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Jet Lag Guide
Jet Lag And Sleeping Pills
The first port of call for many people with sleeping problems is often the bottle of sleeping pills and, while these can be very useful in certain circumstances, their use is not generally advised.
The major problem with sleeping pills is that they are designed for short-term use to meet specific sleeping difficulties (for example, sleeping problems resulting from the stress of loosing a loved one) and they do this by inducing a 'false' state of sleep.
In the case of finding a jet lag remedy you need to return your body to its normal sleeping pattern as quickly and effortlessly as possible and, rather as in the example given earlier of the business traveler and his afternoon nap, using sleeping pills will give you temporary relief, but will ultimately prolong your recovery.
This said, if you really are 'climbing the walls' and feel that you do need this temporary relief, then here are a few guidelines to follow:
- Do not take barbiturate or benzodiazepine sleeping pills, but use only the newer short life
non-benzodiazepine tablets, such as Ambien™ or Sonata™.
- Use sleeping pills in as low a dose as possible and for as short a time as possible (one or two nights and an absolute maximum of a week).
- Use sleeping pills only once you arrive at your destination and not during your flight.
- Don't mix the use of sleeping pills with alcohol.
Next >>> Melatonin
The information contained here should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider.
The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and in no way should be considered as an offering of medical advice.
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