Overview:
Jet lag disorder is a temporary sleep disturbance that occurs when a person’s internal body clock (circadian rhythm) is out of sync with the time zone they’ve traveled to. It is common among frequent flyers, especially after long-haul flights crossing multiple time zones.

Causes:

• Rapid travel across three or more time zones
• Disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm
• Sleep deprivation during travel
• Irregular meal and activity schedules
• Lack of natural light exposure in the new time zone

Symptoms:

• Insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
• Fatigue and low energy
• Digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea)
• Mood changes such as irritability or mild depression
• General feeling of being unwell

Diagnosis:

• Based on travel history and symptom patterns
• Clinical evaluation to rule out other sleep disorders
• Sleep diary or wearable sleep trackers (optional)

Treatment and Management:

• Gradually adjust sleep schedule before traveling
• Seek exposure to natural light upon arrival
• Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol or caffeine close to bedtime
• Use melatonin supplements (under medical guidance)
• Consider short-term use of sleep aids during travel (if prescribed)
• Maintain healthy sleep hygiene (cool, dark, quiet sleep environment)

Prognosis:
Jet lag is temporary and usually resolves within a few days. Recovery typically takes about one day per time zone crossed, with eastward travel being harder to adjust to than westward.