(February 5, 2010 - Insidermedicine)

As traveling across time zones has become a commonplace occurrence worldwide, the problem of jet lag is highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here are some tips to minimize jet lag when you travel:

•    Make sure you get enough sleep before you travel

•    Opt for the most comfortable form of travel that is convenient and affordable

•    Drink plenty of water while in flight to stay hydrated

A sleep expert from the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland defines get lag as a sleep disorder that occurs as a result of crossing time zones too quickly for your body to adjust its sleep/wake cycle. While the primary symptoms are insomnia and daytime sleepiness, it can also cause depressed mood, impaired physical and intellectual functioning, and even digestive disturbance.

There are three categories of treatment for jet lag. The first involves resetting the sleep/wake cycle, which can be done by taking supplements of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin before bed and by exposing yourself to bright light at strategic times during the day. The second strategy involves rescheduling yourself in advance of travel by slowly adjusting your sleeping and waking closer to the one you’ll be following when you reach your destination. The third strategy is drug therapy and includes using mild sedatives to help you sleep and mild stimulants, such as caffeine, to keep you awake.

Today’s research highlights the problem of jet lag and provides some practical solutions for managing it. If you have problems with jet lag, talk to your healthcare provider about strategies that might work best for you.
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