Travel sickness, also known as motion sickness, can turn exciting trips into unpleasant experiences. It occurs when your brain receives conflicting messages from your inner ear, eyes, and body about motion. This mismatch often leads to dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting, whether you’re in a car, plane, train, or boat. Fortunately, with the right strategies, you can effectively prevent and manage travel sickness, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable journey for everyone.
Simple Strategies to Ward Off Travel Sickness Without Medication
While completely avoiding travel sickness triggers might be ideal, it’s not always practical. However, several non-medicinal approaches can significantly reduce or even eliminate symptoms. These techniques are especially useful for those seeking natural remedies or for children.
Practical Tips for Adults and Children
- Optimize Your Position: Where you sit or stand during travel makes a big difference. In cars and buses, aim for the front seats where motion is less pronounced. On airplanes and trains, window seats are preferable, allowing you to focus on the horizon. On boats, the middle deck and towards the fresh air are generally best.
- Focus on the Horizon or a Fixed Point: Visual cues play a crucial role in motion sickness. Staring at a stable point like the horizon or the road ahead can help synchronize your senses and reduce confusion. Avoid reading or looking at your phone, as these can worsen symptoms by focusing your vision on something moving relative to your surroundings.
- Stay Hydrated and Mindful of Your Diet: Dehydration can exacerbate motion sickness. Drink plenty of water before and during your travel. It’s also wise to eat light, frequent small meals and snacks. Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods before and during travel, as these can upset your stomach. Some people find ginger-based candies or snacks particularly helpful in settling the stomach.
- Fresh Air and Ventilation: Good ventilation can make a significant difference. If possible, open a window or adjust air vents to ensure a flow of fresh air. Stuffy environments can worsen nausea.
- Distraction Techniques: Engaging your mind can help divert attention from motion sickness symptoms. Listening to music, podcasts, or engaging in conversation can be effective distraction methods. For children, playing travel games or listening to audiobooks can be beneficial.
- Rest and Relaxation: If possible, closing your eyes or even taking a nap can help alleviate symptoms. Reducing visual input and body movement can minimize sensory conflict.
Medications for Travel Sickness: When and What to Use
For longer journeys or individuals particularly prone to motion sickness, medications can be a highly effective preventative measure. It’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using any medication, especially for children or individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
When to Consider Medicine
If non-medicinal strategies are insufficient, or if you are traveling for extended periods or through turbulent conditions, medication might be the most practical solution. It’s generally more effective to take motion sickness medication before symptoms begin.
Types of Medications
Common over-the-counter medications include:
- Antihistamines: Drugs like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are frequently used to prevent motion sickness. They work by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that contributes to motion sickness symptoms. Be aware that drowsiness is a common side effect of these medications. Non-drowsy options are available but may be less effective for motion sickness.
- Scopolamine Patches: This is a prescription medication available as a skin patch. It’s applied behind the ear and releases medication over a few days. Scopolamine is very effective but also carries potential side effects like dry mouth, blurred vision, and dizziness. It’s crucial to discuss scopolamine with your doctor to determine if it’s appropriate for you.
Special Tips for Children and Travel Sickness
Motion sickness is notably more prevalent in children, particularly those between 2 and 12 years old. When traveling with children, extra care and preventative measures are essential.
Addressing Motion Sickness in Young Travelers
- Consult a Pediatrician: Always speak to your child’s doctor before giving them any motion sickness medication. Some medications are not recommended for young children, and proper dosage is crucial.
- Start with Non-Medicinal Methods: Prioritize non-drug strategies first, like optimizing seating, horizon gazing, and light snacks. Children are often more responsive to these methods.
- Consider Child-Friendly Medications: If medication is necessary, your pediatrician can recommend appropriate options and dosages. Some children may experience hyperactivity instead of drowsiness with certain antihistamines, so a trial dose before travel might be advisable.
- Make it Fun and Distracting: Keep children entertained and distracted during travel. Games, stories, music, and engaging conversations can help take their minds off the journey and potential sickness.
By combining these preventative strategies and understanding the nuances of travel sickness, you can significantly reduce its impact and ensure that your family trips are memorable for all the right reasons.
More Information:
Motion Sickness in CDC Yellow Book
