Do you struggle with motion sickness? Do you experience the unpleasant feeling of clutching your stomach on a bumpy ride or rocking boat trip, praying for it to end? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Motion sickness is that unpleasant and often unexpected friend who visits when you don’t want him/her. Motion sickness occurs when you travel by road, train, sea, or air.
You may wonder why you get motion sick. Well, I’ll tell you. The queasy, dizzy, and nauseating feeling you suffer on every trip is your brain getting mixed signals. Unbearable? I agree!
However, here’s the good news. While motion sickness has lived for centuries, since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, there are ways to manage it today.
So, keep reading if travels turn your stomach. News Round The Clock (NRTC) will dive into why you struggle with motion sickness; what causes it, who’s most at risk, and how to prevent it.
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What Exactly Is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness, also called travel sickness or sea sickness, happens when your brain gets conflicting messages from your eyes, inner ears, and muscles about movement. For example, you might be sitting still in a car, but your eyes see trees whizzing by, while your body feels stationary. That sensory mismatch confuses your brain, causing nausea, dizziness, and sweating.
Meanwhile, it’s not limited to transportation alone, as virtual motion sickness (VMS) is becoming more common thanks to video games and VR headsets.
Common Symptoms of Motion Sickness
Motion sickness can creep in slowly or hit you all at once. Here are the most common symptoms:
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweats or going pale
- Fatigue or yawning
- Headaches
- Excess salivation
- Rapid breathing
- Irritability
However, for some, like me—yep, guilty—it may even trigger an unbearable migraine.
What Causes Motion Sickness?
The answer is a confused brain. The body has multiple systems that track motion, such as your eyes, inner ears (specifically the vestibular system), muscles, and joints. When those systems send conflicting messages, your brain can’t keep up, and motion sickness sets in.
For instance, you’re on a plane. Your body feels the turbulence, but your eyes only see the still interior of the cabin. That disconnect is all it takes to send conflicting messages to the brain.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Thankfully, motion sickness doesn’t discriminate, but some people are more likely to experience it than others. You’re at higher risk of suffering motion sickness if you’re a child between the ages of 2–12, you’re pregnant, have a history of inner ear problems, menstruating, have parkinson’s disease, have a family history of motion sickness, or you get migraines.
Can Motion Sickness Cause Other Problems?
Usually, it’s more uncomfortable than dangerous. But in extreme cases, frequent vomiting can lead to dehydration or low blood pressure. If symptoms linger long after the motion stops or occur without movement, you should check in with your doctor.
Diagnosing and Treating Motion Sickness
How to Diagnose It
Unfortunately, there’s no special test to confirm motion sickness. However, your doctor will likely assess your symptoms and rule out other issues with a physical exam and an ear check.
How to Treat Motion Sickness
While you may not be able to stop it completely once it starts, you can ease and/or prevent the symptoms.
From personal experience and research, you can try the following:
- Fresh air: Open a window or get outside if possible.
- Look ahead: Fix your gaze on the horizon or a distant object.
- Lie back and close your eyes: This can help your brain recalibrate.
- Sip/drink ginger tea or ginger ale: Ginger is known for settling the stomach.
- Try peppermint or chamomile tea: Natural remedies that help calm nausea.
- Use motion sickness aids: Special glasses or acupressure wristbands may offer relief.
- Take a break from screens: If gaming or VR is the cause, step away immediately.
Can You Prevent Motion Sickness?
Yes! Planning can make a huge difference. Where you sit matters. Here are some seat-picking tips for your next trip:
- Car: Sit in the front passenger seat.
- Plane: Choose a seat over the wing for the smoothest ride.
- Boat: Stay on the upper deck in the middle of the vessel.
- Bus or Train: Sit near a window and face forward.
- Cruise ship: Book a cabin mid-ship, low to the waterline.
Also, avoid alcohol, don’t travel on an empty stomach, and drink plenty of water. A light, bland meal before your trip helps too.
What Medications Help?
If you prefer medications to natural remedies, I’ve got you covered, too. Some over-the-counter and prescription meds can help prevent or reduce symptoms:
- Antihistamines like Dramamine® (dimenhydrinate) can be effective. Just make sure it’s the drowsy kind.
- Scopolamine patches are worn behind the ear and work well for adults prone to severe symptoms. Just be aware that they can cause dry mouth and need to be replaced every three days.
When do I Seek Medical Help
Motion sickness usually fades once the motion stops, but seek medical advice if:
- Nausea or vomiting becomes chronic
- You feel sick even when you’re not moving
- You show signs of dehydration
