Jet Lag
Jet lag can take its toll on an individual if not handled correctly. It can be life-threatening if prolonged.
When traveling across multiple time zones, the body clock will go out of synchronization with the destination time. Hence, the body’s natural pattern is upset, as the rhythms that dictate times for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation and body temperature variations no longer correspond to the environment. This is extremely common in frequent travelers, and could result in a loss of productivity or even dangerous episodes of microsleep.
The speed at which the body adjusts to the new schedule depends on the individual; some people may require several days to adjust to a new time zone, while others experience little disruption.
Jetlag is caused primarily by east-west (trans-meridian) travel. A ten-hour flight from Europe to southern Africa does not cause jet lag, as travel is primarily north-south. A five hour flight from the west to the east coast of the United States may well result in jet lag.
The symptoms and severity of the jetlag are varied, and may depend on one or more of the following reasons.
* Digestive problems
* Headache
* Fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, temporary insomnia
* Disorientation, grogginess, irritability
* Mild depression
Other symptoms which are mistaken for or may attribute to jet lag, such as nausea, ear aches and swollen feet, are caused by the mode of travel, rather than crossing of multiple time zones.
Remedies
There is no one fixed remedy for jetlag, as the symptoms and severity vary greatly amongst individuals. Moreover, many already of pre-existing conditions (such as chronic insomnia, sleep apnea and heavy snoring) which might worsen the effects of jetlag Gradual adjustment over the course of several days of the onset of sleep while maintaining its regular length of 7–8 hours can reduce fatigue and prevent depression.
However, as you try to reset your circadian rhythm and get your biological clock re-adjusted, it helps to get sunlight at the intended times you wish to stay awake. Stick to a fix sleep schedule and wake up with the sun to tell your body when you would like it to “wake up”. All these tips can be found in the Sleep – Do’s and Don’ts section.
