Motion Sickness: How to Avoid It and Remedies
Key Takeaways:
Motion sickness, also known as travel sickness, is a common condition that occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the inner ear, eyes and other sensory receptors about body movement. It’s often caused by motion from a ship, car, plane or other moving transportation vehicle; or even from suddenly stopping motion.
Motion sickness symptoms can include nausea, sweating, vomiting and dizziness.
There are a variety of treatments, including prescription and over the counter medications, behavioral strategies and natural remedies.
If you have a sudden onset of motion sickness with no prior history, speak to your doctor.
You’ve finally made it on vacation, whether it’s a scenic winding mountain road trip, a boating excursion or a plane ride to the beach. Just as you are starting to relax and enjoy yourself, a wave of nausea hits you. You know what’s next, and it’s not pretty. Motion sickness can ruin any great outing, and even hit during mundane everyday events too, such as a carousel with your kids at a festival or a ride in the back seat of a friend’s car.
“Anyone can experience motion sickness, but it is more common in women, people who suffer migraines and children ages 2-12,” says Dr. David Cutler, board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “You may also be more prone to experiencing motion sickness if you are tired, dehydrated or sick, especially with a head cold or ear infection.”
It makes sense that the word nausea even derives from the Greek word “naus,” meaning “ship.” Here’s how to avoid it and simple remedies to help you feel better – whether you’re in a car, on a plane or roller coaster – so you can get back to enjoying the ride.
What Is Motion Sickness, and What Triggers It?
Motion sickness or journey sickness can seem like a mysterious phenomenon. Cutler says it’s symptoms that occur when movement – or suddenly stopping movement – causes your brain to receive conflicting messages about your body’s position in space.
“These conflicting messages come from the inner ear, eyes and various receptors in the skin, muscles and joints,” says Dr. Brad Ralston, a functional neurologist at Neurohealth Brain Center in Indianapolis.
Symptoms may include:
Dizziness
Nausea and/or vomiting
Clamminess
Sweating
Common triggers include:
Travel by car, bus, train, boat or plane
Any activity with movement, especially anything involving rapid or abrupt shifts in speed or direction, like amusement park rides or rollercoasters
In general, people with motion sickness fall into two categories: Those that have dealt with it all their lives, and those with a sudden onset.
“Some people have had it as long as they can remember, and might have even had a memorable moment in their childhood (or many moments) proving it’s a lifelong tendency or phenotype,” says Dr. Ralston. He adds if motion sickness is a new symptom you’re experiencing, “You should see a doctor and have a neurological evaluation.”
Source: US News
