Suffer No Jet Lag

Physiological & biochemical processes of all living beings follow a 24-hour periodicity of daylight and darkness and this rhythmic functioning of the body is generally known as body clock. Traveling across a number of time zones in a short period of time disturbs the synchronism of the body clock with the changing daylight-darkness schedules and the body processes get disoriented. This condition is commonly called the jetlag.

Generally long distance air travelers face this situation and hence this condition is known as jetlag. Apart from travelers some other people such as those working night shifts for long periods at a stretch or working long hours for a number of days may also be affected by jetlag. Their working conditions create an environment which has different rhythm of body activities effectively creating a different daylight-darkness cycle.

Loss of appetite, mild depression, loss of inability to concentrate, irritability, being confused or forgetful are common symptoms of being jet lagged. The affected persons may also suffer from swollen or uncomfortable feet, dehydration, disturbed sleep pattern, etc.

In case of travel it is the time zones crossed and not the length of the flight-time that matters. For instance Johannesburg to Frankfurt journey which is in the same time zone (since they lie along the same meridian) would cause no jet lag. It may cause tiredness or headache due to the length of time spent sitting up or due to low cabin pressure but no jet lag.

On the other hand a journey between New York and Los Angeles may cause jetlag. Near north and south poles, where depending on the time of year, there are extreme periods of daylight or darkness; jetlag effects can be quite severe in these areas.

Here are a few tips to avoid being severely jet lagged. A good night’s sleep prior to a journey, drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluid and having only light meals in the aircraft help in reducing the jetlag effects. Some exercise like walking up and down the aisle, stretching, etc. will help avoid discomfort. Removing shoes and stretching your legs helps in avoiding swelling of the feet.

Some people believe that some drugs like Melatonin can help in avoiding the jetlag. Melatonin is required to be taken for a few days starting before the journey and continuing for a few days after it. It is required to be taken at specific times. The anti jetlag claim of the drug is not really supported by research and on the contrary, in some cases, it may lead to worsening the effect of jetlag. In UK has been banned.

Some people mistakenly believe that sleeping pills help you get over the jetlag; you are strongly advised against it as it can cause other complications. There are anti-jetlag diets. But following the diet for a number of days is a cumbersome process and not very practical solution. “No Jet Lag”, a homeopathic drug, is said to be effective and being homeopathic medicine it is stated to be free of side effects.