What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is a condition caused by a disagreement between the motion you visualize and the motion you sense with your inner ear. It is a common condition among people who travel and, depending on the mode of transportation, it can be termed car sickness, seasickness, and/or airsickness. It can also be experienced when on like roller coaster and/or different motion objects in the amusement park. Motion sickness often develops from an uneasy feeling to dizziness, and/or sweating followed by nausea/vomiting. It affects children from 5 to 12 years, but rarely children under the age of two. Adults experience motion sickness more often than children.

Who is at risk of motion sickness?

Women and children are more prone to experiencing motion sickness.

What are the causes of motion sickness?

Usually, motion sickness is caused by the inability of the brain to interpret the mixed signals sent by the inner ear and the eyes. This mixed signal leads to motion sickness.

What are the signs and symptoms of motion sickness?

• A general feeling of uneasiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Sweating

What is the treatment of motion sickness?

There are also over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat or prevent motion sickness.

Can motion sickness be prevented?

Motion sickness can be prevented by taking motion sickness medication a few hours before travelling and subsequently while on the journey.

There are a few ways to prevent/reduce motion sickness without the use any medication, below are the various ways motion sickness can be prevented or reduced.

• Always ask for a cabin on the upper deck that is located towards the front if you are on a boat and fix your eyes on the horizon.
• Always eat snacks or light meals 24 hours before you travel and avoid high fat meals
• Always turn the air vent towards your face in on a train, plane, or car
• When travelling in a car, sit in front, and keep your eyes straight on the horizon. Hold your head steady by using the head rest of the seat.
• Avoid smoking

Medications available

Medications used to treat motion sickness are available as tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules.

Prescription or over the counter?

Below is a list of some of the motion sickness medications that you obtain over the counter:

Side effects

Some of the side effects involved with the use of nausea medicines may include:

• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth/nose/throat

Contraindications

The use of any motion sickness product is contraindicated in any patient who is hypersensitive to any ingredients used in the formulation.