Many of people who travel a lot suffer from jet lag. Most doctors refer to this disorder as desynchronosis. Desynchronosis’ definition through wikipedia is: “a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body’s circadian rhythms.” Thus, jet lag is classified as a circadian rhythm sleep disorder.
Symptoms of jet lag typically include headaches, fatigue, disorientation, and grogginess. It can also cause mild depression and irritability. Many who suffer from jet lag may have insomnia and irregular sleep patterns. Sometimes the sufferer may also get constipated or have diarrhea. Jet lag symptoms may last a few days. As a general rule of thumb, it takes one day per time zone crossed to recover.
There are various treatments and remedies that can be tried to help reduce the symptoms of desynchronosis. Gradually adjusting your sleep schedule over the course of several days while maintaining seven to eight hours of sleep will help reduce the likelihood of fatigue and depression. Melatonin is a hormone found in the body already so it is recommended that .3-.5 milligrams of the supplement to be taken on the first day of traveling to reduce symptoms. You could also try light therapy where you would be exposed to certain amounts of light at certain times of day to help reduce the amount of time it takes to adjust to the new time zone.
With the amount of travel that takes place these days, there are a multitude of products out to help with flight comfort. There are nasal sprays specifically made for people flying to help reduce nasal dryness and improve overall health. Airplane air filters to help reduce the amount of bacteria, viruses and allergens that you breathe in as well. Herbal combinations are used to help reduce your chances of getting sick and there are ones made specifically for people who will be flying regularly.
There are seat pads made from various materials that are made to fit perfectly on airplane chairs to help make them more comfortable for you. They make various types of pillows to help support your neck for long flights so you do not get all cramped up and sore. Also, when you are traveling a lot through various time zones, having a pair of silk eyeshades really helps when you are trying to sleep. Pair the eyeshades with a nice, supportive pillow and you will sleep much better than you would have thought you could on a plane.