Sleep problems: Dealing with jet lag

What are the symptoms of jet lag?

Jet lag may make it hard for you to fall asleep, stay asleep, or stay awake during the day. Lack of sleep can make you feel tired or tense and make it hard for you to focus. You may feel weak, or you may lose your appetite. You may not be able to have a bowel movement (constipation), or you may have diarrhea.

The symptoms of jet lag take a few days to go away:¹

• When you fly east, the number of days it takes to recover from jet lag will be about two-thirds the number of time zones you cross. For example, if you cross six time zones, it will take you about 4 days to get back to normal.
• When you fly west, the number of days to recover equals about half the number of time zones. So if you cross six time zones, it will take you 3 days to recover.

Jet lag can happen to anyone. Your age, fitness, health, and how often you fly don't make a difference in whether you get it.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Symptoms of jet lag include:

1. Having a hard time with falling asleep, staying asleep, or staying awake.
2. Feeling tired and tense and not being able to focus.
3. Not feeling like eating.

Continue to Why do you get jet lag?
Return to Sleep problems: Dealing with jet lag

Author:	Jeannette Curtis	Last Updated: January 4, 2010
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Jan Ulfberg, MD, PhD - Sleep Disorders
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