Jet lag causes extreme tiredness and confusion after a long haul flight. The body has a natural 24 hour clock (known as the circadian rhythm) which controls when a person eats, sleeps, their blood pressure and even their bowel movements. Body clocks are set to the time zone that a person lives in however if someone changes time zones it can disrupt the functions of the body for example when they feel tired or hungry. The more time zones that are crossed the more severe the symptoms.

Jet lag is not serious and symptoms usually pass within a few days. There are no OTC treatments available to treat jet leg however there are a number of things that can be recommended to minimise effects:-

• Ensure you are well hydrated before the flight, drink plenty during the flight (not alcohol or caffeine) and try to rest during the flight.
• Alter the body clock by eating and sleeping at the correct times for the time zone you are in
• On arrival do not try to catch-up on sleep by napping, even if you are tired stay awake until it is time to go to bed
• Expose yourself to natural light as often as possible as this will help the body to adjust
• Avoid taking sleeping tablets as they can cause side effects and may be habit forming

If someone takes regular medication including the oral contraceptive then refer them to the pharmacist for advice on when to take their medication. There are implications of taking certain medications at the wrong time of day or missing medication by crossing time zones.