Millions of Travelers experience such nauseating symptoms each year when they should be enjoying their travel. Traveling can be anything from a simple car or bus trip, or even hopping onto a plane; knowing about this particular disorder may allow you to better cope with symptoms. No longer will you dread experiencing the discomfort that goes hand-in-hand with motion sickness! This article covers everything from the causes and diseases associated with motion sickness to a list of proven ways to overcome it.
What Causes Motion Sickness?
The cause of motion sickness lies within the brain, and the condition is usually defined as an incongruity in motion and position perception that arises from sensory misalignment within the eyes, inner ears, and sensory nerves. Such a discord provokes various unpleasant symptoms.
This sensory conflict typically occurs in situations like:
- Reading in a moving vehicle, where your eyes focus on a stationary object while your inner ear detects motion
- Being below deck on a boat, where you can’t see the horizon but can feel the ship’s movement
- Experiencing unexpected motion in virtual reality environments, creating a disconnect between visual input and physical stillness
For some during episodes of motion sickness, their brain tries to integrate a variety of potentially conflicting signals as their inner ear might be sensing that a movement is taking place whereas the eyes may fail to perceive that movement.
Recognizing Motion Sickness Symptoms
The symptoms of motion sickness typically develop gradually and can range from mild discomfort to debilitating distress. Common indicators include:
- Nausea, often the first and most prominent symptom
- A general sense of unwellness or “stomach awareness”
- Increased salivation and sweating
- Feelings of warmth and flushing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- In severe cases, vomiting
Many people also experience additional symptoms like headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Some individuals may become pale or develop cold sweats as the condition progresses.
Who’s Most Vulnerable to Motion Sickness?
While anyone can experience motion sickness, certain factors increase susceptibility:
- Age: Children between 2-12 years are particularly susceptible, with susceptibility often decreasing after adolescence
- Sex: Women appear to be more vulnerable, especially during menstruation or pregnancy
- Genetic factors: Family history often plays a role in susceptibility
- Migraine sufferers: Those who experience migraines show higher rates of motion sickness
- Previous experiences: Having experienced motion sickness before increases the likelihood of future episodes
Interestingly, very young infants and toddlers rarely experience motion sickness, likely because their sensory systems are still developing.
Effective Motion Sickness Prevention Strategies
Preventing motion sickness is generally easier than treating it once symptoms appear. Several approaches can minimize your risk:
Positioning and Visual Focus
How and where you position yourself during travel significantly impacts susceptibility:
- In cars: Choose the front passenger seat or driver’s seat when possible, and focus on the distant horizon
- On boats: Stay on deck where you can see the horizon, or choose midship cabins on lower decks
- On planes: Select seats over the front edge of the wing, where movement is minimized
- On trains: Opt for forward-facing seats near the front of the train
The key principle is to minimize sensory conflict by positioning yourself where motion is less intense and maintaining visual confirmation of movement when possible.
Behavioral Adaptations
Simple behavioral changes can significantly reduce your risk:
- Avoid reading, using smartphones, or focusing on close objects during travel
- Face forward in the direction of movement
- Keep your head and body as still as possible while traveling
- Ensure proper ventilation with fresh air when possible
- Close your eyes briefly if symptoms begin
- Practice controlled, slow breathing when you feel symptoms developing
For many people, these practical adjustments alone can prevent or minimize motion sickness during travel.
Natural Remedies
Several natural approaches show promise for motion sickness prevention:
- Ginger: Available as capsules, candies, teas, or biscuits, ginger has shown effectiveness in reducing nausea
- Acupressure: Applying pressure to the P6 acupressure point (located on the inner wrist) may help alleviate symptoms
- Controlled breathing: Slow, deep breathing techniques can help manage mild symptoms
These approaches are particularly valuable for those who prefer to avoid medications or who experience only mild symptoms.
Medication Options for Motion Sickness
When preventive measures aren’t enough, several medication options can effectively prevent or treat motion sickness:
Over-the-Counter Options
Common over-the-counter medications include:
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine): Taken 30-60 minutes before travel and every 8 hours during the journey
- Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy): Also taken 30-60 minutes before travel, with a longer duration of action than dimenhydrinate
These antihistamines work by suppressing signals in the pathways that trigger motion sickness symptoms. Their primary side effect is drowsiness, though “less drowsy” formulations minimize this effect.
Prescription Medications
For those with severe or persistent motion sickness, prescription options include:
- Scopolamine patch (Transderm-Scop): An adhesive patch applied behind the ear 4-12 hours before travel, providing up to 72 hours of relief
- Prescription-strength antihistamines for those who don’t respond to over-the-counter options
Prescription options typically offer more potent and longer-lasting relief but may have additional side effects that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Modern Approaches to Motion Sickness Treatment
Today’s travelers have more options than ever for addressing motion sickness:
Telehealth Services
Virtual care services now offer convenient access to motion sickness treatment. Through these platforms, you can:
- Connect with licensed healthcare providers via message or video consultation
- Discuss your travel plans and motion sickness history
- Receive personalized treatment recommendations
- If appropriate, get prescriptions delivered directly to your home
This approach eliminates the need for an in-person doctor’s visit before traveling, making preventive care more accessible.
Habituation Training
For those who frequently experience motion sickness, habituation training offers a long-term solution. This approach gradually exposes individuals to motion stimuli in controlled environments, helping the brain adapt over time. Used successfully in military pilot training with success rates above 80%, this approach targets the root cause rather than just managing symptoms.
Conclusion
It is important to note that traveling to your destinations does not have to always have motion sickness as a constant disturbance. With the knowledge of what causes the said motion sickness and employing efforts to reduce its occurrence, almost all travelers experiencing the ailment will be able to control it just fine. In advanced stages of the illness, therapies and treatment methods range from body placement corrections, changes to lifestyle, home based treatments and pharmacological treatment for appropriate severity levels.
