Last reviewed: 21 Oct 2024
Last updated: 21 May 2024
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- history of jet travel across at least 2 time zones
- difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep
- reduction of total sleep time
- daytime sleepiness
- reduced daytime alertness
Full details
Other diagnostic factors
- nausea, abdominal distension, constipation
- general malaise
- muscle cramps
Full details
Risk factors
- multiple time zones crossed and rapidity of travel
- sleep deprivation
- individual susceptibility to time zone shifts
- excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption
- stress
Full details
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- no initial test
Full details
Treatment algorithm
ACUTE
short stay in the new time zone (≤2 days)
long stay in new time zone (>2 days)
Contributors
Authors
Ashish Adlakha, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor
Neurology and Sleep Medicine
UConn School of Medicine
VA Connecticut Healthcare
West Haven
CT
Disclosures
AA declares that he has no competing interests.
Acknowledgements
Dr Ashish Adlakha would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Sudhansu Chokroverty, a previous contributor to this topic.
Disclosures
SC declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
David N. Neubauer, MD
Associate Director
Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
DNN has received consulting fees and honoraria for speaking programs from Sanofi-Aventis and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. These companies manufacture medications mentioned in this topic.
Differentials
- Travel-related fatigue
- Short-term insomnia disorder
- Chronic insomnia disorder
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- International classification of sleep disorders, 3rd edition, text revision (ICSD-3-TR)
- CDC Yellow Book: health information for international travel - jet lag
More GuidelinesPatient information
Jet lag
More Patient information
Log in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer