Jet Lagged in the Tummy?

December 31st, 2007

People are flying a lot around the holidays, and that means there’s a lot of stomach upset going around.

Flying across time zones is especially difficult for the internal body clock.  When you feel ‘lagged’ from a long flight, understand that it’s more than your sleep cycle that’s upset.  Your digestive tract also follows natural rhythms that get out of synch.  Plus, we often gobble fatty or sugary foods, or grab a quick carbonated drink while flying, and these can make your poor stomach even more distressed.

In a HealthDay interview with Dr. Sandra Hoogerwerf of the University of Michigan Medical School, she recommends some simple common-sense ideas to keep gastrointestinal problems to a minimum:

• eat light
• avoid caffeine and alcohol
• take your time with what you do eat

Entry Filed under: Making Choices