Motion sickness
Motion sickness or kinetosis, sometimes called travel sickness, is a common condition, especially in children. Depending on the cause, motion sickness can also be called car sickness, seasickness, airsickness, simulation sickness or space sickness.
Motion sickness can occur when the brain receives mixed sensory messages, such as when the eyes say one thing about the position or movement of the body but the balance mechanisms in the ears report something different, for example, motion that is seen but not felt, motion that is felt but not seen or motion that is seen and felt but the sensory information is not the same. Traveling by car, boat, plane, train or on a ride at a fairground can all trigger motion sickness.
Symptoms of motion sickness
Nausea or vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, drooling saliva and headaches are all common symptoms of motion sickness. The symptoms can also be triggered by strong smells such as from certain foods or petrol, by anxiety about whether symptoms will occur or by trying to focus on an object such as a map or book during the journey. In contrast to other causes, vomiting as a result of motion sickness does not relieve the feeling of nausea.
The symptoms of motion sickness will usually abate after the journey ends but sometimes may linger for hours or days.
To reduce the incidence of motion sickness
Whichever mode of transport you will be using try to limit the effects of the motion as much a possible.
Traveling with a clear view of the journey such as in the front seat of the car helps to prevent symptoms of motion sickness occurring but is not always possible, for example the age of the passenger may affect seating choice. Young children traveling in a car should be encouraged to look out of the car windows to the horizon and try to avoid looking at people or objects within the car. Games that involve looking at or for things outside the car are helpful.
Keep a window open, getting as much fresh air as possible is helpful to prevent motion sickness developing.
The driver should drive smoothly, taking bends gently and regular breaks in the journey, say every hour, can help during a long journey.
Similarly on a boat journey, fresh air and focusing on the horizon and not on the waves can help. If you can not go out on deck, find a place in the middle of the boat on a lower deck, this is where the boat's movement is felt the least.
When flying, ask for a seat over the wing as this is the most stable part of the plane. Sleeping or listening to music with eyes closed can help relaxation. Whilst reading or watching a movie may trigger motion sickness symptoms.
Other measures which may help ease symptoms include avoiding heavy or fatty meals or alcohol, and keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Deep breathing exercises have also been shown to help.
Herbal remedies for motion sickness
Ginger can help prevent nausea and conveniently can be taken as a biscuit, tea or in crystallised form Peppermint also can be helpful to reduce nausea and can be sucked as a sweet or taken as a tea.
Acupressure. This can be applied using a wristband or by pressing your finger against the middle of the inner wrist about three finger widths above the crease where the wrist joins the hand.