Essay Fix

ENGL 1101-0999

11/8/2020

Causes and Effects of Jet Lag

The term ‘jet lag’ emerged in the 1960s, when distant air travel became increasingly popular. The name appeared in a publication in the Los Angeles Times, whose author wrote, “If you are going to be a member of the Jet Set and Fly off to Katmandu for coffee with King Mahendra, you can count on contracting Jet Lag, a debility not unmaking to hangover” (Arendt 1). The Los Angeles Times’ description of jet lag is not far from accurate. Those who have experienced the phenomenon may readily appreciate that the attendant headaches and irritability indeed count as part of the classic hangover symptoms. However, departing from the lay description, the more proper scientific perspective construes jet lag as a psychological condition characterized by disruptions in the natural circadian rhythm that cause the person experiencing it to be out-of-sync with their social or employment environment (Arendt 1). << unclear here where the quotation begins and ends. There is also very little of your own text] A literature review shows that fast travel across at least two time zones or frequent shifts in the dark-light cycle causes jet lag, resulting in sleep disorders, irritability, and gastrointestinal problems in the long term.

Sleep disorder is the main complaint among jet-lagged travelers and people who change work shifts frequently. Arendt (2) observers that jet-lagged travelers often report recurrent disruptions in their sleep patterns characterized by excessive sleepiness during daytime or insomnia during the night. Travelers moving eastwards are more likely to have trouble sleeping, whereas those traveling westwards find it challenging to wake up early and stay alert during the day. Such disruptions have adverse effects on the sleep-wake schedules of those affected as they adjust to the new environment. The disturbance in the individual’s ideal sleep patterns may also harm the occupational, social, and other functioning (Arendt 2). << unclear here whether the text in this section is paraphrased or quoted. The source text also takes up far too much space in the paragraph – only one sentence here is your original sentence.

            Jetlag also causes irritability in the person who experiences the phenomenon. Studies investigating the consequences of the disruption of the circadian rhythm have shown that changes to the body’s natural cycle desynchronize cortisol and melatonin secretions. For example, Kim et al. (1) contend that such disruptions reverse the two stress hormones’ rhythmic releases. The body releases Cortisol in pulses throughout a twenty-four period, whereas melatonin levels peak during the night. The excessive release of these hormones because of disruptions in the sleep cycle causes increased sympathetic nerve system (SNS) activity. The increased activity effectively stresses the jetlagged individual and renders them more prone to irritable behavior (Kim et al. 4). The findings above indeed make apparent the adverse effects of jetlag on an individual’s disposition. << unclear here whether the text in this section is paraphrased or quoted. The source text also takes up far too much space in the paragraph – it is unclear what text is original to you. Please address the issue throughout this entire document before resubmitting. Papers with source information that is not correctly and fully cited will not pass, and a process of reporting this to college administration would then begin. Please do your best to avoid this.

Finally, studies point to an association between jetlag and the development of gastrointestinal problems in the long-term. Research findings on the correlation between discrepancies in the endogenous circadian rhythm and sleep times demonstrate the adverse effects of jetlag on gastrointestinal functioning. Studies show that workers who exhibit habitual variations between their work schedules and sleeping time are likely to develop gastrointestinal issues such as insulin resistance, adiposity, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (Chakradeo et al. 2). The study contends that imbalances between work and sleep periods preclude accumulated sleep deprivation, which disrupts the circadian rhythm and contributes to metabolic risks. In some severe cases, such metabolic risks might result in diabetes.

In conclusion, jet lag is a phenomenon that arises with disruption in the circadian rhythm when an individual crosses times zones too fast. It results in sleep disorders that most adversely affect eastbound travelers. The affected are likely to experience irritability due to disruptions in the cyclic release of stress hormones that could affect their performance in the short term. In the long term, similar disruptions may accelerate gastrointestinal problems that could even culminate with diabetes.

Works cited

Arendt, Josephine. “Approaches to the pharmacological management of jet lag.” Drugs 78.14 (2018): 1-13.

Chakradeo, Prachi S., et al. “Chronotype, social jet lag, sleep debt and food timing in inflammatory bowel disease.” Sleep Medicine 52 (2018): 1-9.

Kim, Tae Won, Jong-Hyun Jeong, and Seung-Chul Hong. “The impact of sleep and circadian disturbance on hormones and metabolism.” International journal of endocrinology 2015 (2015): 1-10.

Causes and Effects of Jet Lag: An Outline

1. Thesis: A literature review shows that fast travel across at least two time zones or frequent shifts in the dark-light cycle causes jet lag, resulting in sleep disorders, irritability, and gastrointestinal problems in the long term.
2. Body

• Sleep disorder is the main complaint among jet-lagged travelers and sleep is a major effect of jet lag. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40265-018-0973-8 )
• Disruptions include excessive sleepiness and insomnia
• Eastbound travelers more likely to experience insomnia, westbound travelers likely to experience sleepiness
• Disruptions affect sleep-wake schedules and social and occupational functioning
• Jetlag causes irritability (https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije/2015/591729)
• Disrupted circadian rhythms desynchronize cortisol and melatonin secretions
• Such disruptions reverse the two stress hormones’ rhythmic releases, causing increased sympathetic nerve system (SNS) activity
• The effect is that the jetlagged individual becomes easily stressed
• Jetlag is associated with the development of gastrointestinal problems in the long-term

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945718305240

• The correlation between discrepancies in the endogenous circadian rhythm and sleep times demonstrates the adverse effects of jetlag on gastrointestinal functioning
• Workers who exhibit habitual variations between their work schedules and sleeping time are likely to develop gastrointestinal issues
• Imbalances between work and sleep periods preclude accumulated sleep deprivation, which disrupts the circadian rhythm and contributes to metabolic risks. In some severe cases, such metabolic risks might result in diabetes

3. Conclusion:

Jet lag is caused by fast travel across times zones, resulting in sleep disorders, irritability, and gastrointestinal problems in the long term.