Motion sickness is a common malady for many, even seasoned sailors. The bobbing, dipping and churning of waves or the movement of a car is not a pleasant experience for thousands of people around the world. On the water it’s known as seasickness, on land as car sickness or motion sickness and in the air, air sickness. Basically it’s all the same. Sufferers cannot seem to be able to overcome the sensitivity of motion.

Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives information that is incorrect about the environment that the sufferer is in. In order for the body to stay in balance, the sensory system of the human body collects information about surroundings, and then sends it on to the ears. They organize the information and send it on to the brain. When the balance systems notices a discrepancy between the readings of the inner ear and the readings of the eye, motion sickness occurs. Not everyone is affected by it, but those who are feel distinctly uncomfortable. Nausea, headache and vomiting can occur.

Symptoms

Symptoms of motion sickness can include dizziness, nausea and vertigo. None of these are pleasant sensations and they cause the traveler to be uncomfortable, irritable and moody. Paleness and cold sweats can also accompany other symptoms of motion sickness.

Dizziness

Dizziness is the sensation of feeling unsteady on your feet and lightheaded.

Vertigo

Though some people class vertigo as dizziness, it is totally different. Vertigo is the sense of turning or spinning in circles.

What is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness is when you experience nausea or vomiting while using a mode of transportation that moves, such as a car, bus, airplane, ship or even an amusement park ride.

Psychological?

Yes, motion sickness is partially psychological. If you think you will get sick to your stomach, you will. Try to think positive thoughts and keep your mind off the motion.

Ignore Others

Though it sounds a bit cold hearted, ignore others who are suffering from motion sickness. It seems that once someone gets sick that then others get sick. From there, a definite domino effect occurs. So, for your own well being, ignore those suffering from any type of motion sickness unless they are a child who is in your care.

Odors

Odors that are unpleasant contribute to motion sickness. Whether its fumes from the boat’s motor, the fish that are in a cooler or the food that is served on a plane, odors can make you lose it. Try to avoid unpleasant odors when you can.

Breathing

If you experience the symptoms of motion sickness, take slow, deep breaths. This helps to reduce nausea, dizziness and vertigo. Rapid breathing or hyperventilating makes symptoms more pronounced.

Cigarettes and Smoke

If you’re a smoker, you may think that lighting up a cigarette will calm you and take the sense of motion sickness away. In fact, exactly the opposite occurs and not only that, cigarette smoke can make non-smoker’s motion sickness worse.

Night Travel

If you suffer from motion sickness when you travel, try traveling at night. After the sun is set, you can’t see the motion as well as you can during the day.

Alcohol

Don’t drink alcohol if you are a motion sickness sufferer. It interferes with the way the brain responds and can cause symptoms of motion sickness. Alcohol can also turn into fluid that will travel to the inner ear, giving the sensation of dizziness.

Fresh Air

If you are on a boat and begin to feel a case of motion sickness coming on, step out on the deck. In a plane, open the overhead vent and in a car, roll down the window. Fresh air is a great way to get relief from motion sickness.

Food

Foods that cause a bit of nausea normally will send you over the edge when you are experiencing motion sickness. Don’t eat anything you don’t like and keep food to a minimum when traveling. Food can cause your stomach to turn upside down unexpectedly, which will certainly ruin your fun.

Sleep

Be sure to get lots of sleep before traveling. Fatigue can make motion sickness worse. If you are flying or sitting in the passenger seat of a car, take a short nap to keep motions sickness at bay.

Car Travel

If you have a problem with car travel, always ride in the front seat. This allows you to see a greater distance and have a more open concept than when you sit in the rear seat. Look at the horizon, or the sights along the road to keep your body in balance.

If being a passenger doesn’t seem to work, try driving. When you are the driver, you have to look straight ahead and concentrate on traffic. This helps you foresee any changes in motion and direction. It helps greatly to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness.

Don’t Read

Get someone else to look at the map and never read while traveling, unless it is in your hotel room. The movement of transportation makes the text on the page of the book look like its moving and this can cause dizziness and nausea.

Tips to Curb Motion Sickness

If you must be the one to read the map or the travel guide, here are a few tips on curbing motion sickness.

• Hold the map or travel guide at eye level.

• Slouch in the seat. Reading doesn’t cause motion sickness, but the angle at which you are reading does. When you look down when traveling in a car, the motion from the side windows hits the eye at an unusual angle and causes the symptoms of motion sickness.

• Put your hands up to the side of your eyes and use them much as you would use blinders on a horse. This blocks the motion from the side window.

• Turn your back to the side window and only look out the windshield when traveling by car. If you are traveling by plane, try to get an aisle seat. This will do much to prevent motion sickness.

• When traveling by ship, try to get a cabin in mid-ship where tossing and rolling of the waves is minimal. On small boats you don’t have this option, but if you are going to be below deck, stay near the front of the boat where motion is less.

• Don’t stay below deck if traveling on a ship. Get out on the deck in the fresh air and where you can see the horizon.

• Try to look at something stationary in the distance, if possible.

• If you know that you will experience motion sickness when traveling, buy an over the counter medication such as Bonine or Dramamine, which prevents motions sickness, or ask your doctor for a prescription for motion sickness medication.

• When you are experiencing motion sickness, you may wish your life could end immediately. However, motion sickness doesn’t kill. It’s uncomfortable, irritating and frustrating, but once your body adjusts to the environment, it will pass. This can take a few days, so don’t expect immediate relief.

Home Remedies

These remedies may not work for everyone, but they do work for many. If you’re suffering from motion sickness, it’s worth trying them out. Any relief will be welcome.

Olives and Lemons

Motion sickness causes us to produce excess saliva which, when swallowed, causes nausea. Olives produce tannin which can make our mouth dry, as does sucking a lemon; when the first wave of nausea hits, eat a couple of olives to stop excess saliva from making the motion sickness worse.

Coca Cola Syrup

Coca Cola syrup is often prescribed by doctors for children who are experiencing nausea. Add a bit to a glass of seltzer water to get much needed relief.

Gingerroot

Ginger has been used for centuries for the symptoms of motion sickness. Eating ginger is more effective in curbing the symptoms of motion sickness than over the counter medications. Ginger absorbs acid and blocks nausea in the intestinal tract.

Women are pregnant should consult their doctor before taking gingerroot because clinical studies have been minimal in this area.

Peppermint

Though clinical studies have not been done on the effectiveness of peppermint for treating the symptoms of morning sickness, individuals report that it is effective in reducing nausea.

Acupressure

Acupressure wristbands have proven effective in curbing nausea caused by motion sickness. These lightweight bracelets have a button that is worn over the Nei-Kaun pressure point on the inside of the wrist. You can reduce symptoms of motion sickness by pressing on the button for a few seconds.

Complications

There are no long term complications from motion sickness, but those who suffer from it should avoid careers in the airline and ship industries, as well as jobs that require them to travel long distances. If you experience motion sickness while traveling, it will cease completely when the trip is over. Try to stay calm and keep stress minimal before and during travel. Stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms of motion sickness.

Conclusion

If you follow the tips in this article, you can control the symptoms of motions sickness to make your trip a more positive experience, which will enable you to enjoy it to its fullest. Happy traveling.