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Definition of Jet Lag

By Brandon Peters, M.D., About.com

Created: March 26, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: This temporary condition is caused by rapid travel across time zones -- as may occur with jet trips -- and may leave an individual experiencing fatigue, insomnia, nausea, or other symptoms as a result of the internal circadian rhythm, or body clock, being misaligned with local time.
Examples: I used to suffer jet lag until I began using melatonin to help adjust my body clock before the trip.
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