Sleep Problems: Dealing With Jet Lag

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Introduction

You had been looking forward to your cross-country trip to New York City.

You imagined seeing the skyscrapers, visiting museums, and maybe even going to a Broadway show.

But your bite of the Big Apple hasn't been so good. You can't sleep, you're tired, and your stomach is giving you problems.

You have jet lag.

Key points

• Jet lag happens when you fly across one or more time zones. Most people need to cross three time zones to notice jet lag. The more time zones you cross, the worse jet lag may be.
• Jet lag can happen to anyone. Your age, fitness, health, and how often you fly don't make a difference in whether you get it.
• Jet lag usually is worse when a person flies east rather than west. In other words, it will be worse when a person goes from the United States to Europe than from Europe to the U.S.
• Jet lag makes you feel bad, but it isn't serious. Most people get better 3 to 4 days after their flight.
• The supplement melatonin may help relieve the symptoms of jet lag. Sleeping pills may help too. But both of these also have downsides.

 What are the symptoms of jet lag?

 Why do you get jet lag?

 How can you deal with jet lag?

 Where to go from here

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Last updated:	April 28, 2008
Author:	Paul Lehnert
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Editors:	Katy E. Magee, MA, Michele Cronen