Jet lag

/Jet lag

What is jet lag?

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder. Jet lag usually occurs when your normal sleep pattern is disturbed after flying a long distance, crossing multiple time zone. The more time zones that are crossed in a short period of time the more likely you will be affected by jet lag symptoms.

What are the symptoms of jet lag?

The main symptoms of jet lag are normally related to sleep. They

  •  Poorer concentration
  •  Memory problems
  •  difficulty sleeping at bedtime and waking up in the morning finding it difficult to stay awake during the day tiredness and exhaustion poor sleep quality

Jet lag symptoms could also include the following:

  •  indigestion
  • constipation and/or diarrhoea
  • bloating.

What causes jet lag?

Jet lag disturbs the circadian rhythm. Your body functions (such as sleep/wake cycle) follow a circadian rhythm which is roughly a 24 hours cycle, sometimes known as a ‘body clock’. Your body produces a hormone called melatonin which controls your natural ‘body clock’. When you travel long distances and cross multiple time zones, your body clock becomes out of sync with the time in your new destination. This is when you may experience jet lag as the body tries to re-establish a natural rhythm with the time in your new destination. Sunlight can also influence your ‘body clock’ because it influences the  egulation of melatonin. At night, when there is little light, the body releases more melatonin. During the day, when there is more light, the body does the opposite and releases small amount of melatonin. Melatonin helps promote sleep.

How can acid jet lag be treated?

Over time your body will adapt to the new time zone and deal with jet lag naturally. However some people will find they need help in treating jet lag. Melatonin is available as a prescription medicine under the brand name Circadin 2mg Modified Release Capsules to help regulate your sleep pattern.

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