Climate and weather. Influence of climatic conditions on human health. Weather lability. The influence of climatic factors on the human body

Climate is a combination of meteorological factors, solar and terrestrial radiation, magnetic fields, terrain, atmospheric electricity. Climatic properties - air temperature and humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, precipitation - all this affects the health, mood, and well-being of a person.

The influence of climate on health has been known for a long time, but only at the end of the 20th century did science begin to develop - medical climatology, which studies the influence of atmospheric factors on humans. Scientists have proven a direct relationship between bioclimate and health. A change of scenery can either cure or kill a person.

Climatic conditions determine:

  • the nature of the diet;
  • sanitary conditions of people's lives;
  • social and family spheres;
  • the structure of the structure of residential buildings;
  • direction of activity of enterprises;
  • human viability.

Important role plays the adaptability of people to a particular climate, the acclimatization of the body, its ability to develop thermoregulation reflexes, leading to the stability of the body's systems to climatic conditions. The climate can affect the course of the disease: aggravate it or contribute to the cure.

The impact of climate on health

The climate of the seaside coasts has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, normalizes physiological and metabolic processes. But for people with heart and lung diseases, this climate is not suitable, it causes exacerbations. They are not recommended to go to the sea for treatment.

The mountain climate has an exciting effect on the nervous system, psychological processes are activated, the working capacity and creative potential of a person increase. In the mountains, immunity is strengthened, general health improves. For people with chronic diseases of the heart and lungs, the mountain climate is indicated.

The desert climate, with its heat, sandy dust, hot dry wind, causes intense sweating. The human body intensively adapts to the conditions of the desert. All systems are working hard. The wind disrupts the rhythm of the lungs, makes breathing difficult, and increases the body's heat transfer.

The northern climate improves metabolism due to heat regulation, stabilizes the work of all systems and organs. Low air temperature requires a large expenditure of calories. Flaw sunlight, cold, frost-searing air in arctic and subarctic climate exacerbates respiratory diseases.

Frequent fogs also negatively affect the state of the respiratory organs, and an increased degree of air humidity and low atmospheric pressure - on the cardiovascular system. Heat dilates blood vessels on the periphery of the human body, lowers blood pressure, and slows down metabolism.

The impact of air quality on the human body

A large accumulation of negative ions in the air is good for health, the life expectancy of a person increases. Increased air saturation with positive ions has a negative effect: a person gets tired quickly, suffers from dizziness and difficulty breathing, and fainting.

Doctors warn that climate change is dangerous to health, as well as to human life. changing climatic zones When moving from north to south or from hot countries to countries with a harsh climate, you need to be very careful, take into account the characteristics of your body, the presence of chronic diseases, susceptibility to certain diseases.

One of the most important abiotic factors influencing all the physiological functions of all living organisms is temperature. On the earth's surface, the temperature depends on the geographical latitude and height above sea level, as well as on the season, therefore, in the human environment, it is never constant and the body needs to adapt to its changing conditions (adapt).

The adaptive function of a person is provided by the main heat and cold receptors of the skin, receptor fields and the central nervous system. Their joint activity is called thermoregulation, during which there is a constant exchange of heat between the body and external environment (heat transfer), as well as the formation of heat in the human body as a result of oxidative processes ( heat generation). There is a certain relationship between air temperature and metabolism in the body.

So, with a decrease in air temperature, the formation of heat in the body increases, with an increase, heat generation decreases. When the ambient temperature rises or falls, the heat transfer also changes in inverse proportion: when the temperature drops, the heat transfer decreases, and when the temperature rises, it increases. These two interrelated processes are regulated by the action of the central nervous system, which is accompanied by changes in the activity of a number of other organs of the human body: circulatory, respiratory and increased or slower metabolism, with the help of which its adaptive capabilities are realized.

Adaptation to low temperatures is manifested in a number of adaptive changes that occur in the body, such as: muscle trembling, increased metabolism, heat generation in the abdominal organs - the liver and kidneys, narrowing of blood vessels, etc.

Adaptation to an increase in the temperature of the external environment is manifested in an increase in heat transfer through vasodilation, increased blood circulation, intense sweating, etc.

The perception of temperature is purely individual: some people like cold and frosty winters, others like warm and dry ones. Human health largely depends on weather conditions: in winter, people often get colds (flu, tonsillitis, etc.)

One of the abiotic factors affecting the human body in the conditions of its residence in high mountain areas is a change in the partial pressure of atmospheric gases, in particular oxygen, as well as a decrease in the average daily temperature and an increase in solar radiation. Adaptation to such conditions depends on physiological features and fitness of the body. The absence of such leads to "mountain sickness", accompanied by weakness, increased heart rate, headache, depression, loss of consciousness, etc.

For those who plan to make a hike in the mountains, go rock climbing, special training and medical consultation are necessary.

Ambient temperature affects the life of the human population: an increase or decrease in population density depending on average annual temperatures in specific geographic areas, seasonal temperature changes.

Biological rhythms, or biorhythms, are regular quantitative and qualitative changes in life processes occurring at all levels of life: molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, organismal, population and biospheric.

Science is engaged in the study of biorhythms - chronobiology (from the Greek "chronos" - hour, time). In the process of evolution for hundreds of millions of years, the process of adaptation of living organisms to the periodic change of day and night, the seasons of the year associated with the main rhythms of the Earth, which resulted in the rhythmic processes of their life activity - biorhythmic ones.

There are internal and external biorhythms. Biorhythms have different periodicity, expressed in fractions of seconds, seconds, minutes, days, months, years and several years.

For example, rhythms defined by fractions of a second have nerve impulses- 0.001 s, cardiac cycle - 0.8 s, breathing (inhale-exhale) - 8 s, peristalsis of an empty stomach - 30 min, daily (day and night), monthly (menstrual cycle in a woman), annual (birth of a child) etc.

The researchers concluded that the repetitive cycles are internal (endogenous) in nature, in other words, the body has an "internal clock" that somehow controls daily activity. The twenty-four hour cycle we face in Everyday life, is due to the fact that the internal clock is "corrected" by external events, especially the change of day and night. In adjusting the internal clock of a person, an important role is played by social factors, that is, adjusting activity to the work schedule, daily routine, food intake, etc.

The results of the studies show that the mechanism of the internal clock is associated with the activity of the hypothalamus, the most important regulatory center of the brain.

Neglect of daily biorhythms can harm human health. For example, blood pressure is usually lower in the morning and increases during the day. If a person visits a doctor only in the morning, he may think that his pressure is normal, while in fact it may increase significantly during the day and evening, which is unsafe, since such a person does not receive the treatment he needs.

The results of studies of biological rhythms in humans have shown their importance for physical and mental health. Hence the conclusion that we should be more attentive to our own rhythms, more calmly perceive the natural ups and downs of mood associated with them, and seek help from specialists when changes in our rhythms go beyond the norm.

External biorhythms are associated with the location of the Earth in outer space, the main factor of which is solar radiation, which determines solar activity (the formation of sunspots, solar flares, torches, an increase in ultraviolet radiation). Solar activity affects a number of physical and chemical processes of the Earth: fluctuation atmospheric pressure, temperature, air humidity, etc. And this, in turn, affects the state of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, mental and behavioral reactions of a person: the rhythm of life is disturbed, efficiency decreases, mood deteriorates, etc.

Natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, movement of glaciers, icebergs, etc.) are also associated with solar activity and its cycle, which directly or indirectly affect human health.

Weather- is a collection physical properties surface layer of the atmosphere in a relatively short period of time. Allocate the weather of the moment, the weather of the hour, the weather of the day, and so on.

Climate is a long-term, regularly repeating weather regime inherent in a given area. The weather at any given time is characterized by certain combinations of temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed. In some types of climate, the weather changes significantly every day or seasonally, in others it remains the same. Climate descriptions are based on statistical analysis of average and extreme meteorological characteristics. Like a factor natural environment climate influences the geographical distribution of vegetation, soils and water resources and consequently on land use and the economy. Climate also has an impact on living conditions and human health.

The various influences of climate on life, well-being, habits and work of a person are well known. Back in 460-377. BC. in the Aphorisms, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates noted that some human organisms feel better in summer, and some in winter. And even throughout the year (when the seasons change), the human body can behave differently. Depending on what time of the year the human body is located, the diseases will be easier or harder. A person can suffer from the same disease in different ways at different times of the year, in different countries and living conditions. The climate also affects human health. harsh and cold climate has an adverse effect on humans.

A mild and warm climate (for example, in the mountains or on the sea coast) can improve the overall resistance of the body and many of the processes occurring in it. Such a climate can have a very favorable effect on the body of a person who has undergone serious illnesses and operations, as well as accelerate the restoration of his strength and the return of health. The science that studies the effects of climate on human health is called climatology. Climate can affect a person directly and indirectly. Basically, climatic factors affect the conditions of heat exchange of the human body with the external environment: the blood supply to the skin, the respiratory, cardiovascular and sweating systems. Our sensations of heat and cold depend on body temperature.

We are warm when the vessels expand, a lot of warm blood flows through them and the skin becomes warm. And warm skin, according to the laws of physics, gives off more heat to the environment. With a strong constriction of blood vessels, the amount of blood flowing in them decreases sharply, the skin cools, we feel cold. Heat loss from the body is reduced. IN cold weather heat transfer is regulated almost exclusively by the expansion and contraction of the vessels of the skin. Human skin has a remarkable property: at the same air temperature, its ability to give off heat can change dramatically. Sometimes the skin gives off very little heat. But it is able to give off a lot of heat, even if the air temperature is higher than body temperature. This property of the skin is associated with the work of the sweat glands.


In hot weather, when the air temperature becomes higher than body temperature, the skin should not give off heat, but itself heat up from excessively warm air. This is where the sweat glands come to the fore. Sweat secretion increases dramatically. Evaporating from the surface of the body, sweat cools the skin and takes away a lot of heat from it. The human body is usually affected not by one isolated factor, but by a whole set of factors. Moreover, the main effects on the body are sudden, abrupt changes. climatic conditions.

The human body can function differently depending on the season of the year. This applies to body temperature, metabolic rate, circulatory system, composition of blood cells and tissues. In summer, a person's blood pressure is lower than in winter, due to the redistribution of blood flow to various organs. At higher summer temperatures, blood flow changes from internal organs to the skin. For any living organism, certain rhythms of vital activity of various frequencies have been established. In summer, weather-induced diseases such as overheating and heat stroke can predominate.

Especially often they are observed in areas that are characterized by hot and calm weather. In winter and autumn, when the weather is cold, damp and windy, many people get flu, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, colds. In addition to ambient temperature, wind and air humidity, the human condition is also influenced by such factors as atmospheric pressure, oxygen concentration, the degree of disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field, the level of atmospheric pollution, etc. Moreover, these factors, together with certain climatic conditions, can not only expose the human body to an increased risk of disease, but also affect the exacerbation of chronic diseases.

In addition to diseases typical of different seasons of the year, the human body is exposed to pathogens of infectious diseases, which can begin to develop much faster under certain climatic conditions. In summer, when the ambient temperature rises, intestinal infections develop rapidly. They cause diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery. In winter, during the cold season, and especially with a sharp change in the weather, people suffering from cardiovascular diseases suffer. The risk of such diseases as hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction increases.

From January to April, pneumonia is a typical disease, especially among children under one year old. About 60 - 65% of chronic patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases feel changes in weather factors. This is especially observed in spring and autumn, with significant fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, air temperature, and changes in the Earth's geomagnetic field. Chronic patients suffering from atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain, hard to endure the invasion of air fronts, causing a contrasting change in weather. At such a time, the number of hypertensive crises, exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases increases.

The air near ponds, especially near ponds with flowing water, refreshes and invigorates well. After a thunderstorm, a person also feels clean and invigorating air. This is due to the fact that this air contains a large number of negative ions. If there are a large number of electromagnetic devices in enclosed spaces, the air will be saturated with positive ions. Such an atmosphere, even for a short amount of time, leads to lethargy, drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches. The same situation is typical for windy weather, for wet and dusty days.

As a result of this, we can conclude that negative ions have a positive effect on human health, and positive ions have a depressing effect. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is characterized by a wavelength of 295-400 nm. This is the short wavelength part of the solar spectrum. It has a great effect on the human body. The level of ultraviolet radiation is different in different climatic zones in the territory Russian Federation. North 57.5 north latitude there are zones of deficiency of ultraviolet radiation. And in order to get at least 45 servings of the sun, the so-called erythemal doses of UVR, you need to spend a lot of time under the sun.

It is necessary for normal human life. Ultraviolet radiation can destroy microorganisms on the skin, prevent rickets, promotes normal metabolism of minerals and increases the body's resistance to infectious and other diseases of the body. With a lack of ultraviolet irradiation, phosphorus-calcium metabolism is disturbed, the body's sensitivity to infectious diseases, as well as to colds, increases, functional disorders of the central nervous system occur, some chronic diseases become aggravated, and overall physiological activity decreases. The person loses his ability to work. Particular sensitivity to "light hunger" is manifested in children who have an increased likelihood of beriberi D.

The effect of weather and climate on the human body can be divided into:

2) Indirect.

direct action - this is a direct effect of temperature and humidity on the body, which can be expressed in heat stroke, hyperthermia, frostbite, etc. Direct action can be manifested by exacerbation of chronic diseases, tuberculosis, intestinal infections, etc.

More attention is paid indirect influence that due to aperiodic changes in weather conditions. These changes come into resonance with the normal human physiological rhythms. Man basically adapted to the change of day and night, the seasons. As for aperiodic, abrupt changes, they have an unfavorable effect. This is especially true for weather-labile or weather-sensitive people and manifests itself in the so-called meteotropic reactions.

Meteotropic reactions are not a nosological unit with a clearly defined symptom complex. Most authors define meteotropic reactions as a syndrome of maladjustment, i.e. meteoneurosis of maladaptive origin. In most weather-sensitive people, it is manifested by a deterioration in general well-being, sleep disturbances, anxiety, headaches, decreased performance, fatigue, sudden jumps in blood pressure, sensations of pain in the heart, etc.

Meteotropic reactions usually develop simultaneously with a change meteorological conditions or slightly ahead of them. As already mentioned, such reactions are most characteristic of weather-sensitive people, i.e. people who are able to respond with physiological or pathological reactions to the impact of weather and meteorological factors. At the same time, we must not forget that people who do not feel the influence of the weather still show reactions to it, although sometimes they are not realized. This is especially important to take into account, for example, for transport drivers, whose attention decreases with sudden changes in the weather, reaction time increases, etc.

Mechanisms meteotropic reactions are very complex and ambiguous.

In the most general form, we can say that with significant fluctuations in meteorological conditions, overstrain and disruption of adaptation mechanisms (maladjustment syndrome) occur. At the same time, the biological rhythms of the body are distorted, become chaotic, pathological changes are observed in the work of the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, violations of biochemical processes, etc. This, in turn, leads to disturbances in various body systems, primarily in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

There are 3 degrees of severity of meteotropic reactions:

Light degree - characterized by complaints general- malaise, fatigue, decreased performance, sleep disturbances, etc.

Average degree - hemodynamic changes, the appearance of symptoms characteristic of the underlying chronic disease

Severe degree - severe violations cerebral circulation, hypertensive crises, exacerbations of coronary artery disease, asthmatic attacks, etc.

Manifestations meteotropic reactions are very diverse, but in general they come down to exacerbation of chronic diseases already existing in humans. It is possible to distinguish different types of action of meteotropic reactions.

1. cardiac type- pain in the heart, shortness of breath

2. Brain type- headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears

3. mixed type - characterized by a combination of cardiac and nervous disorders

4. Astheno-neurotic type - irritability, irritability, insomnia, sudden changes in blood pressure.

5. There are people with the so-called. undefined type reactions - they are dominated by general weakness, pain and aches in the joints, muscles.

It should be noted that this division of meteotropic reactions is very conditional and does not fully reflect all of their pathological manifestations.

The most common example of a meteotropic reaction in life is a compensatory increase in blood pressure with a decrease in atmospheric pressure, which in people suffering from hypertension can lead to a hypertensive crisis.

Prevention meteotropic reactions can be daily, seasonal and temporary.

Daily Prevention implies general non-specific activities - hardening, physical education, outdoor activities, etc. Seasonal prevention is carried out in spring and autumn, when the so-called seasonal disturbances of biological rhythms are observed and involves the use of medicines, vitamins.

Urgent prevention is carried out immediately before the weather change (based on the data of a specialized medical weather forecast) and consists in the use of drugs to prevent the exacerbation of chronic diseases in this patient.

The health and mental state of a person depends 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 impact is noticeable

The most obvious influence occurs in the following cases:

  • Abrupt change in weather. A sudden strong wind, a thunderstorm or a cold snap cause a change in health status. In stronger people, there is practically no deterioration in well-being, but in cores, hypertensive patients, diabetics, severe headaches begin, pressure rises up to a hypertensive crisis, there may be a heart attack.
  • Traveling over 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 people think that if you live in one place for a long time, then over time the body adapts, and all influence stops, but in fact this 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 is not only the combination of hot and cold days of the year, not only the average daily temperature or the amount of precipitation. This is 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, and 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 health 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 Petersburg Academy 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 and are especially difficult depending on climatic conditions. Thus, an outbreak of West Nile fever was twice recorded in Russia during an abnormally warm winter. These observations have been repeatedly confirmed in our time.

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 on the processes of heat exchange between a person and the environment, as well as on the skin, sweating, blood circulation and metabolism.

The indirect influence of climate on a person is longer in time. These are the changes in his body that occur after certain period location 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

The hot climate, especially tropical climate, 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 such measures are not enough to maintain the thermal balance, then profuse sweating begins. Most often, people prone to heart disease suffer from heat. Doctors confirm that hot summer is the time when most heart attacks occur, and there is also an exacerbation of chronic cardiovascular diseases.

You should also be aware of 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 that which lives in natural areas where the climate is temperate.

The effect on well-being of lower temperatures

For those who enter the northern regions or live there permanently, a decrease in heat transfer is observed. 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 and a significant layer subcutaneous fat which prevents heat transfer. But not all people are able to adapt to the cold normally, if there is abrupt change 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 climatic conditions

Weather and health 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 good health. 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 also a reverse 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 hot air and bright sun south. They often suffer from headaches, burn faster in the sun and take longer to get used to new conditions.

The fact that climate and man are inextricably linked is confirmed by the following facts:

  • Residents of the south are more difficult to endure the cold where locals can walk without putting on a lot of clothes.
  • When the inhabitants of arid regions get into a tropical area, where the water literally stands in the air, they begin to get sick.
  • 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 also increases significantly.

Temperature fluctuations

Temperature fluctuations are a serious test for health. Climate change is especially painful for a child. What happens in the body during sudden temperature fluctuations?

A 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 temperatures to high and vice versa, the body manages 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, on the contrary, to which the skin receptors react accordingly. Such an influence is very well noticeable when climbing into the mountains, where climatic conditions, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and air temperature change with every ten meters.

Already at an altitude of 300 meters, it begins due to the fact that the wind and the low oxygen content in the air 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 further enhanced, a large number of red blood cells and hemoglobin appear in the blood.

At high altitudes, where the 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 to places with a dry climate.

Defense mechanism

With frequent changes natural conditions the human body builds something like a barrier over time, so significant changes are not observed. Adaptation occurs quickly and relatively painlessly, regardless of the direction of travel and how sharply the temperature changes when the climate changes.

Climbers experience high g-forces on peaks that can be fatal. Therefore, they take special ones with them, while local residents who live high above sea level from birth do not have such problems.

The mechanism of climate protection is currently unclear to scientists.

seasonal fluctuations

The influence of seasonal changes is also important. Healthy 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 react especially sharply 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 cause these symptoms. After that, you can try to deal with them. First of all, the normalization of the general condition contributes to a healthy lifestyle. It includes: long sleep, proper nutrition, walks in the fresh air, moderate physical activity.

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 fruits and meat.

Climate change during pregnancy

Often, meteorological dependence can occur in pregnant women, who before that quite calmly experienced the change of seasons or weather.

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 associated with adapting to a new climate while traveling is completely unnecessary.

The influence 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 healthy 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 adults should carefully monitor the condition of the baby during climate change.

Because children are more sensitive to different climate change, in medicine there is a whole section - climatotherapy. Doctors who practice this treatment, without the help of drugs, can achieve significant improvements in the health of the child.

The most beneficial effect on children's body has a maritime or mountain climate. Maritime salty water, sunbathing has a beneficial effect on his mental state, as well as improves overall health and promotes 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.

The impact of climate on older people

The elderly are the category that needs to be especially attentive to climate change or travel. This is primarily due to the fact that people old age 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 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 healthy person needs from five to seven days to adapt to a new climate, 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 traveling for the elderly.

An abrupt change will certainly entail a change in the time zone and the length of day and night. These changes are hard to bear even by healthy people, not to mention the elderly. Insomnia is one of the most innocent problems of the elderly.

Impact on health of different climatic zones

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.

The mountain climate, on the contrary, serves to excite nervous activity and increase efficiency. This is due to the high pressure frequent shifts 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 who are busy creative activity, 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 health. Scientists have proven that people who are constantly in places with a cold climate are more resistant to various diseases, including chronic ones. Residents of the north practically do not suffer from diabetes and age more slowly.

Each area has its own climate. We are so accustomed to the climatic conditions of living in our region and rarely think about the harm or benefit they have on health. We propose to deal with this issue in this article.

So what is climate? This cumulative concept includes a list of natural factors, such as air temperature and humidity, altitude, wind strength, sunlight and others that are characteristic of a particular area. Under the weather understand the state of the lower atmospheric layer in a particular area in a particular period of time. The weather is set under the influence of climatic factors, which, in turn, affect a person’s well-being on health in different ways: they can strengthen immunity, or they can cause diseases, but the key word here is influence!

In the course of its existence, the organism adapts to changing environmental conditions due to adaptive reactions, and 2-3 weeks are enough to adapt to a new climate without stress. Moreover, a person is able to adapt to the most extreme conditions(a prime example is the ice age), but this takes time, much more than a couple of weeks. And when this time is not available, adaptive reactions become destructive, for example, when a person goes on vacation to the tropics in winter: in addition to a sharp change in climate, biological rhythms fail (desynchronosis), and one exacerbates the other.

Dependence on weather factors exists, and in some people it is very strong. The strength of an organism's response to a change in environmental factors is called a "meteotropic response". All people who have hypersensitivity climatic factors are divided into 2 categories:

  1. Weather dependent. They feel bad when the weather changes, atmospheric pressure changes, sudden changes in temperature, etc. The condition will return to normal when the weather normalizes.
  2. People who do not tolerate a certain climate or a factor characteristic of a climatic zone: high humidity, strong wind, low temperature, etc. These factors cause a number of diseases. The condition improves only when the climate changes.

Increase weather dependence:

  • chronic diseases;
  • dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels;
  • stress;
  • hypodynamia;
  • children's and senile age;
  • features of the individual.

Weather and climate have an impact even on those whose body does not respond to weather changes. Some "general" diseases are exacerbated in a certain period of the year: colds, viral diseases and inflammation of the respiratory system most often occur in winter and in the off-season, and the height of intestinal infections occurs in the summer.

It is a well-known fact that with a number of diseases a person becomes much easier after recovery in the recommended climatic conditions. Many methods of balneological treatment are based on this: health resorts and sanatoriums located in a certain area invite a narrow category of patients for recovery.

Today there is a separate direction in medicine - climatotherapy, rooted in history. The influence of weather and climatic factors on health began to be studied in the 18th century. Even then, many climatic resorts appeared, where people with tuberculosis and nervous diseases were treated.

Before the active development of synthetic pharmacology, the therapy of many diseases was carried out in health resorts, which have now transformed from places of treatment into places of rest. However, the importance of climatotherapy is increasing every year, especially since many people are switching to natural, natural methods treatment, thereby reducing the drug burden on the body.

  • Mountain (not high-altitude!) climate has a positive effect on the state of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and is recommended for patients with bronchitis, chronic inflammatory processes in the lungs, bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, anemia, as well as children and adults with reduced immunity. It has a positive effect on the treatment of diseases of the nervous system and is especially recommended for asthenics.
  • The sea climate improves immunity and improves the adaptive capacity of the body. Recommended for patients suffering from diseases of the respiratory system, metabolism, nervous system, thyroid dysfunction and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (in autumn and spring, when the air t is not yet high).
  • Forest-steppe climate with its characteristic moderate humidity and a slight temperature difference, it is most favorable for patients with vascular and heart diseases.
  • The desert climate is characterized by dry air and high temperature air. It causes intense sweating, and salts come out with sweat, which has a positive effect on the standing of people with certain kidney diseases.
  • The forest climate of the middle zone with a predominance of coniferous forests is optimal for the treatment of respiratory diseases (including bronchial asthma) and the nervous system, hypertension, coronary artery disease. Many essential oils heal the respiratory tract, improve blood circulation and positively affect the immune system.

The most popular sanatoriums are located in places where several resort areas intersect, which greatly increases the effectiveness of treating a wide range of diseases. The combination of mountain and sea climate has a particularly positive effect on health (the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, Abkhazia, South coast Crimea).

People with increased weather sensitivity should not live and work in conditions Far North And equatorial climate- the body will experience tremendous stress! It is recommended to undergo preventive treatment in health resorts located in climate zone residence.

Consider the influence of individual climatic factors on health.

The influence of temperature factors on the body

The intensity of thermoregulation and metabolism directly depends on the air temperature. For example, when T is below 18 degrees, our energy goes to heat the body, and the metabolic rate increases compensatory. At elevated temperatures, metabolism is slowed down, superficial vessels are dilated for better heat transfer, water evaporation increases from both the pulmonary alveoli and the skin surface: all these mechanisms help to avoid overheating. The optimal, physiological level for the body is considered to be 18-20 C.

The temperature depends on the height above sea level, geographic latitude, seasons, so it is never constant, and the human body constantly adapts to its change, reacting to changes purely individually.

Consider the positive and negative effects of different temperatures on health

positive negative How to avoid negative influence

High temperatures

  • blood circulation improves due to the penetration of heat into the body to a depth of up to 5 cm and the expansion of blood vessels;
  • improves metabolism and tissue nutrition. Increased vascular permeability determines easier penetration of nutrients into tissues and removal of metabolic products from the intercellular space;
  • the analgesic effect is realized by reducing the sensitivity of nerve endings located in the superficial areas of muscle tissue and in the skin.
  • overheating reduces immunity. Prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures reduces the activity of lymphocytes. That is why in the hot summer months there is a high incidence of SARS;
  • the general condition worsens. The central nervous system reacts to high temperatures (above 28 C) with weakness, drowsiness and loss of strength;
  • skin inflammatory reactions develop due to the expansion of pores and increased secretion of fat and sweat, i.e. optimal conditions are created for the penetration of bacteria into the skin.
  • avoid overheating, especially for children and the elderly;
  • wear natural clothes, protect your head from the sun. Optimum is linen clothing, which, as you know, cools when worn;
  • observe the drinking regimen: constantly drink clean drinking water but in small portions.

Low temperatures

  • hardening of the body occurs. A short exposure to cold has a stimulating effect on the immune system and reduces the risk of developing respiratory pathologies. The stress that develops in the body due to low temperatures leads to the release of cortisol, which increases metabolism and increases the activity of the immune system;
  • decreased sensitivity to cold. Under conditions of low temperatures, the skin vessels constrict compensatory, reducing heat loss;
  • the processes of cellular aging are slowed down and the production of collagen is accelerated;
  • stops the growth of pathogenic flora. Microbes that live in soil, food and water stop multiplying at temperatures below 0 C;
  • body weight decreases. In the cold, metabolism is activated and the breakdown of fats is accelerated.
  • the body's defenses decrease with prolonged hypothermia. On cold-sensitive areas (bronchial mucosa, throat and nose), vasospasm occurs, and this leads to the development of an inflammatory reaction;
  • a cold allergy of the type of urticaria may develop. This is due to the deposition of insoluble proteins in the skin, which are formed against the background of low temperatures. It is typical for people with helminthic invasion, systemic lupus erythematosus, pathologies of the liver and biliary tract.
  • avoid hypothermia;
  • prepare with hardening procedures gradually: take a contrast shower, use douche, contrast wiping, lowering the water temperature gradually.

Recently, nature loves to “joke”, so snow in May or warm January is already perceived calmly. But the body is not used to such jumps. The abnormal warming that occurs in winter develops due to the invasion of warm air masses: Atmospheric pressure decreases, humidity increases, oxygen levels in the air decrease. Therefore, even healthy people during this period feel overwhelmed and drowsy, and some have exacerbated chronic diseases. During this period, it is recommended to rest more, avoid stress, refuse heavy food.

The effect of humidity on health and immunity

Air humidity is formed due to microscopic particles of water dissolved in the environment. Humidity directly depends on air temperature: the higher it is, the more moisture is in suspension. Normal indicators are 60-80%. Low humidity less than 55% adversely affects the mucous membranes and skin, which dry out and lose their protective properties. High humidity, on the other hand, prevents the normal evaporation of sweat, which is why a person does not tolerate heat well and increases the risk heat stroke. In addition, at high humidity, sub-zero temperatures are also poorly tolerated.

The positive effect of normal humidity

  • Normal humidity supports local immunity of the respiratory tract, which means it protects against the penetration of pathogens into the respiratory system.
  • Improves the synthesis of bronchopulmonary secretion. The cilia of the ciliated epithelium bring the mucus out, along with it - bacteria, allergens and dust.

Negative impact

High humidity:

  • sharply increases the risk of overheating and hypothermia: frostbite of the legs, hands, face and other parts of the body can already be at a temperature of -5-10 C;
  • increases the risk of colds, as it weakens the immune system. In addition, excessively humid air is always characterized by a high content of viruses, bacteria and fungal spores;
  • leads to a deterioration in the condition of people with diseases of the bones and joints, lungs;
  • coupled with high temperature causes fatigue, irritability and discomfort.

Low Humidity:

  • leads to drying of the mucous membranes, which is manifested by pain in the eyes, nosebleeds, nasal congestion, frequent colds;
  • increases the risk of respiratory diseases: mucus, thickening and stagnating in the nose and bronchi, becomes a good environment for the reproduction of viruses, bacteria and the accumulation of allergens;
  • leads to a violation of ionic balance, and positively charged ions become predominant in the body;
  • worsens the condition of allergy sufferers and asthmatics.

To prevent the negative impact of this factor on health, you should:

  • maintain normal humidity in the room. To monitor indicators, there are special devices - hygrometers. In dry air, it must be moistened by ventilation or using a special humidifier, and in case of excessive humidity, it should be slightly dried;
  • regularly ventilate the premises - this contributes to the formation of a healthy environment.

The effect of atmospheric pressure on immunity

The unit of atmospheric pressure is a conditional indicator, which indicates the air pressure per unit area. Normal indicators - 760-770 mm Hg. When the weather changes, most often there are slight fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, which are balanced by internal pressure. Air moves from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone in order to balance the difference, and as a result, anticyclones, cyclones, fogs, etc.

Significant jumps that occur during atmospheric fronts when air flows with different temperatures collide can cause dizziness, migraines and blood pressure surges. These negative manifestations are associated with a slowdown in blood flow, which is compensated by the release of adrenaline and an increase in blood pressure. In weather-dependent people, the release of adrenaline causes discomfort. Thus, neither high nor low atmospheric pressure has a positive effect.

Negative influence

Low atmospheric pressure (less than 750 mm Hg) that occurs during a cyclone High atmospheric pressure (above 780 mm Hg), which develops during an anticyclone
General weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength, migraine, shortness of breath, digestive dysfunction (diarrhea and abdominal pain) are common manifestations that develop in people with low blood pressure, pathologies of the lungs and bronchi. Deterioration of the well-being of allergy sufferers, asthmatics, hypertensive patients due to high air pollution and a large amount of impurities in it, which are manifested by heart, headaches, general weakness.
An additional burden on the heart, blood vessels and brain due to the fact that the level of dissolved gases increases in the blood and tissues. Persistent vasospasm (often in combination with high blood pressure and low temperatures), leading to a jump in blood pressure in hypertensive patients. And coupled with blood clotting, this carries a direct risk of stroke and heart attack, a greater number of cases of which are just recorded at high atmospheric pressure.
Decrease in the strength of heart contractions, which leads to the development of tachycardia. Reduced resistance to infections, which develops against the background of a decrease in leukocytes in the blood.

For weather-sensitive people, it is not so important what pressure has been established, but the very fact of changing this weather factor(drops of 10-20 hP during the day are considered strong). To avoid changes in your condition during jumps in atmospheric pressure, especially for people with increased weather sensitivity, you should:

  • sleep well and avoid overwork;
  • do light exercises in the morning to improve blood circulation;
  • take a contrast shower, which improves the condition of blood vessels;
  • follow a light, low-calorie diet and saturate the diet with potassium-containing foods: spinach, nuts, mushrooms, dried fruits;
  • For patients with chronic pathologies, it is very important to follow all the recommendations of the doctor and not to skip the medication.

Effect of wind speed on health

The wind we are accustomed to is the movement of air masses, during which the upper and lower layers of air are mixed, which reduces gas pollution and makes breathing easier. The optimal indicator is 1-4 m/s: with such a wind, heat exchange and thermoregulation occur at the physiological level.

Positive influence

  • Wind within 1-4 m/s reduces dust and air pollution in megacities, reduces the concentration of harmful chemicals and smog.
  • Together with warm weather (20-22 C), it improves the evaporation of moisture from the skin, has a tonic effect on the body, and activates internal reserves;
  • At a wind speed of 4-8 m / s, the functioning of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems improves, the body's resistance to infections improves;
  • Reduces the risk of overheating in hot weather.

Negative impact

  • Wind more than 20 m/s causes difficulty in breathing: it acts on the mechanoreceptors of the respiratory mucosa and causes reflex constriction of the vocal cords and bronchi. Increases heat transfer, so the cold is more noticeable in windy weather;
  • Causes anxiety and restlessness;
  • Increases the risk of colds. Wind, and especially drafts, cause muscle and vascular spasm in a local area of ​​the body, after which inflammation develops, pain syndrome and optimal conditions are created for the reproduction of bacteria. It is in this scenario that often develop neuralgia, runny nose, mild colds, exacerbation of chronic rheumatism, sciatica;
  • It dries out the mucous membranes and skin, which worsen their protective properties. The skin begins to peel off, dries up, cracks, and the pathogenic flora easily penetrates into microdamages.

  • avoid drafts;
  • dress for the weather.

The effect of air pollution on the immune system

Residents of megacities breathe air polluted with exhaust gas particles, emissions from factories and enterprises, coal combustion products, and dust. Together, these substances create a dangerous aerosol in the air, which increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease, thrombosis, bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and cancer. A particular health hazard is smog - a fog of harmful chemical particles that "hangs" over major cities in windless weather.

The air we breathe contains positively and negatively charged ions, the percentage of which depends on the season, the purity of the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure and other factors. Positively charged particles negatively affect a person, cause headaches, fatigue, general malaise and increase the risk of a heart attack. Negatively charged ions accelerate wound healing, improve mood and well-being.

positive impact

Air with impurities formed naturally has a positive effect on health.

  • Sea salts. The air on the coast of the sea is characterized by high humidity and a special composition: it is saturated with salts and minerals from sea water. Such an air environment favorably affects the bronchi and lungs, reduces the likelihood of croup and exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
  • Some phytoncides that stand out coniferous trees(young pines, spruces, thuja, fir), as well as poplar and birch, have a detrimental effect on bacteria and fungi and stop their growth.
  • negatively charged ions. There are especially many of them in the air after a thunderstorm, as well as near mountain waterfalls, on the banks of reservoirs. Ions with a negative charge accelerate the recovery of the body after infections and injuries, normalize the condition of the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract, and have a positive effect on the central nervous system.

Bad influence

  • Carbon monoxide and nitrogen causes oxygen starvation, leading to malaise and headache. The main contribution to the formation of these compounds is made by vehicles and emissions from industrial enterprises.
  • Sulfur dioxide is a compound that irritates the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and eyes and reduces their protective properties. Causes conjunctivitis, bronchitis, heart disease and blood vessels. Actively formed during combustion hard coal at thermal power plants and enters the air with industrial emissions.
  • Soot is a carcinogen. Its particles less than 5 microns settle in the alveoli and are no longer removed from there, causing lung diseases. It is formed during the combustion of rubber, plastics, hydrocarbons.

How to avoid negative influence:

  • use high-quality, certified cleaners and indoor air ionizers, not forgetting to change filters in a timely manner;
  • carry out scheduled replacement of filters in air conditioners;
  • as often as possible, walk in parks remote from the tracks, or outside the city;
  • undergo speleotherapy sessions with a course of 10 procedures 2 times a year, especially for people suffering from allergic diseases, nervous and respiratory systems;
  • regularly ventilate living quarters.

The effect of solar radiation on immunity

The totality of all the energy coming from the sun is called solar radiation. Highest value for the body has ultraviolet radiation, which, depending on the spectrum, penetrates to different depths in the tissues, having different effects on the body. In more detail about the influence of ultraviolet radiation is described in our separate article, we will dwell on the main points that relate to immunity.

Positive influence

  • Sunlight is necessary for normal human life - an insufficient amount sunny days leads to a deficiency of serotonin and endorphins and depression, which adversely affects the immune system. Sufficient sunlight improves mood and stimulates brain activity.
  • It activates the work of all organs and systems, accelerates blood circulation and metabolism.
  • It activates the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin, which is involved in the metabolism of phosphorus and calcium, and a number of other processes.
  • Accelerates the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, acne.
  • It has a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms.
  • The heat of the sun warms and relaxes the muscles, relieves soreness.
  • Visible solar rays are directly involved in the work of the visual analyzer, provide color vision - they are reflected from various objects, hit the retina and turn into nerve impulses that are already analyzed by the brain.
  • Synchronize biorhythms, providing alternation of sleep and wakefulness.

Negative impact

The negative impact is associated with the excessive effect of solar radiation on a person.

  • Can lead to sunstroke, a dangerous condition that can be fatal.
  • Causes an exacerbation of chronic diseases.
  • Depresses immunity.
  • Causes sunburn and photodermatitis.
  • Reduces visual acuity.
  • Accelerates skin aging and dehydrates it.
  • Increases the risk of developing skin cancer and accelerates the progression of an existing cancer.

How to avoid negative influence:

  • exclude exposure to the open sun from 11 am to 4 pm;
  • observe the drinking regimen: at least 1.5-2 liters of clean water during the day;
  • use products with UV protection for the skin both during tanning and during everyday activities, protect the head, body and eyes from direct sunlight: wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, natural clothes in light colors;
  • follow the rules of a healthy tan.

The influence of the composition of water and soil on immunity

A person receives various minerals, macro- and microelements with water and food, the composition of which largely depends on the types of soil: water passes through its layers and is saturated with elements, plants grow on the ground and also receive various components from it. The composition and quantity of chemical elements often changes in a negative direction due to economic activity person.

positive impact

  • Iodine ensures the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, in particular, the production of iodine-containing hormones that regulate metabolic processes in the body. With iodine deficiency in the body, endemic goiter develops.
  • Fluorine increases the density of bone tissue and teeth, and the lack of the element is the cause of caries.
  • Cobalt is involved in the synthesis and absorption of vitamin B12, while its deficiency leads to a deficiency of this vitamin.

Negative impact

  • An excess of fluorine over 1.5 mg/l leads to the development of fluorosis: damage to tooth enamel. This situation is typical for soil with mineral deposits, and also happens during the activities of enterprises producing nitrates, superphosphates, and aluminum.
  • Heavy metal salts such as zinc, lead, cadmium, mercury, which enter the soil and water with smoke and sewage industrial enterprises, accumulate in the body and lead to severe poisoning.
  • radioactive elements. The greatest contribution to the chemical pollution of water and soil was made by the Chernobyl accident. Radon, uranium, thorium, lead, radioactive iodine and other radionuclides emit gamma rays and irradiate humans, and also enter the body with water, food and cause cancer.
  • Contamination of the soil with bacteria, fungi, helminth eggs and protozoa leads to the fact that they enter the body through contact, household, food and air, causing a number of diseases: helminthic invasions, dysentery, viral hepatitis, typhoid fever.

How to avoid negative influence:

  • try to buy organic products;
  • drink purified (filtered) or bottled water, especially while in other countries. If this is not possible, it is allowed to boil tap water (as a temporary solution);
  • wash hands before eating with soap and foods before eating.

The effect of altitude on immunity

As altitude increases, the concentration of oxygen in the air decreases. To restore the level of oxygen saturation in the blood, compensatory mechanisms are triggered: the heartbeat and respiratory rate increase, the level of red blood cells in the blood increases.

positive impact

  • Mountain air is considered the cleanest: it is devoid of dangerous impurities, saturated with negatively charged ions. People living in mountainous areas have an increased level of red blood cells and a rapid response of the immune system to the introduction of the pathogen: immunoglobulins are synthesized at an increased rate. A priori, highlanders have minimized contact with pathogens and their immunity is not weakened, unlike urban residents.
  • Clean air, non-polluted soil and organic products have a positive effect on overall health.
  • High levels of sunlight activate the synthesis of vitamin D, which, according to recent research, is involved in stimulating the growth of immune cells that destroy cancerous tumors.

Negative impact

  • At an altitude of 4000 thousand meters above sea level and more, all cells of the body suffer from oxygen deficiency - the so-called altitude sickness occurs. Brain cells are most sensitive to hypoxia, so a person feels headache, dizziness, depression of mood. The myocardium suffers from a lack of oxygen - IHD develops.
  • A decrease in atmospheric pressure leads to a jump in blood pressure and increases the risk of a heart attack.
  • An increase in the level of solar radiation and a weakening of the magnetic field accelerates the aging of cells and slows down their regeneration.

How to avoid negative influence:

  • do not climb to a height of more than 4000 above sea level without special training;
  • when hiking in mountainous areas, one should gradually adapt to new conditions, getting used to each new height (average adaptation period is 3-14 days);
  • you can’t climb mountains with exacerbation of chronic diseases and the presence of serious pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

The effect of a magnetic field on immunity

A static geomagnetic field is created by our planet and has an impact on health. The body also has its own magnetic field. The balance of magnetic fields leads to balance in the body and the preservation of health. But there are weather-dependent people, and for them geo magnetic storms, which are caused by solar flares, are dangerous to health.

positive impact

  • The magnetic field is involved in maintaining daily biorhythms.
  • Strengthens the immune system (reducing the magnetic field increases the tendency to frequent diseases).
  • Improves the permeability of the vascular wall, the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues.
  • Improves the functioning of the central nervous system.
  • Slows down the growth of tumors, in particular, colon cancer.

Negative impact

Geomagnetic storms that occur 2-4 times a month:

  • Violate daily biorhythms, in particular, disrupt the synthesis of hormones that control daily activity and cause insomnia.
  • Change the emotional background - cause bouts of anger, depression up to suicidal thoughts.
  • Slow down the reaction rate and increase the risk of injury. At this time, the number of traffic accidents, accidents and incidents doubles.
  • Violate the work of the heart, causing tachycardia and increasing the risk of myocardial infarction (especially 1 day after the onset of storms). The vascular system is the most vulnerable: receptors in the walls of blood vessels pick up magnetic field vibrations and resonate with them. This leads to a narrowing of the vessels of the brain, a slowdown in blood flow, an increase in blood pressure and blood viscosity, and these are the risks of dangerous acute heart diseases.

Some doctors and scientists believe that fluctuations in the magnetic field have a positive effect on biological processes: for many thousands of years, the human internal clock has been coordinated with the rhythms of the sun and stars. Those. fluctuations in the magnetic field and solar flares are a kind of winding up for the body and the internal clock and keep the body in good shape. But such a positive influence is realized only if the person is completely healthy, and, alas, there are few of them.

How to avoid the negative impact during geomagnetic storms:

  • accept medications with a preventive purpose;
  • take acetylsalicylic acid preparations to reduce blood clotting;
  • take motherwort or valerian tincture;
  • do not overeat, avoid fatty and hard-to-digest food, drink non-carbonated mineral water, vegetable juices;
  • do not wear clothes made of natural fur or 100% synthetics during this period (they attract electricity);
  • track forecasts of meteorologists: as a rule, they report about the approach of a geomagnetic storm 2 days in advance.

Attention weather-sensitive! There are places where magnetic storms and solar activity are especially strong: the upper layers of the atmosphere at an altitude of 9-11 km above the ground (when flying in an airplane) and in the north (Scandinavian Peninsula).

The impact of climate on children

Everyone knows that adaptive reactions to climate and weather changes (acclimatization) in children are more complicated and take a long period of time. A growing organism is the most vulnerable in this regard. Change geographical latitudes leads to a malfunction in the immune system, and the respiratory system is the first to be hit.

Many protective mechanisms in children are imperfect, and the younger the child, the stronger the reaction is the temperature difference, the intensity of solar radiation, changes in humidity, atmospheric pressure and other natural factors. And most often such a “blow” to the body occurs during the long-awaited vacation.

In order not to end up in a hospital room instead of a pleasant rest, you should follow a number of recommendations:

  • Climate. Seaside resorts with low humidity and not over the top temperatures are ideal: the northern shores of the Caspian Sea, Anapa, Gelendzhik, Italy, Greece and France.

This is the most mild conditions for acclimatization.

  • Timezone . The time difference should not exceed 2 hours. It is especially dangerous when the hands of the clock are moved much forward - the excitability of the central nervous system increases and hormonal failure may develop.
  • Trip duration. All pediatricians say that you should not go for less than 3 weeks. This is true - it will take at least 5 days to adapt, even if it goes unnoticed.

How to reduce the negative impact of climatic factors on immunity

The influence of a combination of climatic factors affects the well-being of different people in different ways. In the body of relatively healthy people, when the weather changes, the restructuring of physiological processes to changed conditions occurs in a timely manner. In people with chronic diseases, the elderly and weather-sensitive, adaptive reactions are weakened, so the body reacts to climate change. Nevertheless, meteorological dependence, even in the extreme degree of manifestation, is not a disease, but requires heightened attention to yourself and your health.

To reduce weather dependence and improve adaptive reactions to changing weather conditions, it is recommended:

  • exercise regularly, at least 2-3 times a week, while reducing significant physical activity;
  • stay outdoors more in "clean" areas: in the forest, park;
  • harden by choosing the best way in accordance with the state of health;
  • periodically take vitamin and mineral complexes (vitamins A, E, C are especially important) or monitor the vitamin and mineral usefulness of food;
  • get enough sleep, taking at least 7 hours a day to sleep;
  • take a course of general massage 1 time per six months;
  • take soothing herbal remedies to reduce the excitability of the central nervous system (mint, lemon balm) or inhalation with mint and lavender, and in case of loss of strength - tinctures of eleutherococcus, lemongrass or ginseng;
  • give up alcohol and smoking, limit coffee and strong tea, replace them with herbal teas or high-quality green teas with honey;
  • include dishes from seaweed, fish, beans, lentils, beets, cranberries in the menu. 30 minutes before meals, it is recommended to drink freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices, clean water with the addition of lemon juice.

However, these measures do not always bring relief, and people have to change their place of residence, move to another climatic zone.