Acclimatization: what to do and how to avoid?

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

Scientists have proven that moving within a range of ten degrees of latitude or longitude causes all the signs of acclimatization in people. This is especially noticeable when a person moves by plane, thanks to which it is possible to change the location very quickly. Such a blessing of civilization allows changing the climate zone at an accelerated pace, which is a great burden on the human body. At the same time, many people begin to experience unpleasant symptoms that characterize the deterioration of their health and well-being.

Reasons for acclimatization

The reasons for acclimatization are expressed in the need to rebuild the body 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, require the body to change its own "settings". The previously established balance with the environment allowed a person to lead an active lifestyle and feel good. Now he needs to get used to those conditions that are unfamiliar to his body and psyche.

Such a restructuring does not go unnoticed, especially if the climate zone has changed abruptly, in a matter of hours. The human body receives a kind of "kick" and feels "out of place". Therefore, there is a forced rapid change in adaptation settings, which cannot go smoothly and unnoticed for a person's well-being.

When the organism adapts to the new living conditions, another equilibrium with the environment will occur, and the person will feel good. But for this, a certain amount of time must pass, and some measures must be taken.

Acclimatization and reacclimatization

Acclimatization and reacclimatization are two sides of the same coin. Because the first is the adaptation of the organism to new environmental conditions and in a new territory. And the second is associated with adaptation to the usual conditions of the habitat, which were abandoned for some reason.

Usually, during short trips to new regions, upon return a person gets all the symptoms of re-acclimatization. They are expressed in the same deterioration of health as during acclimatization, the signs of which can be found below. A similar situation is typical for a short summer vacation, especially in a hot country. As soon as the body has adapted to the new climate, it is torn out of there and returned home. And now it is the turn of re-acclimatization, which is even more difficult than acclimatization.

In addition, being in new territories and stress received by the body triggers an exacerbation of long-standing and "dormant" chronic diseases in a person. Therefore, it often happens that a healthy person, thirsty for new impressions, goes on vacation, and returns as a "sick wreck" who now needs to rest from the vacation received.

Most often, upon returning from vacation, people complain of an exacerbation or occurrence of problems with the digestive system, as well as various types of skin diseases.

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Signs of acclimatization

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

The most intense and unpleasant adaptation occurs in childhood and old age. Specific processes characteristic only of this gender can also occur in the female body. For example, some women experience menstrual cycle disorders, menstruation stops or disappears for a while.

Vacationers need to know that many chronic diseases are exacerbated by changes in living conditions. And the symptoms of this situation coincide with the signs of an exacerbation of the disease. Therefore, having arrived on vacation, you can get a relapse of some unpleasant disease and devote the entire vacation time to restoring your health.

Read more about the symptoms of acclimatization here.

How long does acclimatization last?

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

It is important for those vacationing in hot countries to know that adaptation among residents of northern countries is slower than among residents of middle latitudes.

The processes of adaptation to new conditions begin to occur immediately after staying in a new place. But the sensations of acclimatization begin to appear in a person only on the second or third day from the moment of a temporary change of habitat. This happens because bright and strong positive emotions from the impressions received allow one to survive the strong stress from the change of climate. But then, when the emotions have already dulled a little, the body begins to "act up" from such innovations as an unusual climate, food, water, time zone, and so on.

There are several stages to this process:

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

Therefore, the usual week or ten-day vacation in hot countries for our tourists is held under the banner of acclimatization. And you can start to have a full-fledged vacation without feeling unwell only after two weeks of staying in the country. Based on the above, the most optimal period for vacation and stay in an unfamiliar country should be from eighteen to twenty days. This will allow you to most successfully survive the adaptation to new climatic conditions, as well as get a lot of pleasure from visiting a new and interesting place.

Acclimatization after rest

Acclimatization after a vacation is the reverse adaptation to the conditions in which a person lives constantly. Reacclimatization can be quite unpleasant, with stronger symptoms than the situation on vacation. A person is primarily concerned about a loss of strength and fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness, as well as a low mood. Insomnia and irritability are also possible. Sometimes there are even cases of real depression. And this is the case when a person immediately gets back into his work rhythm after a summer vacation.

Therefore, you should not rush almost straight from the station to the long-awaited office. It is best to leave yourself three or four days to stay at home in a calm rhythm of life. You need to sleep a lot, protect yourself from haste and stress, not fill your head with important and urgent matters, and let your body get used to the old climate and familiar life.

If these recommendations are ignored, a person may experience, for example, a cold or problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

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Acclimatization after the sea

Acclimatization after the sea, especially for residents of northern latitudes and temperate climate zones, consists of observing a passive regime. In which it is important to live inactively for a week, eat and sleep more, drink a lot of liquid, watch your favorite movies, read interesting books. In general, create a small oasis at home that will not be disturbed by any stress or worries.

It is also important to minimize contacts with others, as well as constant movement along the streets. The main thing is to allow the body to get used to such stress as returning to a stable life after a short rest in the sunlight, sea air and many bright impressions.

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Acclimatization after Turkey

Acclimatization after Turkey depends on how close the Turkish climate was to the person's usual living conditions. This country has five climate zones, which differ greatly from each other. The Aegean and Mediterranean Seas are quite hot, 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 experience all the delights of a warm winter and a very hot summer. Therefore, reacclimatization in a person can either go completely unnoticed, or be quite bright and unpleasant.

An important feature after a Turkish holiday is the impossibility of warming up at first. Especially for countries with a cold or moderate climate.

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Acclimatization after Egypt

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

And vice versa, there were people who, after a trip to warmth and the sea, got pneumonia upon arrival. Simply because they neglected the disease, which began with a common cold and high temperature. Therefore, after returning from vacation, it is important to listen to your body and provide it with a gentle regime. And at the slightest strange symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor to avoid severe and unexpected complications.

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Acclimatization after Thailand

Acclimatization after Thailand can be very abrupt, especially for residents of cold climates. But some people successfully re-acclimatize, complaining only of some minimal symptoms and ailments. So, a person may be bothered by:

• Lethargy and a feeling of fatigue lasting from five days to a week.
• Constant chills and feeling cold.
• Sore throat and pain in the throat.
• During the first two weeks, problems with the digestive system are possible, in which any meal results in heaviness in the stomach or other discomfort.

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Types of acclimatization

Acclimatization processes are divided into the following types:

• Thermal.
• High-altitude.
• In climates with cold conditions.

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

Ski resort fans will also face the need to adapt. But this time they will have to get used to high-altitude living conditions. High-altitude acclimatization occurs because ski resorts are located above sea level, and much higher. At the same time, the oxygen concentration in these places is reduced, which is completely unusual for residents of the plains, which is the majority of the planet's population and the same mountain lovers. With this type of adaptation, the blood flow slows down, and the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin is also noticeably reduced. These symptoms are typical for cases of the body's transition to an energy-saving stage. In addition, low pressure, which is typical for the mountains, causes suffocation or signs of severe shortness of breath in tourists.

Adaptation to the cold conditions that are typical for northern latitudes awaits lovers of arctic seas, sulfur lights and the sparse beauty of nature. Travelers will have to face low temperatures, strong magnetic storms, and a lack of ultraviolet sunlight, called light starvation. With such environmental changes, people often experience insomnia, high fatigue and drowsiness, as well as a reluctance to eat.

Consequences of acclimatization

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

• Exacerbation of chronic diseases with all the accompanying symptoms.
• Decreased levels of immunity and the body's defenses.
• The emergence of low resistance to climate change during new trips and exacerbation of acclimatization symptoms.

Of course, not all people are inclined to react badly to new living conditions. Many tourists and travelers, on the contrary, become hardened by constant travel and changes in climate zones. And their health and well-being become stronger and more stable.

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Diagnostics of acclimatization

Diagnosis of acclimatization consists of knowing all the symptoms during the adaptation of the body to new living conditions and distinguishing the body's ailments from a number of diseases. After all, it has been noted that intestinal infections, as well as poisoning, can give such a clinical picture as the signs of acute acclimatization.

Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of a difference in a person's condition from the usual adaptation to a new place, it is best to contact a local therapist for examination and consultation. Also, to refute another diagnosis, it is important to take blood, urine and stool tests for laboratory research.

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What to do during acclimatization?

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

First of all, when going to new conditions of existence, a person must prepare his body for climate changes. It is important to do such activities throughout the year to strengthen your own health. But in a situation where unpleasant symptoms no longer give you peace, it is worth stocking up on a first aid kit for all occasions.

This first aid kit should contain antipyretic drugs and antihistamines, medications for gastrointestinal problems. In addition, various sunscreens are important, as well as remedies for after sunbathing and skin burns.

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

It is important to include multivitamin complexes with increased content of vitamins A, C and E in the diet. Foods in which these vitamins are widely represented are also useful. These are carrots, lemons and tangerines, as well as other citrus fruits, spinach, cabbage. It is also important to eat garlic, pomegranates, cranberries and currants.

The first two or three days should not be spent actively walking, going on excursions and sunbathing on local beaches. It is best to spend this time in the hotel, and use the morning and evening hours for walks. It is necessary to wear loose and light clothes with long sleeves, trousers and long skirts.

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

Read more about acclimatization treatment here.

How to avoid acclimatization?

Of course, every tourist and traveler asks himself the question: how to avoid acclimatization? Our useful tips will help to make this difficult task easier.

• Experts recommend traveling to a new country not by plane, but by train. When using aircraft, a person experiences a change in climate zones very quickly, which is a strong stress for him. If you go on a trip by train, you can adapt your body a little to the changing environmental conditions. Because the speed of movement will not be as high as by plane. 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 falls in the evening. At night, the body will be able to rest and adapt to new conditions. Which is very important and useful for a person.
• Clothes for the flight, as well as for the first days of stay in a new place, should be light, comfortable and loose. It should feel comfortable, so that it is neither cold nor hot. Convenience when moving and during rest is also important. A headdress should definitely be available, which will protect a person from the rays of the scorching sun or, conversely, from the cold wind, rain, etc.
• Before going outside for a walk, to the beach or on an excursion, you should definitely apply sunscreen to all areas of the skin that will be exposed to aggressive solar radiation.
• It is better to choose the right time for an active lifestyle outdoors. The safest periods of the day for walking, swimming and getting a tan are from dawn until eleven in the morning, and also after five in the evening until bedtime. Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight. This can not only worsen your health, but also your appearance, which is important for the fair sex.

Acclimatization is a complex process of adaptation of the body to new living conditions. And vacation is given to a person to gain new impressions and relax. Therefore, you should take care of preparing for life in a new climate in advance and get maximum pleasure from your stay in an unfamiliar country.