Motion Sickness
There doesn’t appear to be a clear answer as to why some people suffer from motion sickness and others don’t. There is some evidence showing a possible genetic connection. Rough water, winding roads and plane turbulence are some of the most common causes of motion sickness. Some people can’t handle even a lengthy car ride.
Symptoms of motion sickness:
- balance problems
- vertigo
- rapid heart rate
- nausea
- sweating
- dizziness
- vomiting
Prevention
It’s easier to prevent motion sickness than it is to treat it once it has started:
- face forward, choose a position that faces in the same direction as you are moving, what your body is feeling and what your eyes are seeing need to match
- the front seat of a vehicle will always be better than the back seat, if you are traveling by car offer to drive, the driver is often too busy concentrating to get motion sickness
- the best choice for your cabin on a cruise ship is the center of the boat, the least amount of motion will be felt there
- if you are feeling queasy on a boat it is best to stay up on deck where you can see, look to where the water and horizon meet
- stay as calm and relaxed as possible, often just the thought of getting sick can be a trigger, take deep breaths
- on a plane sit in a window if possible, the seats where you will feel the least movement are over the wings
- eat very light before and during travel, avoid greasy or spicy foods
- some people find it best to eat nothing at all, experiment and see what works best for you
- get plenty of fresh air, poor ventilation will make motion sickness worse
- avoid alcohol and traveling with a hangover
- don’t read or play hand held games
If you do know that you are prone to severe motion sickness then you might want to take some medication. There are a few different options. Different methods work better for some people than others. If you talk to someone who gets motion sickness they will have usually tried an array of things and tell you which one worked best for them.
Ginger
- Can help prevent or reduce severity of motion sickness.
- Take one gram of encapsulated ginger root powder one hour before travel and again every two to four hours as needed. It should be taken on an empty stomach.
- is a safe alternative for most people
Gravol or Dramamine
- works well for some, but can make you very drowsy and/or have a dry mouth
- must be taken according to directions at appropriate time prior to travel and may need to be taken again at directed intervals
Bonamine or Meclizine
- works well for some, usually taken just once in 24 hours
- can still make you drowsy, but some people say less than gravol or dramamine
Scopolamine patch
- needs a prescription from your doctor
- works well for some people
- dry mouth, possible drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision
Acupressure
- safe
- doesn’t work for everyone
Wrist bands for motion sickness are sold at pharmacies and travel shops. The bands are usually made of a soft terry cloth material and have a hard plastic nodule embedded in them. The band should be worn so the nodule puts pressure about three finger widths above the wrist on the inner arm.