Jet lag, is termed desynchronosis in medical parlance. It results from alterations to the body's
circadian rhythms resulting from rapid long-distance transmeridian (east to
west or west to east) travel on a jet aircraft. It is a physiological condition and has to be
prevented or managed with this in mind.
Transmeridian flights in excess of three time zones can
result in significant circadian rhythm disruption. When flying in a westerly
direction the day is lengthened. When flying east, against the direction of the
sun, the day is shortened.
The traveller’s body
clock will be out of synchronization with the destination time, as it
experiences daylight and darkness contrary to the rhythms to which it has grown
accustomed. The body's natural comfort zone pattern is upset, as the rhythms
that dictate times for eating, sleeping, hormone regulation and body
temperature variations no longer correspond to the environment , nor to each
other. Resetting the circadian clock can be difficult.
The body operates with
many circadian rhythms, such as body temperature regulation, endocrine (gland
and hormone) function, airway function, and kidney (renal) function.
Jet-lag is not
psychological; it is cycle logical. All our internal cycles (temperature,
sleep, cravings for sweets, reactions to medications) are programmable, like
computers. For instance, body temperature slowly rises throughout the day,
drops dramatically around midnight, and begins to rise again before 6 a.m.
Mental alertness and
the propensity to fall asleep are regulated by circadian rhythm. There are two
peak times of day at which a person is most susceptible to falling asleep, 3
a.m. to 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Most people have experienced the urge to
fall asleep in the late afternoon, after eating lunch. It is not necessarily
the food that makes people want to fall asleep at this time, but the time of
day.
All the rhythms
mentioned above occur in humans within a cycle of approximately 24.5 hours.
These natural rhythms occur even in the absence of daylight or darkness.
Studies in which people live without any way of knowing what time of day it is
have shown that these people continue to follow a 24-hour schedule.
That is, they sleep for
about eight hours, and their waking activity levels correlate with those found
for individuals under normal conditions of time and light-dark cycles. It seems
the influence of circadian rhythm is unavoidable.
People naturally
synchronize their internal clocks with day-night cycles, which allows them to
be awake during the day and to sleep during the night. The body regulates this
chiefly through the eyes. Light stimulates nerves in the retina that pass a
signal through a chain of nerves to the brain.
Some of these nerves
feed the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates body temperature,
water and sugar ratios, and fluid secretions and which houses the
suprachiasmatic nucleus, a bundle of nerves that controls the body's circadian
rhythms.
The hypothalamus like a
alarm clock regulates our sleep cycles, as well as many other body processes
such as body temperature, hunger, thirst, blood pressure, and the level of
hormones and glucose in the bloodstream.
A disruption to the
circadian rhythm affects alertness, appetite, and hormone secretion because the
hypothalamus is unable to immediately recover to a change in the environment.
These interactions are responsible for the majority of the symptoms of jet
lag...
When bright light
stimulates the optic nerves, the optic nerves send the signal to the
suprachiasmatic nucleus, which then triggers circadian rhythms, resulting in
the synchronization of the body's 24-hour cycle with the earth's 24 hour cycle.
When the eye of an air traveler perceives dawn or dusk many hours earlier or
later than usual, the hypothalamus may trigger activities that the rest of the
body is not ready for, and jet lag occurs.
Jet-lag affects us
physically, mentally, and emotionally. A physical example is swollen feet and
abdomen distension. . A mental example is disorientation. An emotional one is
anxiety.
There is travel fatigue
as the passenger is sitting in a cramped space, usually sharing elbow room with
strangers with little chance to move
around and the concept of time is disoriented.
Jet lag effects
include confusion, dehydration,
headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, fatigue mild depression,
unsettled feeling , decreased awareness and attention deficit. Meals, sleep,
bowel habits, and other daily routines are all pushed either side..
Eastward travel is
associated with difficulty falling asleep at the destination bedtime and
difficulty arising in the morning. Westward travel is associated with early
evening sleepiness and predawn awakening at the travel destination. Travelers
flying within the same time zone typically experience the fewest problems.
Your body clock
controls your sleeping and waking pattern.
It also affects your hunger, digestion, bowel habits, urine production,
body temperature and blood pressure.
Sunlight is a big
component of your internal body clock.
When the sun goes down, your brain induces melatonin, your
sleep-stimulating hormone. The retina, a
layer at the back of your eyeball, captures light and is used to receiving a
regular amount of sunlight in your local time zone.
Melatonin tablets which are used to manage jet lag , are available
without doctors prescription and selling like hot cakes
The
Pharma lobby tells you that these tablets are safe.
OH YEAH?
First of all, Melatonin is a sleep and body clock regulator – NOT a sleep initiator.
Melatonin works with your biological clock by telling your brain when it is time to sleep. Melatonin does not increase your sleep drive or need for sleep.
Your melatonin levels
can be tested with a blood test, urine test or saliva test. The melatonin is also produced in the retina,
the skin, and the GI tract, but this is not the melatonin what affects your
biological sleep clock.
Melatonin in pill form
does not function like your body’s naturally produced melatonin. It affects the brain in bursts and rapidly
leaves the system, instead of the slow build-up and slow wash-out that your
body’s naturally produced melatonin experiences.
If Melatonin tablets are safe I dare any doctor to prescribe it to a pregnant woman or a woman who
is nursing .
Women who are pregnant, nursing or attempting to become pregnant should
avoid melatonin supplements. Excessive
melatonin use during pregnancy usually lead to developmental disorders in the
baby, and high levels of melatonin may have a contraceptive effect on those
hoping to conceive.
Men using the
supplement may notice a decrease in sperm count, decreased sperm mobility and
increased breast size ( tuft titties ) . Both men and women will experience a decrease
in sex drive. Melatonin supplements may
increase cholesterol .
Patients with type 1 diabetes have reported elevated
blood sugar levels while taking melatonin. Even low doses of melatonin may
reduce glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Arrhythmia ( irregular
heartbeat ) is often associated with regular use of melatonin supplements.
Melatonin supplements have also been linked to
an increased risk of autoimmune disorders such as autoimmune hepatitis, and
even to triggering Crohn's disease ( bowel inflammation ) symptoms. According
to MedlinePlus, users have reported stomach cramping, nausea and vomiting.
Melatonin is a hormone.
It tells your body that it’s nighttime and it’s time to go to bed. It is not an
herb, a vitamin, a medicine or a mineral. Hormones are naturally produced by
your body as you need them. Which means it is very unlikely that someone has a
melatonin deficiency—unless you are trying to beat jet lag with it in a stupid
manner.
While a melatonin supplement could be considered natural, in most
cases, it doesn’t come from the earth. There are exceptions of foods that
contain melatonin, but this is totally a different type of NATURAL melatonin , SANS SIDE EFFECTS than what
is produced in by your pineal gland.
Melatonin can have side
effects. Doses of melatonin (2-3 mg or
higher) have reported side effects of headaches, nausea, next- day grogginess, hormone
fluctuations and nightmares
This means now I must explain Melatonin in greater detail.
The Western world woke to to a gland by the name of Pineal Gland only recently-- after they read the ancient Indian Vedas of 5000 BC.
The Shiva Lingam which produced Melatonin or rather converts Serotonin to Melatonin , is the pineal gland of Shiva.
Like I said before--
Our sleep is regulated
by the production of the hormone melatonin.
The perception of darkness alerts the
hypothalamus to secrete melatonin which promotes sleep and the perception of
light forces the hypothalamus to withhold melatonin.
The hypothalamus cannot
readjust its schedule instantly, when
shifted half way across the globe. It takes several days.
Melatonin is manufactured in the pineal gland
from tryptophan, and its synthesis and release are stimulated by darkness and
suppressed by light. This means, the secretion of melatonin is responsible for
setting our sleep-wake cycle.
The body clock is
adjusted to the solar day by rhythmic cues in the environment, mainly the
light-dark cycle, and the rhythmic secretion of melatonin. The hormone Melatonin
is also produced in the gastrointestinal tract.
Sheep that normally breed only once per year
can be tricked into having two breeding seasons by treatment with melatonin.
You
can trick hens to lay two eggs a day, by putting ON/OFF a bright white light.
Melatonin is a natural
sedative. The brain releases melatonin only during times when the level of
light is low. Melatonin is released during darkness even by animals that are
nocturnal. Melatonin is also a free
radical scavenger and an antioxidant.
The pineal gland is large in children but
shrinks at puberty. It appears to play a
major role in sexual development, hibernation in animals, metabolism and
seasonal breeding. The retina in the eye
transmits information on light exposure to the pineal gland.
The pineal gland uses this information to
coordinate the human biological clock. Melatonin
is secreted by the pineal gland at night to help induce sleep, while light
exposure inhibits melatonin production. During the day, melatonin secretion is
almost zero.
Melatonin is
responsible for metabolism, sexual development and for regulating other
hormones in the body. Pineal function can be affected by environmental stresses
such as abnormal light and dark rhythms, temperature oscillations, radiation,
high altitude and even magnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields
(EMF) suppress the activity of the pineal gland and reduce melatonin
production. EMF activity therefore
disrupts the bodies circadian rhythms.
The pineal gland
calcifies with age and melatonin production correspondingly decreases.
Decline in melatonin is the trigger for the
aging process, for Melatonin is the super oxidant of nature. Serotonin, keeps you happy and in a balanced
mental state of mind. PROZAC raises
serotonin. The pineal gland is a photosensitive organ and thus an important timekeeper
for the human body
Chemically, you'll
notice on a bottle of melatonin supplements that it says
N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine. However,
natural melatonin is made from the brain tissue of cows. So how many vegetarians
know about this?
Remember mad cow
disease a few years back?
Were you warned, by the Pharma industry monopolized by Big Brother ?
That's the risk of taking natural
melatonin. Melatonin safety for
long-term use is dangerous, for frequent flyers . It is, after all, a hormone.
And just like early
studies reported benefits of estrogen use in women, which turned out to be a
complicated mess, there is no way of knowing how long-term use of melatonin
supplements will effect a human being. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine does
not approve of the use of melatonin supplements unless administered under the
direction of a doctor. In Europe,
melatonin supplements are only available by prescription.
Synthesis and release
of melatonin is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light. But even without
visual cues, the level of melatonin in the blood rises and falls on a daily
(circadian) cycle with peak levels occurring in the wee hours of the morning. .
The maximum amount of melatonin released in the bloodstream of the elderly is
only half of that in young adults.
At sunset, the
cessation of light triggers neural signals which stimulate the pineal gland to
begin releasing melatonin. In my home you will NOT see white fluorescent tube lights. Have you ever seen white tube lights in any 5
star hotel-- like in a Mumbai Irani restaurant?
This rise continues for
hours, eventually peaking around 2 a.m. (3 a.m. for the elderly) after which it
steadily declines to minimal levels by morning. The delay in timing and decrease in intensity
of the melatonin pulse is a manifestation of the aging process.
Melatonin secretion
naturally drops off with age. This decrease is so reliable that blood melatonin
levels have been proposed as a measurement of biological age. This age-related
reduction in melatonin levels may partially account for the reason many older
people have difficulty sleeping at night, and for why they are so fatigued
during the day. This is called age-induced "jet-lag." TEE HEEEEE !
In Europe, melatonin at
very high doses has been used as a contraceptive. With circadian enhancers like melatonin, the
timing is critical. When taken in opposition to the body's natural circadian
rhythm, they cause cognitive deficit just like jet-lag does. But when taken in
synchronization with the body's natural circadian rhythms, they enhance mental
performance.
Within the pineal
gland, serotonin is acetylated and then methylated to yield melatonin. Serotonin
works by enhancing the mood, reducing pain and providing energy, and is a
natural stimulant. Serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, meaning the body can
convert serotonin into melatonin, which is then stored in the pineal gland.
Serotonin is a
neurotransmitter whose deficiency is associated with depression. Serotonin is
targeted in the treatment of depression, but is not prescribed in its native
form. Serotonin cannot pass the blood-brain barrier, so serotonin itself does
not enhance mood . Instead, many medications for depression are aimed at
stopping the breakdown of serotonin.
The pineal gland of the
brain sits outside the blood-brain barrier, meaning that melatonin can be used
in its native form. Serotonin is a natural stimulant. Melatonin is a sedative
derived from serotonin.
An inadequate supply or
inefficient use of either neurotransmitter is linked to mental illness.
Depression can result from deficient serotonin or excessive melatonin
production. Too much serotonin or too little melatonin can result in insomnia.
Move around on the
plane on long flights to promote mental and physical acuity, as well as protect
against deep vein thrombosis. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Sleep, if possible, during long flights.
Travelers should eat a bit less
in-flight because the cabin pressure puts an extra strain on the digestive
process. Many airlines have started serving their meals according to the
destination's time zone . Refrain also from
drinking carbonated beverages or eating gas producing foods like beans.
Sleep on board if your
flight lands in the morning and avoid sleeping on board if your flight lands in
the evening When you first arrive, schedule work or other important activity at
a time when you are likely to have maximum energy, (i.e., in the evenings,
after jetting east, or in the mornings, after jetting west)
Avoid situations requiring critical decision making, such
as important meetings, for the first day after arrival.
As a ship-captain this
is impossible most of the time, as after a hectic taking over, the ship has to
be navigated out of port through busy lanes. After 30 years in command , I can vouch this is UNSAFE. All it requires is a hotel stay before going on board.
These problems which affect safety of life has NOT yet been addressed by the Maritime world, which is ruled by jack asses.
Grace and peace!-- trying playing this video below ( 20000 watts ) in a discotheque with BOSE speakers.
The Sanskrit chants are 7000
years old.
Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Guru Devo Maheshwaraha
Guru Saakshat Para Brahma
Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha
Meaning: Guru is
verily the representative of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. He creates, sustains
knowledge and destroys the weeds of ignorance. I salute such a Guru.
Akhanda Mandalaakaaram
Vyaaptam Yenam charaacharam
Tatpadam Darshitam Yena
Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha.
Meaning: Guru can
guide us to the supreme knowledge of THAT which pervades all the living and
non-living beings in the entire Universe (namely Brahman). I salute such a Guru.
Agnyaana Timiraandhasya
Gnyaana Anjana Shalaakayaa
Chakshuhu Unmeelitam Yenam
Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha.
Meaning: A Guru can
save us from the pangs of ignorance (darkness) by applying on us the balm of
knowledge or awareness of the Supreme, I salute such a Guru.
You will notice they are different from the modern BEAT IT, BEAT IT or for the matter BABE BABE BABE
CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL
..
