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What is motion sickness?
Motion sickness can be caused by many forms of travel including: car, bus, boat, and airplane. Other sources of movement including riding on amusement park attractions or simply swinging on a swing at a local park can cause motion sickness symptoms. Motion sickness occurs when repetitive small movements send the brain mixed messages. The eyes say one thing about the position of the body while the inner ear balance mechanisms report something different to the brain, which leads to disorientation. Typically, motion sickness results in a queasy/unwell feeling, but the symptoms can progress to sweating of the face and hands, salivation, retching and/or vomiting. Most of the time, the motion sickness occurs only as long as the motion continues. Certain smells such as gasoline and some foods can make the symptoms worse.
How do I avoid or at least decrease the symptoms of motion sickness without using medication?
The occurrence of motion sickness can be reduced by several methods. Tips to prevent motion sickness include the following: avoid reading during travel; keep the line of vision fairly straight ahead by fixing your gaze on a stationery object if possible; make sure there is plenty of ventilation/fresh air while you are traveling if possible; avoid excess food or alcohol before and during extended travel; stay where motion is least experienced (i.e. front of the car, near the wings of an airplane, or midship [midway between bow and stern], preferably on the deck of a boat); avoid strong odors, especially from food and tobacco smoke; and avoid traveling on a empty stomach or eating a heavy, fatty meal before traveling. Another method that can be used to decrease the incidence of motion sickness includes travel sick
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ness bands which are worn on the wrist in the same position as a watch. These have been effective in some patients.
What types of medication can I use to avoid or at least decrease the symptoms of motion sickness?
There a number of treatments available from your local pharmacy. Medications used to treat motion sickness often include antihistamines such as cyclizine, promethazine, and dimenhydrinate. These medications are most effective if taken before you plan to travel or experience motion that typically makes you experience motion sickness. Medication varies between 20 minutes and 2 hours or even the night before depending on the medication. This information can be found on the package of the product. If you have experienced motion sickness in the past do not wait until you start traveling before you take the medication because it often takes awhile for the drug to be absorbed and to become active in your body. Travel sickness medication can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, or a dry mouth. These medications can also interact with alcohol and other sedative-type medications such as anti-anxiety medication and antidepressants. If you are taking any other medication ask your pharmacist or physician before taking them. It is also very important to ask a pharmacist or physician before taking any over the counter medication if you are pregnant.
Where can I go to find out more about motion sickness?
If you are interested in learning more about motion sickness you can talk to your local pharmacist or visit the following website: www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch080/ch080d.html.
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