Jet Lag

Jet lag is a complex condition:

• Jetlag occurs when travel by jet airplane quickly puts a person in another time zone. In this new location the person must sleep and wake at times that are misaligned with his or her own body clock

• The severity of the problem increases with the number of time zones that are crossed

• Jetlag can affect anyone who travels by jet but the symptoms may last longer in people of middle age and older and those in poor health

• Jetlag may last longer and be more severe when traveling in an eastward direction

• There appears to be no difference in the amount of jet lag experienced in homeward versus outward directions

The adjustment process of the circadian system is slow for jet lag, averaging 60 minutes of phase adjustment per day after a phase-advance shift [eastbound flight] and 90 minutes per day after a phase-delay shift [westbound flight], symptoms can last for days after the flight. West-to-east trips may require 1 day of recovery for each time zone crossed. East-to-west journeys may require 1 day of recovery for each one and a half time-zones crossed. For example, when you cross 6 time zones flying east, it might take 6 days to recover, but when you fly west, it may take no more than 4 days for your body to fully catch up.

The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) has classified jet lag as a sleep disorder

Each circadian rhythm sleep disorder involves one of these two problems:

• The timing of sleep and wakefulness is misaligned with the internal circadian clock.

• The timing of sleep and wakefulness is misaligned with the time of day when most  people sleep and are awake.

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders all involve a problem in the timing of when a person sleeps and is awake. The human body has a master circadian clock in a control center of the brain known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This internal clock regulates the timing of such body rhythms as temperature and hormone levels. The primary circadian rhythm that this body clock controls is the sleep-wake cycle. The circadian clock functions in a cycle that lasts a little longer than 24 hours.

The circadian clock is “set” primarily by visual cues of light and darkness that are communicated along a pathway from the eyes to the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This keeps the clock synchronized to the 24-hour day. Other time cues, know as zeitgebers, also can influence the clock’s timing. These cues include meal and exercise schedules. Circadian rhythms and their sensitivity to time cues may change as a person ages.

Factors to consider

Pre flight stress

Trip preparation 
     Running around wrapping up loose ends before the trip
       Stress and tiredness from last minute:          
          Shopping
          Packing
          Working late

Flight Day

Taking a long flight is a marathon; most people are not in shape for it.

Pre flight health
Travel to the airport & traffic
Airport parking
Dealing with luggage   
Shuttles
Check in lines
Security lines & clearing security including repacking
Long walks & running through terminals
Children
Hunger
Connecting flights 

On the Flight

Alcohol
Coffee
Caffeine
Energy drinks
Soda
Airplane food/snacks
Diet - lack of nutritious food

Dehydration
Lack of sleep
Time zones
Light & darkness
Dryness in cabin
Lack of fresh air
Lack of exercise
Confinement
Feeling uncomfortable

Jet lag can cause

Fatigue
Insomnia
Sleepiness
Stress
Red eyes
Difficulty concentrating
Headaches
Stomach problems
Muscle soreness
Moodiness
Irritability

Additionally flying on a jet can cause

Motion sickness
Deep-vein thrombosis - DVT
Dry skin

Dealing with jet lag

Modern jet travel is truly amazing, when the jet plane you board arrives at its destination, it can be another time, another day and even another season but, there is a cost; you may arrive with jet lag.

There are a number of techniques used to prevent and treat jet lag, many of these jet lag remedies are complicated and time consuming both in advance and after the flight and some are expensive.

A simple plan for jet lag is JetZone®, a homeopathic combination jet lag remedy which is free from side effects. JetZone homeopathic tablets are designed to help you reduce jet lag by helping manage your jetlag in flight so you body does not have to take the time out to recover, which is what causes jet lag.

Some passengers try using sleeping pills to counter jet lag but sleeping pills are not safe for passengers to use as they may jeopardize their security and perhaps the security of others while being in comatose or sleepy state on a plane, in an around airports and beyond.

Some of the methods used for jet lag management can cause even more dehydration than naturally exists.

Melatonin was the all the buzz in the mid 1990s as a cure all for a lot of conditions including jetlag but, no one knows the long term effects of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin has side effects, can induce nightmares, cause a hangover of grogginess and in a study, that was done on 257 Norweigen doctors flying internationally, it has been proven that melatonin does not help with jet lag. Researchers at The University of Alberta in Canada reviewed 25 different studies which led researchers to conclude, there is no evidence that melatonin is effective in treating jet lag.

JetZone® homeopathic jet lag remedy addresses jet lag issues to help manage your jet lag in-flight safely without side effects.

The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 2007 ICD-9-CM
American Academy of Sleep Medicine  CRSD Fact sheet 2006
American Academy of Sleep Medicine  International Classification of Sleep Disorders Revisited 2001

More about jet lag:

Jet Lag Disorder  - MayoClinic.com
Jet lag - CDC Travelers' Health
Jet lag - Wikipedia