Overview
Your body clock stays on home time for a while after travel.
Light is the strongest signal to reset it.
Symptoms
Common signs:
- Jet lag after flying across time zones
- Trouble sleeping
- Tiredness
Less common
- Upset stomach
- Poor focus
When to get medical care
Call 911Chest pain or trouble breathing after a long flight.
Get care todayA swollen, painful leg after a long flight (possible blood clot).
See a doctor soonSleep trouble that lasts more than 2 weeks.
Causes
Crossing time zones faster than the body clock can adjust.
Does it spread or run in families?
- It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
Who is more likely to get it
- Older age
- Flying east
Possible complications
- Blood clot in the leg: From long flights
Diagnosis
No tests are needed.
Treatment
Help your body clock adjust.
Self-care
- Get morning light after flying east, evening light after flying west
- Switch to local meal and sleep times
- Stay hydrated and limit alcohol
- Nap no more than 20 to 30 minutes
Medicines
Medicines that may help:
| Medicine | Helps with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Melatonin | Shifting sleep timing | Ask before using with other medicines. |
OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.
Prevention
To prevent it:
- Shift sleep times before you go
- Get sunlight at your destination
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
Back to school, work, or sports
- Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
Outlook
Jet lag passes in days.
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-12.