Treatment

Jet lag is generally temporary and usually doesn't need treatment. Symptoms often improve within a few days, though they sometimes last longer.

However, if you're a frequent traveler continually bothered by jet lag, your doctor may prescribe light therapy or medications.

Light therapy

Your body's internal clock is influenced by exposure to sunlight, among other factors. When you travel across time zones, your body must adjust to a new daylight schedule and reset, allowing you to fall asleep and be awake at the appropriate times.

Your doctor may recommend light therapy. This involves exposure to an artificial bright light or lamp that simulates sunlight for a specific and regular amount of time when you're meant to be awake. Light therapy comes in a variety of forms, including a light box that sits on a table, a desk lamp or a light visor that you wear on your head.

Light therapy may be useful, for example, if you're a business traveler and are often away from natural sunlight during the day in a new time zone.

Medications

• Nonbenzodiazepines, such as zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta)
• Benzodiazepines, such as temazepam (Restoril) and midazolam (Nayzilam)

These medications — sometimes called sleeping pills — may help you sleep during your flight and for several nights afterward. Side effects are uncommon, but may include nausea, vomiting, amnesia, sleepwalking, confusion and morning sleepiness.

Although these medications appear to help sleep duration and quality, they may not lessen daytime symptoms of jet lag. These medications are usually only recommended for people who haven't been helped by other treatments.