Jet lag (syndrome)

See also: Jet lag

The syndrome of the jet lag is generally a particular physical condition which results from a fast voyage through several time zones, in plane. Such a voyage shifts indeed different the internal clocks (circadian Rythme or cycles of the sleep) and the external activity (alternation day/night, activity around us).

The maximum jet lag is twelve hours. Indeed, to cross 14 time zones towards the East amounts (as regards the shift) crossing only 10 of them (= 24 - 14) towards the West.

This Syndrome usually results in a great tiredness, disorders of the Sommeil and a lack of concentration.

the Mélatonine, a hormone produced by the pineal Body, explains these sleep disorders partly. In normal weather, this hormone is secreted the night only (peak with 5 hour S of the morning) and is essential to the phase of sleep. During a brutal jet lag, the rate/rhythm of secretion of the mélatonine spends a few days before being readjusted thus explaining the sleep disorders observed (one feels a great tiredness at the time of the peak of mélatonine of the fictitious night).

It was shown that the catch of mélatonine (as a Médicament) before laying down it during an jet lag supports drowsiness and allows a faster retiming.

the adaptation to the jet lag is easier when one goes towards the Western (one follows the sun and one falls asleep easily after a long day), that when one goes towards the Is, where the disorders of the shift are more important (short day or shortened night).

See too

Chronobiologie

External bond

precise Explanation on the site of the agency of public health of Canada

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