar to different types of allergic reactions, as well as food poisoning, are also characteristic.

The most severe and unpleasant adaptation takes place in children and the elderly. In the female body, specific processes, characteristic only for this sex, can also pass. For example, in some women, the menstrual cycle is broken, stopping or disappearing for a while.

Vacationers need to know that many chronic diseases are aggravated by changing habitat conditions. And the symptoms of this situation coincide with signs of exacerbation of the disease. Therefore, arriving to rest, you can get a relapse of some unpleasant sores and devote all your time to restoring your health.

More information about the symptoms of acclimatization can be found here.

How long does acclimatization take?

In order to take care of their health, vacationers in new areas are interested in the problem: how long does acclimatization last?

It is important for holidaymakers in hot countries to know that the adaptation of the inhabitants of northern countries is slower than that of the inhabitants of the middle latitudes.

The processes of adaptation to new conditions begin to occur immediately after being in a new place. But the feeling of acclimatization begins to appear in humans only on the second or third day after the temporary change of habitat. This is because bright and strong positive emotions from the received impressions allow you to survive a strong stress from climate change. But then, when emotions are a little dull, the body begins to "be capricious" from such innovations as an unusual climate, food, water, time zone and so on.

There are several stages of this process:

• The most acute is from five to seven days.
• The usual stage of habituation is from ten days to two weeks.

Therefore, a week or ten-day holiday, habitual for our tourists, takes place under the banner of acclimatization in hot countries. And you can fully rest without feeling bad, you can start only after two weeks of staying in the country. Proceeding from the aforesaid, the most optimal interval for vacation and stay in an unfamiliar country should be from eighteen to twenty days. This will make it possible to experience the most successful habituation to new climatic conditions, and also get a lot of pleasure from visiting a new and interesting place.

Acclimatization after rest

Acclimatization after rest is the reverse adaptation to the conditions in which a person lives constantly. Reactivation can be quite unpleasant, with more severe symptoms than the situation on vacation. The person, in the first place, worries, the decline of strength and fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness, as well as a low background of mood. Possible, as well, manifestations of insomnia and irritability. Sometimes there are even cases of real depression. And this is the case when a person after a summer vacation immediately turns into his working rhythm.

Therefore, do not hurry almost directly from the station to run to the long-awaited office. It is best to leave yourself three or four days to stay at home in a quiet rhythm of life. We need a lot of sleep, to protect ourselves from haste and stress, not to hammer our heads with important and urgent matters, but to let the body get used to the old climate and habitual life.

If you disregard these recommendations, then a person can feel, for example, a cold or problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

[6], [7], [8]

Acclimatization after the sea

Acclimatization after the sea, especially for residents of northern latitudes and temperate climatic zones, is to observe the passive regime. At which it's important to live inactive for a week, eat more and sleep, drink plenty of fluids, watch your favorite films, read interesting books. In general, create at home a small oasis that will not be disturbed by any stress and unrest.

It is also important to minimize contact with others, as well as constant movement through the streets. The main thing is to allow the body to get used to such a stress as returning to a stable life after a brief rest in sunlight, sea air and a lot of vivid impressions.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]

Acclimatization after Turkey

Acclimatization after Turkey depends on how close the Turkish climate was to the habitual conditions of human habitation. In this country there are five climatic zones, which are very different from each other. The Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea is hot enough, and the climate on the Black Sea is cooler than the previous ones. The western part of the country is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In Istanbul and Antalya you can feel all the delights of warm winter and a very hot summer. Therefore, reaklamatizatsija at the person can pass or at all imperceptibly, or it is bright enough and unpleasantly.

An important feature after a Turkish holiday is considered to be the inability to warm up at first. Especially, for countries with a cold or temperate climate.

[16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]

Acclimatization after Egypt

Acclimatization after Egypt may not manifest at all. Such unique cases happen when the climate of this country is ideal for a person. And his constant living conditions are a little less comfortable with his body and psyche.

Conversely, there were people who, after a trip to the heat and the sea, received pneumonia upon arrival. Simply, because they started a disease that began with a common cold and high fever. Therefore, after returning from vacation, it is important to listen to your body and give it a sparing regimen. And at the slightest strange symptoms it is best to consult a doctor to avoid severe and unexpected complications.

[22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27]

Acclimatization after Thailand

Acclimatization after Thailand can be very harsh, especially for residents with a cold climate. But some people successfully pass through re-acclimatization, complaining only of some minimal symptoms and malaise. So, a person can be bothered by:

• Lethargy and a sense of fatigue for five days to a week.
• Constant chills and a feeling of cold.
• Pershing and sore throat.
• During the first two weeks, there may be problems with the digestive system, in which any meal is affected by gravity in the stomach or other discomfort.

[28], [29], [30]

Types of acclimatization

Acclimatization processes are divided into the following types:

• Thermal.
• High-rise.
• In a climate with cold conditions.

Thermal acclimatization assumes the presence in high temperature air with increased humidity. It is this combination of climatic conditions that can cause a whole "bouquet" of adaptation symptoms in a person, violating its habitual thermoregulation and complicating the habituation to new conditions. Such difficulties await lovers of the seas and overseas countries with a hot and humid climate.

Fans of ski resorts will also face the need for adaptation. But this time they will have to get used to high-mountain living conditions. High-altitude acclimatization happens because the ski resorts are located above sea level, and much more. At the same time, the concentration of oxygen in these places is reduced, which is quite unusual for the inhabitants of the plains, which are the majority of the world's population and the same mountain lovers. At this type of adaptation, the movement of blood flow slows down, and the amount of erythrocyte and hemoglobin decreases markedly. These symptoms are typical for cases of transition of the body to an energy-saving stage. In addition, low pressure, which is characteristic of the mountains, causes tourists to suffocation or signs of severe shortness of breath.

Adaptation to the cold conditions, which are typical for the northern latitudes, awaits lovers of the Arctic seas, the aurora borealis and the meager beauties of nature. Travelers will have to face low temperatures, strong magnetic storms, as well as a lack of ultraviolet rays of the sun, called light starvation. With such changes in the environment, people often have insomnia, high fatigue and drowsiness, as well as unwillingness to eat.

Consequences of acclimatization

The consequences of acclimatization are expressed in a number of unpleasant processes that are triggered in the human body:

• Exacerbation of chronic diseases with all the attendant symptoms.
• Decrease in the level of immunity and protective forces of the body.
• The appearance of low resistance to changes in the climatic belt in new trips and the aggravation of the symptoms of acclimatization.

Of course, not all people are inclined to react badly to new living conditions. Many tourists and travelers, on the contrary, are tempered on constant trips and changes in climatic zones. And their health and well-being becomes stronger and more stable.

[31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36]

Diagnosis of acclimatization

The diagnosis of acclimatization is to know all the symptoms when the body adapts to new habitats and to distinguish the body's ailments from a number of diseases. After all, it is noticed that intestinal infections, as well as poisonings can give such a clinical picture, as well as signs of acute acclimatization.

Therefore, with the slightest suspicion of the difference between a person's state and the habitual adaptation to a new place, it is best to consult a local therapist for examination and consultation. Also for the refutation of another diagnosis it is important to pass blood, urine and feces tests for laboratory tests.

[37], [38], [39], [40], [41]

What to do with acclimatization?

Naturally, specific advice is important, which can solve the question: what to do with acclimatization?

First of all, going to new conditions of existence for oneself, a person should prepare his organism for climate changes. Such activities are important to accomplish during the year to strengthen their own health. But in a situation where unpleasant symptoms no longer give rest, it is necessary to stock up first-aid kit for all cases of life.

In this medicine cabinet should be drugs with antipyretic properties and antihistamines, medications from the problems of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, various means of sunburn, as well as funds after sunbathing and skin burns are important.

People suffering from chronic diseases should take with them all the recommended drugs that can help with exacerbation of diseases. It is also good to take along essential oils that will help you survive adaptation to new conditions.

It is important to include in the diet of multivitamin complexes with a high content of vitamins A, C and E. The food in which these vitamins are widely represented is also useful. This carrots, lemons and tangerines, as well as other citrus, spinach, cabbage. It is also important to use garlic, pomegranates, cranberries and currants.

The first two or three days should not be actively walking, going on excursions and sunbathing on local beaches. It is best to spend this time in the hotel, and for walks to use the morning and evening hours. In this case, you need to wear a spacious and light clothes with long sleeves, pants and long skirts.

If you want to go somewhere outside the hotel, it's better to take two liters of pure water, water with lemon or a cold green tea without sugar.

More information about the treatment of acclimatization can be found here.

How to avoid acclimatization?

Of course, every tourist and traveler asks: how to avoid acclimatization? Our useful tips will help to alleviate this difficult task.

• Experts recommend moving to a new country not by plane, but by train. When using flying vehicles, a person undergoes a change in climatic zones very quickly, which is a great stress for him. If you go on a trip by train, then you can adapt your body a little to the changing conditions of the environment. Because the speed of movement will not be as high as on an airplane. Such a warning is very important for people with cardiovascular diseases, especially for those suffering from hypertension.
• It is best to prepare your arrival in a new country so that it gets to the evening. At night, the body can rest and already adapt to new conditions for itself. What is very important and useful for a person.
• Clothing for the flight, as well as for the first days of stay in a new place should be easy, convenient and free. It's worth it to feel comfortable, so it's neither cold nor hot. It is also important when traveling and at moments of rest. There must necessarily be a headpiece available that will save a person from the rays of the scorching sun or, conversely, from cold wind, rain and so on.
• Before going out for walks, going to the beach and on excursions, you should always apply sunscreen on all skin areas that will be available to aggressive sunlight.
• To conduct an active lifestyle outside the premises it is better to choose the right time. The safest intervals for walking, bathing and sunbathing are from dawn to eleven in the morning, and after five in the evening and before going to bed. Do not let direct sunlight hit the skin. From this you can not only worsen your health, but also the appearance, which is important for the fair sex.

Acclimatization is a complex process of adapting the organism to new habitat conditions. A vacation to a person is given in order to get new impressions and relax. Therefore, we should take care of preparing for life in a new climate and get the maximum pleasure from staying in an unfamiliar country.