JETLAG

Travelling to a destination where the time difference is greater than three hours? There’s a possibility you will get jet lag. This is because your body clock is designed for a regular rhythm of daylight and darkness. If you fly a long way your body clock is disturbed and can take several days for it to re-adjust.
There are treatments that can help you overcome this re-adjustment period quicker.

How does it work?

A tablet that you would take at night is form of a hormone that is naturally produced by the brain in the evening that tells you to go to bed. Hence taking the tablet would mimic your body and help you sleep at night.

Discover the most effective ways of reducing jet lag

Each one of us react in a different way when travelling to a different time zone. If you are travelling to a destination where the time difference is greater than three hours; there’s a high possibility that you will suffer from jet lag. If you are a frequent flyers, you should learn how your bodies deals with long-haul flights. We provide travel medicine in our clinic that may help you cope with jet lag.
Our expert Travel Health Advisor will guide you to the best actions that can help you overcome this re-adjustment period quicker.

How you get Jet Lag?

According to the NHS, “Jet lag occurs when the body has to adapt to a new light-dark schedule and normal daily routine after crossing several time zones”. Therefore, working against your body clock which is designed for a regular cadence of daylight and darkness. On a long flight your body clock is disturbed and can take several days to re-adjust. It has an impact on people of all ages and its signs and symptoms are indigestion, drowsiness and continuous exhaustions. 

Symptoms of jet lag 

The symptoms of jet lag can vary from person to person.

  • The more time zones you cross on a trip, the greater the severity of jet lag symptoms he severity of jet lag symptoms.
  • Long-haul flight across one or two time zones should cause little jet lag, but there will be general travel fatigue.
  • Most people only experience the symptoms of jet lag after crossing at least three time zones.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms of jet lag can include; indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, feeling disorientated, anxiety, irritability, memory problems, clumsiness, confusion, sweating, muscles soreness and/or irregular periods.

How we can help?

A tablet that you would take at night is form of a hormone that is naturally produced by the brain in the evening that tells you to go to bed. Hence taking the tablet would mimic your body and help you sleep at night.
For more information just walk in our pharmacy, call us on +44 (0)20 8340 4772 or email us at contact@petterpharmacy.com

Did you know that jet lag can be controlled?

  • Before you travel you need to get some sound sleep and on long-haul flights trey get at least 40 minutes of sleep.
  • If possible avoid alcohol pre and during flight as it increases urine output, which, impairs the quality of sleep.
  • Limit the amount of caffeine intake by having small portions every 2 hours, rather than a large cup once a day.
  • Make sure you get as much sleep in as normal in the 24 h after arrival and upon arrival, once you get to your hotel room or sleeping area get an ‘anchor sleep’ for a minimum of 4 hours in the night.
  • If possible, make up the total sleep time by taking naps during the day in response to feelings of sleepiness.
  • Avoid doing too much physical exercise within 2 h of trying to sleep.
  • Short-acting sleeping pills may be helpful but you must adhere to the direction for use from your GP or the pharmacist.