Motion sickness can turn exciting travel plans into unpleasant experiences. It occurs when your brain receives conflicting messages from your eyes and inner ear about movement. Whether you’re in a car, plane, boat, or even on a theme park ride, motion sickness can trigger symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to prevent and manage travel sickness, ensuring a more comfortable trip for everyone.
Simple Strategies to Prevent Travel Sickness Without Medication
While completely avoiding travel sickness triggers might be impossible, especially when you’re on the move, several non-medicinal methods can significantly reduce or prevent symptoms.
- Choose the Right Seat: When traveling by car or bus, aim for the front seats where motion is less noticeable. On airplanes and trains, a window seat allows you to look outside and focus on the horizon.
- Focus on the Horizon: Fixing your gaze on a stable point like the horizon helps to synchronize your senses and reduce confusion that leads to motion sickness. If possible, closing your eyes or even sleeping can also be beneficial.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Light: Dehydration can worsen motion sickness symptoms. Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks. Eating small, frequent meals can help settle your stomach, but steer clear of heavy, greasy foods and strong odors before and during travel.
- Avoid Irritants: Smoking can exacerbate nausea. Limiting or avoiding smoking, even temporarily, can make a difference. Strong smells can also trigger symptoms in some individuals, so try to avoid them.
- Distract Yourself: Engaging your mind with activities like listening to music, audiobooks, or having conversations can help take your focus away from the motion. However, avoid reading or looking at screens if they worsen your symptoms.
- Ginger Remedies: Ginger has natural anti-nausea properties. Ginger candies, ginger ale (made with real ginger), or ginger supplements can be effective in easing motion sickness.
Medications for Travel Sickness
If non-medicinal approaches aren’t enough, over-the-counter and prescription medications can be used to prevent or treat motion sickness. It’s important to note that many of these medications can cause drowsiness.
Consult with a healthcare professional to determine if medication is right for you, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Common medications include antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and prescription options like scopolamine patches. Always follow dosage instructions carefully.
Special Considerations for Children and Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is particularly common in children between 2 and 12 years old. When traveling with kids, preventative measures are often key.
Not all motion sickness medications are suitable for children, and dosages need to be carefully considered. Always consult a pediatrician or healthcare provider before giving any medication to a child for motion sickness. They can recommend appropriate treatments and dosages. While some medications can cause drowsiness, in some children, they may have the opposite effect, leading to hyperactivity. It’s wise to try a test dose at home before travel to observe how your child reacts.
For more in-depth information, refer to the CDC Yellow Book’s section on Motion Sickness. By understanding motion sickness and implementing these preventive and treatment strategies, you can significantly reduce its impact and enjoy smoother, more pleasant travels for you and your family.
