1. Where Did the Night Go? Jet Leg and Sleep Disturbances
Travel is tiring. A day spent in the airport, on the plane, collecting luggage and negotiating unfamiliar territory is sure to wipe you out. When you add new time zones to the mix, it's no wonder your body gets completely confused. Is it Tuesday or is it Wednesday? Is it morning or the middle of the night? You might sleep for 12 hours and still feel completely exhausted. Or maybe, you haven't slept in over 24 hours but still are having trouble falling asleep.
Disturbed sleep is one of the most common symptoms of jetlag which results when your body is unable to adjust to a new time zone quickly. Your body struggles to adapt to the new schedule but frequently experiences difficulty as your internal clock goes haywire. Some people notice extreme fatigue. Others find they are suddenly dealing with insomnia. You may wake up too early or sleep in longer than you wanted to. These are all normal symptoms of jetlag and will gradually go away as your body clock resets itself.
2. Is This Really a Vacation? Mood Changes and Irritability
It can be extremely frustrating to arrive at your dream destination too tired and irritable to enjoy your vacation. Unfortunately, many people experience more than just poor sleep as a result of jetlag. Jetlag can also cause mood changes, irritability, headaches and difficulty concentrating. Some people suffer from impaired judgment or apathy. Although these symptoms are temporary, they can certainly make your vacation less enjoyable. If you are traveling on business, these symptoms can affect your ability to conduct business properly and can prevent you from making your best impression.
3. Jetlag and Your Health
For most people, jetlag is an inconvenience mostly affecting sleep and mood. However, having your body's natural rhythms disrupted can lead to physical symptoms as well. Women who are frequent flyers often report that their menstrual cycles change. Stomach problems such as constipation or diarrhea are very common. You might experience muscle soreness or mild dehydration.
Occasionally, people with pre-existing health conditions find that their symptoms become worse as a result of jetlag. If you have peptic ulcer disease, for example, you might notice a flare-up while traveling. This is because your stomach releases acid when it thinks it is mealtime. When your eating schedule differs from what your brain thinks it should be, the acid is released into an empty stomach, causing the acid to become even more corrosive. You should also exercise caution if you take insulin for diabetes. Jetlag can cause disruptions to your insulin schedule, and these changes need to be discussed with your doctor so that you can adjust your medication schedule accordingly.
