Jet lag, also known as jet lag disorder or time zone change syndrome, is a temporary sleep problem that can affect anyone who quickly travels across several time zones. It is a type of circadian rhythm sleep disorder, which occurs when your bodys internal clock, called circadian rhythms, is not synchronized with the local day-night cycle at your destination.
When you travel across multiple time zones, your body's internal clock, which signals when to stay awake and when to sleep, is still synced to your original time zone and has not adjusted to the time zone of your destination. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
- Digestive upsets
- Impaired judgment and decision making
- Memory lapses
- Irritability
- Apathy
In addition to the disruption of circadian rhythms, other factors associated with air travel may contribute to the symptoms of jet lag. These include changes in cabin pressure, high altitudes, and low humidity levels, which can lead to dehydration and further contribute to the symptoms.
Jet lag is a common problem that can affect people of all ages when traveling long distances, typically involving more than two time zone changes, by plane. Most people experience minor symptoms of jet lag, which usually go away on their own within a few days. The duration of jet lag symptoms can vary depending on the person and the details of their trip, but in general, symptoms persist for about 1-1.5 days per time zone crossed.
