What is motion sickness?
Motion sickness is the feeling you get when the motion you sense with your inner ear is different from the motion you see. In other words, there are three parts to your body’s balance-sensing system: the inner ear, the eyes, and the sensory nerves. This is caused when one part of your balance-sensing system senses that your body is moving, but the other parts don’t. For example, if you cannot see the motion that your body is feeling, or if you cannot feel the motion that you’re seeing, then it is likely that your brain will mix up the signals and you’ll get some form of motion sickness. Anyone traveling is susceptible to motion sickness, however pregnant women and children are more likely to be affected.
Symptoms:
When experiencing motion sickness, there are multiple symptoms that can arise,
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Sweating
- Ill feeling
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Treatments:
Once you experience the symptoms of motion sickness, it’s hard to get rid of it, but there are multiple remedies that may help relieve some of the symptoms.
Medicinal:
Other Remedies:
- Snack on some dry soda crackers
- Sip on clear fizzy drinks (i.e. ginger ale)
- Step outside and get some fresh air
- Lie down, keep your head as still as possible
- Herbs such as ginger, peppermint, and tea
Prevention?
Motion sickness, while a minimal health risk, can cause a lot of frustration and stress, especially if you travel a lot. There is no foolproof way to prevent getting sick, but there are things to keep in mind while traveling to lower your risks. When traveling, try not to eat too heavily; instead, bring small, light snacks. Move your head as little as possible, and turn air vents to you if necessary. Try to avoid smoking or strong scents and concentrate on maintaining slow and deep breathing. Most importantly, if you know that you’re easily affected by motion sickness, be sure to prepare. Know what symptoms usually come up and take note of what you’re doing when it occurs. Bring remedies known to treat the illness, and keep it in an accessible location. Prepping yourself for travel can make motion sickness much more manageable.