Causes and Remedies for Jet Lag

Navigation

You are here: Free Article Directory » Travel » Causes and Remedies for Jet Lag

by: DianeKelly | Total views: 2 | Word Count: 604 | View PDF | Print View
Share This Article

The processes of all animals and plants follow a 24-hour rhythm called body clock. This is our personal synchronization with the daylight-darkness cycle. When you travel in an airplane crossing time zones, say from New York to Houston, your body clock cannot adjust itself quickly enough. Your will lose sync with the new daylight-darkness cycle of where you left (NY) and does not recover quickly for the place that you are going (Houston). This causes a condition of disorientation called jet lag.

A person experiencing jet lag can feel cranky, mildly depressed, as well as forgetful. The person may find it difficult to concentrate, may suffer a loss of appetite and may suffer from disturbed sleep pattern. The may become dehydrated and get swollen feet.

A long flight to places within the same time zone will not cause jet lag; it may give you cramps, headache and discomfort. A journey from Los Angeles to Tokyo which goes across time zones can cause jet lag, not the journey from Johannesburg to Frankfurt which is within the same time zone. Crossing time zones is the essential condition necessary for being jet lagged.

Of course not everyone gets jet lagged to the same extent. Generally older persons are found to suffer less from jet lag as compared to younger ones. Moreover, it is found that women in the reproductive age group are more susceptible to suffer from jet lag. It depends to a large extent on the personal physiological adjustability of each individual person. People who know they normally get jet lagged can take some precautions to avoid severity of discomfort from jet lag.

Before the airplane ride try to be relaxed and avoid any extra mental stress. Having a good night's sleep before starting on the journey is essential. On the aircraft drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. Do not drink too much alcohol. While in the air walk up and down the aisle a few times. Do a little stretching exercise. If you can manage. To avoid swelling of feet, remove your shoes and stretch your legs and wiggle your toes.

You can find many "anti jet lag" suggestions. Act on them with caution. Do not take sleeping pills to get over jet lag as some people may suggest; it may have rather unpleasant consequences. There are anti jet lag diets on the market. Efficacy apart, it is such a cumbersome remedy that it turns out to be not a very practical solution. An OTC (over the counter) homeopathic drug is available which is said to be effective and being homeopathic medicine it is stated to be free of side effects.

As an anti jet lag drug Melatonin has claimed to be effective. You must take it at specific times for a number of days, starting with a few days prior to going on the journey. Research does not support its anti-jet-lag claims and quite the contrary. It may lead to worsening of the jet lag symptoms. You must adhere to its strict instructions regarding timing are not followed. In fact in UK it is banned.

A jet lagged condition may carry on for many days. Recovery from jet lag at the rate of "one day per time zone" is considered quite reasonable. The easiest methods for rapid recovery are relaxation, good sleep, sensible diet and moderate exercise. No fun at all for a vacation. This is what you have to do at home. Give it go anyway and attempt to have fun. Bon voyage!
Share This Article