Do you sometimes dread a vacation or trip that you would otherwise look forward to because of the discomfort and embarrassment of being afflicted with motion sickness? Understanding your symptoms of motion sickness and trying new things will help you discover ways to prevent this problem and learn to enjoy traveling without reservation. Some information regarding motion sickness follows, as well as some suggestions to help you succeed on your quest for relief.
Whether by Land or by Sea . . . Motion Sickness can Develop
Do you sometimes dread a vacation or trip that you would otherwise look forward to because of the discomfort and embarrassment of being afflicted with motion sickness? Whether you are planning on air travel, cruise travel, train travel, or a trip to the amusement park, preparation can be stressful enough without the added concern of motion sickness. Understanding your symptoms of motion sickness and trying new things will help you discover ways to prevent this problem and learn to enjoy traveling without reservation.
Why are Some People Afflicted with Motion Sickness?
Anyone can develop motion sickness as a result of travel or travel-like movement. When you become motion sick, the motion you experience causes differing sensations in your body that send confusing messages to your brain. Your brain receives conflicting information as a result of the movement, visual stimulation, and sense of balance that your body experiences. For example, when your eyes send one sense of motion to your brain, but your inner ear sends another, the result is often motion sickness.
Common Symptoms of Motion Sickness
Nausea and/or vomiting
Headache
Sweating
Dizziness or feeling light-headed
Other general discomfort
Coping with Motion Sickness
Two basic coping strategies that most motion sickness sufferers are familiar with are:
Recovery
Many sufferers cope by developing habits to help them deal with the aftermath of motion sickness. For example, you may immediately check the back of the seat in front of you for a vomit bag after boarding an airplane.
Prevention
Many sufferers cope by changing their lifestyle to limit opportunities for the development of motion sickness. For example, you may avoid various kinds of travel and never brave amusement park rides. Many sufferers also experiment with different strategies to prevent or minimize the symptoms of motion sickness. Some of these preventative strategies are further discussed below.
Go the Extra Mile to Find Relief for Motion Sickness
There is no cure for motion sickness, but you can find relief from this problem by experimenting with tried and true suggestions for a better travel experience. Because every individual is different, you will need to find the best coping strategy for your personal symptoms. Here are some methods of preventing or controlling motion sickness that have been tried with some success. Keep in mind that it is recommended to consult a physician on any matter regarding your physical health. Suggestions for the relief of symptoms of motion sickness follow:
Prior to traveling, eat a light meal consisting of foods that are easy to digest. Avoid fatty and greasy foods. Bring along snacks, like crackers and granola bars, to eat every few hours. Peppermint and ginger root are other edibles with benefits discussed below.
Position yourself carefully. Whenever possible, face the front of the vehicle or your means of transportation. Look out the forward facing window rather than a side window. This allows the traveling motions to match with your visual and sensory motions and causes less confusion for your body. Determine the best seat for you depending on your mode of transportation. When in a car, a seat in the front is ideal. Many find that driving prevents their symptoms. When flying, requesting a seat near the wings may provide you with a smoother ride. When on a boat, a cabin near the center may provide you with a smoother ride.
Try to calm fears and anxiety. Take deep breaths or practice other relaxation techniques. Fear and anxiety will encourage the development of symptoms, or exacerbate your current symptoms of motion sickness.
Get some fresh air. Take more of those deep breaths! Perhaps because it diminishes the feeling of being in an enclosed space, fresh, cool air seems to help.
Put your book, newspaper, or map away. Don’t watch television or a movie. The movement your eyes detects can conflict with the movement your body is detecting, and result in motion sickness.
Try a peppermint, especially peppermint tea or peppermint oil. As you inhale the scent of peppermint, it can be awakening or invigorating and may aid in combating feelings of light headedness. In addition, although it can increase alertness in some ways, peppermint may have a calming effect the stomach. Although it is not recommended for heartburn or indigestion, peppermint can be useful in soothing an upset stomach and aiding in the management of nausea.
Ginger root may prevent motion sickness by calming the stomach and preventing the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Try adding ginger tea to a light meal you eat before you travel, or taking ginger capsules before you leave and when feeling nauseous.
Over-the-counter drugs, including the brand names of Benadryl, Bonine, Compazine, Dramamine, and Marezine, aid many travelers in preventing motion sickness. Most over-the-counter drugs for the prevention of motion sickness should be taken about one hour prior to the travel or activities that usually result in motion sickness. Side effects are generally reported to be minimal, with drowsiness being the most common side effect experienced. However, these medications are not for everyone, especially those with other medical conditions, and should be aken with the appropriate caution.
Prescription drugs are also available for the relief of motion sickness. As with any prescription medication, consult with your doctor to determine what is right for you. Then pay close attention as your doctor and pharmacist inform you of any possible side effects and direct you in proper usage.
The scopolamine patch is a treatment available by prescription. This small patch is placed behind the ear where the absorption of its medication has been shown to prevent the nausea and other symptoms associated with motion sickness.
Acupressure on the upper wrist may relieve motion sickness, especially the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Just give your wrist a squeeze! It’s actually slightly more complicated than that. Apply slight pressure to your wrist at the acupressure point located on the inside of your forearm approximately two inches above your wrist. Apply gentle and steady pressure for a few moments. A variety of acupressure wrist bands are available that claim to prevent motion sickness. These bands can be worn to provide pressure at the correct point, and discourage the symptoms of motion sickness.