Jet Lag (cont.)
What is the role of melatonin in jet lag?
Melatonin is a hormone that plays a key role in body rhythms and
jet lag. After the sun sets, the eyes perceive darkness and alert
the hypothalamus to begin releasing melatonin, which promotes sleep.
Conversely, when the eyes perceive sunlight, they tell the
hypothalamus to withhold melatonin production. However, the
hypothalamus cannot readjust its schedule instantly; it takes several
days.
Does the direction of travel matter?
Yes. Travelers flying north or south in the same time zone
typically experience
the fewest problems because the time of day always remains the same
as in
the place where the flight originated. These travelers may
experience discomfort, but this usually results from confinement
in an airplane for a long time or from differences in climate,
culture, and
diet at the destination location. Time does not play a role.
Travelers flying east, on the other hand, typically experience the most problems because they "lose" time. For example, on an international flight from Washington, D.C., to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a traveler loses eight hours. Meals, sleep, bowel habits, and other daily routines are all pushed ahead eight hours.
Travelers flying west "gain" time and usually have an easier time adjusting than eastward travelers. However, they too experience symptoms of jet lag after landing because they still must adjust to a different schedule.
Do the symptoms of jet lag vary in intensity?
Yes. People flying across only one or two time zones may be able
to adjust
without noticeable effects of the time change. Those flying
across three or more time zones will likely
develop
noticeable symptoms of jet lag. Generally, the intensity of symptoms
varies
in relation to the number of time zones crossed and the direction of
travel.
Next: What are the best ways to cope with jet lag? »
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