Melatonin and Jet Lag Syndrome - How Does Jet Lag Happen and What Does Melatonin Do?

At any given time, there are millions of people all over the world who are suffering from the effects of jet lag syndrome. But what exactly is it? Why does it happen and is there any way of preventing it? Jet lag syndrome is basically a disturbance of a person's body clock due to traveling across different time zones. It frequently happens on long international flights that cross the International Date Line. Oftentimes, it causes disruptions in a person's sleeping schedule, appetite and body temperature. Our bodies naturally produce melatonin and when we suffer with jet-lag, we are out of sync with our body's production of this hormone. The problem can be addressed with melatonin supplements. When your body needs to relax at the right time in the new time zone, you can take a melatonin supplement, to help reset your body clock.

How Does Jet Lag Happen?

When you follow a relatively regular schedule day in and day out, your body gets used to this routine and your body's internal clock is synchronized with this routine as well. When you suddenly find yourself in a different time zone that is off by several hours or even a day from your usual schedule, your body may have a hard time adjusting to the new schedule. This is precisely what jet lag syndrome is all about.

For most people, it may take a couple of days to a week to get used to the new patterns. In the meantime, you might find yourself unable to fall asleep all night and getting hungry at odd hours of the day. However, your body will eventually adjust as there have been no reported cases of people being completely unable to recover from this sleeping problem.

What Are The Common Symptoms?

As mentioned earlier, jet lag syndrome is most commonly manifested by irregular sleeping patterns, fluctuating appetite and changes in body temperature. In addition, jet lag may also result in irritability, dizziness, headaches, nausea, sinus problems and temporary depression. At worst, these symptoms may be highly inconvenient and uncomfortable but they usually go away after a brief period of adjustment.

Preventing Jet Lag?

A few years ago, people generally believed that jet lag syndrome is a natural part of traveling that you just have to deal with. But in recent years, certain treatments have been developed to not only manage the symptoms but to actually prevent the phenomenon from happening in the first place. Melatonin, a natural substance that induces healthy sleep will help you sleep well and wake up feeling refreshed and without a single indication of jet lag. It also helps night shift workers, who face the same sleeping disruptions.

Other natural ways of minimizing the after-effects include eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and making sure you begin having regular sleep patterns. Experts also recommend using natural sun exposure to reset your body clock to its new schedule.

Charles Moore provides information and resources on many sleep problems and treatments. Melatrol with melatonin for jet lag syndrome is a natural sleep aid. Visit 'Sleep Disorders' http://apneasleepdisorders.com/

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