Adaptation problems: allergies, respiratory distress when moving

A person permanently residing in the same region adapts to climate conditions, and his body functions optimally. If, due to various circumstances, it is required to move to another region, country or even a continent, certain health problems are possible. They are associated with a change in climate and time zones, and the ecological situation. The most likely are skin problems, respiratory and vascular tone disorders, aggravation of allergies. In addition, a change of place of residence provokes stress, which can lead to negative emotions, anxiety and depression. What are adjustment disorders, how can they manifest themselves?  

Southern regions: sun and skin problems

Moving to Novorossiysk, Yalta or Sochi – some of the warmest and sunniest cities in Russia – is associated with the problems of adapting the skin to the effects of sunlight. It has long been known that frequent and prolonged exposure to UV rays on the skin can provoke early aging, dehydration of the epidermis and even tumor growth. If this is a person accustomed to living in northern latitudes, his skin is not adapted to such a volume of UV radiation. This is especially true for people over 50-60 years old and children. Adaptation will take about 3-5 months, or even more, and at this time it is worth protecting the skin from the sun, dose radiation.

Headgear, lightweight cover-ups for exposed parts of the body, and high SPF sunscreens can help protect against negative influences. In addition, you need to consume more fluids, especially in the heat, so that the skin and the whole body do not dehydrate.

Regions of Russia where the risk of allergies is high

Voronezh, Ryazan regions and the south of Russia are the leaders among the regions in terms of seasonal allergies. This is due to the peculiarities of the climate and the growth in the territory of plants and herbs that have the highest allergenic potential. Therefore, those people who have seasonal allergies (hay fever) or atopic bronchial asthma should think carefully before moving. Much less likely to allergies in regions such as the Magadan Region and Chukotka.  

People who move to areas with an increased risk of developing allergies can take steps to reduce their allergenic load, such as using air conditioners and showering before bed. It so happens that when you move to another climatic zone, the allergy disappears for several years, but then appears again, in a much more severe form.  

Problems of people with respiratory pathologies

Moving to a region with an unfavorable environment, people can feel the effect of the smog of large industrial cities. The most dangerous are Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk and Magnitogorsk. The situation in Moscow and St. Petersburg is no less alarming, but already due to constant traffic jams and car exhaust.

Coughs, burning eyes, nasal congestion, and chest tightness can occur regardless of whether the person has chronic breathing problems or not. People with respiratory problems, whose breathing suffers from chronic respiratory diseases, should choose the safest regions for themselves.  

If you need to move to such a polluted area, you can protect your lungs and reduce your risk of breathing problems. You should plan important activities in the early morning, when the air is not yet gassed. After lunch, working out indoors is better than running outdoors. To make breathing easier and create a favorable climate, it is worth purchasing an air conditioner and an air sink for your home.

Heat and humidity: body problems

The seaside regions are considered by many to be the best place to live. But high temperature combined with high air humidity and high mountains is not the best combination for the body, even of healthy people. Adaptation takes a long time and is intense. Overheating is quite possible, as the body is more difficult to evaporate moisture in hot and humid conditions. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, wear light clothing and keep an eye on the humidity inside the house to avoid the development of mold and the provocation of respiratory pathologies such as allergies or asthma.

When moving to coastal regions, you should give preference to a private house with a garden and lawn. Trees and grass help mitigate extreme temperatures, while apartment buildings and concrete jungles do not cool well even at night.

Negative emotions: the most depressed cities in Russia

When you move, not only the body suffers, but also the psyche. This is especially noticeable if you choose to live in one of the most depressed cities in our country. Kurgan, Volgograd, Ulyanovsk or Omsk are leaders among cities where people suffer from depression and often experience negative emotions. Climate peculiarities, socio-economic problems and difficulties in adaptation provoke stress and negative emotions, and can become triggers of depression.

Northern regions with a harsh climate and short summers, frequent rains or snows can provoke in about 10% of people seasonal affective disorders, a special form of depression with a predominance of asthenia and negative emotions, and psychosomatic disorders.

Light therapy is one of the tools for treating seasonal affective disorder, but getting more sun, and therefore more UV rays, requires moving to more southern regions. If this is not possible, it is important to be outdoors as often as possible, especially on fine days, in order to receive the maximum portion of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, you need a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium, minerals.

If you need a move?

Doctors and scientists believe that it is impossible to predict the reactions of the body and mind to moving to a new place. This is especially important for people suffering from bronchial asthma, heart disease, allergies or metabolic disorders. If possible, it is worth making a test visit by living in a new region for 3-4 weeks to see how the body will react to climate change and stress. Ideally, several such test visits should be made at different times of the year. If there is a chronic medical condition and the person is weighing the benefits and risks of moving, it is useful to discuss these issues with a doctor.

event_note March 19, 2021

account_box Winona Tse MD

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