Jet Lag – As if the 18-Hour Trip Was not Bad Enough
Posted on July 15, 2008
By Guest Blogger John Gobbels, Medjet VP/COO
Each year millions of travelers take long journeys over one or more continents. Traveling across these multiple time zones, produce a myriad of symptoms known as Jet Lag. We’ve all had the fatigue upon arrival at our new destination, but almost as problematic are a number of associated symptoms. These include reduced alertness, nighttime insomnia, depression, and reduced cognitive skills, all which are closely affected by both the length and direction of travel. The most important Jet Lag symptoms are caused by disruptions to the body’s sleep/wake cycle. It has been suggested that dysregulation of melatonin secretion and occurrence of circadian rhythm disturbances may be the link which underlie Jet Lag.
Melatonin (a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain) acts to help reset the disturbed circadian rhythms and promotes sleep in Jet Lag and other circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Various aspects of its use for sleep disturbances are being increasingly investigated. It should be noted that Melatonin has both hypnotic and chronobiotic (the ability to re-train the sleep cycle) features, which have been shown to be of benefit not only for a rapid resynchronization of desynchronized circadian rhythms but also promoting sleep in intercontinental jet travelers.
A variety of non-pharmacologic therapies have also been used to attenuate the symptoms of Jet Lag. In principle, efforts to adjust light exposure, activity, and meal times to the new schedule as soon as possible after arrival promote more rapid resetting of the internal clock.
The Internet has many research based articles on the use of melatonin for Jet Lag as well as articles that should be read with caution. Always consult your physician before initiating a medication regime, even with readily available over the counter medications.
Some research based articles can be found here:
References:
Travel Medicine, Volume 6, January-March 2008
Jet Lag: Therapeutic use of Melatonin and Possible application of Melatonin analogs www.cdc.gov
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