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Jet Lag

Sahil Mullick, FAAFP, MD and Renuka Reddy Katta, M.D. Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Jet lag is a sleep disorder classified within the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD)-3 by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

  • It is caused by a mismatch...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Symptoms of jet lag usually occur within 1–2 days after crossing 3 or more time zones, and these are similar to those of other sleep disorders: insomnia, daytime sleepiness, GI distur...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Optimal diet, hydration, and rest are key steps in mitigating nonspecific symptoms of travel fatigue in the first 1 to 2 days (3)[C].

  • A comprehensive approach can be taken in...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Symptoms resolve once circadian rhythm realignment has been achieved. 

DIET

  • Dehydration and alcohol use may exacerbate symptoms.

  • Alignment of meal times with the new...

REFERENCES

1
Waterhouse  J, Reilly  T, Atkinson  G, et al. Jet lag: trends and coping strategies. Lancet.  2007;369(9567):1117–1129. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Arendt J. Approaches to the pharmacological management of jet lag. Drugs. 2018;78(14):1419–1431.

  • Freedman  D, Chen  L, Kozarsky  P. Me...

CODES

ICD10

G47.25 Circadian rhythm sleep disorder, jet lag type 

SNOMED

387604006 Jet lag 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Jet lag is associated with transmeridian travel and is more pronounced in eastward travel.

  • Circadian realignment takes 2 days for every 3 time zones crossed.

  • Pre-, in-, and post-flight c...

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