Travel Today

The jet lag is a syndrome caused by a mixture of fatigue and other symptoms caused by crossing different time zones on a long transmeridian (east–west or west–east) trips in a relatively short period of time.

Physically, your body is accustomed to be active in the sunlight and to rest during the night. When the body is exposed to sunlight, its radiation triggers melanin and other natural body processes, according to the cycle of day and night (approximately 24 hours).

This process involves the heart rate, and when a person spends time in different time zones a distortion in heart rate and other physical disorders occur that affect body temperature, hormones, digestion, stress and even brain state.

Usually it happens when a person travels by plane for many hours, reaching out to other time zones, preventing the normal cycle to complete causing disturbances of heart rhythm.

Symptoms of jet lag are the physical fatigue, digestive problems like vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, confusion in decision-making, poor memory, weakness, irritability and apathy, among others.

To avoid jet lag, you should sleep well before travel, avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, drink lots of water, eat often and in small quantities, dress comfortably, and use sunglasses to protect eyes.

If possible, you should sleep on the plane using cover for your eyes and ear plugs to rest in accordance with the normal hours of sleep.