Symptoms
Possible symptoms of jet lag include:
- Sleep disturbances: drowsiness and fatigue during the day, insomnia at night.
- Digestive disorders
- Malaise, feeling sick
- Irritability, emotional upsets
- Concentration disorders
Causes
The cause of jet lag is a desynchronization of the sleep-wake rhythm during rapid travel across multiple time zones, typically by airplane. The time at the travel destination does not match the rhythm of the internal clock. The body wants to sleep during the day and be awake at night. It takes several days for the organism to adjust. Risk factors include:
- Travel east, so for example, from Zurich to Australia or from New York to Paris.
- Number of time zones crossed
- Age
- Frequent air travel
- Sleep disturbances during travel
Diagnosis
The diagnosis can be made in medical treatment based on the patient’s history and with a questionnaire. It must be noted that the normal stress of travel can also lead to similar complaints.
Nonpharmacologic treatment
The discomfort will pass on its own after a few days, after the internal clock has synchronized with the new environment. Various recommendations exist to support the adjustment and alleviate symptoms:
- Light specifically seek (light therapy, sunlight) or avoid.
- Early arrival
- For short trips (1-2 days) – if possible – maintain the sleep-wake rhythm from home.
- Rearrange the internal clock already before departure.
- Good sleep hygiene
Drug treatment
The epiphyseal hormone melatonin is well effective against the symptoms of jet lag when taken at a dosage of 0.5 to 5 mg in the evening before bedtime. For westbound flights, it can also be administered later in the night. However, melatonin has not yet been approved for this application. As an alternative to melatonin, melatonin receptor agonists such as tasimelteon, which bind to MT receptors like melatonin, could be used. However, these drugs are also not approved for this indication. Stimulants such as caffeine can be taken during the day to stay awake. Sleep aids, such as valerian, antihistamines, Z-drugs, and benzodiazepines, can be taken before bedtime to promote sleep. However, some sleep aids can be addictive and cause adverse effects.
