Page 112 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

110 COMMON CONDITIONS: CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS

Motion sickness

If you suffer from motion sickness, or travel sickness, you will have feelings of nausea and dizziness,
and possibly a headache, whenever you travel by car, ship, train, or plane. If the motion continues, you
begin to feel worse and may break out in a sweat, breathe rapidly and shallowly, turn pale, and vomit.
Motion sickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting messages from the balance organs inside
the ears and from the eyes. Some people are more susceptible to motion sickness than others, and anxiety
can contribute to the problem. Children are generally more prone to the condition than adults.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
There are several measures that help to prevent
or minimize motion sickness. Plan how to put Motion sickness pills (see p.187)
them into effect before you start your trip. contain antihistamines, such as meclizine or
dimenhydrinate, which help control symptoms.
● Before you travel, eat a little bland food. Avoid
Take them before you start a trip. They may make
having alcohol and carbonated drinks before and you drowsy, so don’t drive after taking them. They
during your trip. may also increase the effects of alcohol, so avoid
alcoholic drinks once you have taken them.
● Try taking motion sickness pills before traveling
(see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
● On board a vehicle, try to choose a position with
the least motion. In a plane, sit halfway down, by NATURAL REMEDIES
a window overlooking the wings. In a ship, sit in
the middle, or stay on deck if you can. If you are Ginger (see p.183) has been shown to reduce
below deck or in an enclosed cabin, try to sleep as symptoms of motion sickness. Take ginger root capsules
much as you can. In a train, sit by a window, facing an hour or two before you start a trip. Alternatively, try
the direction of travel. In a car, sit in a front seat. nibbling a slice of fresh ginger or crystallized ginger, or
taking ⁄2 –1 teaspoon of powdered ginger in fruit
1
● Make sure that you have access to fresh air. juice. A child may prefer a ginger cookie or candy.
Avoid strong odors and cigarette smoke.
Ginger root and powder
● In a car or train, focus on the horizon or something Eat fresh ginger or stir
in the distance in the direction of travel. Avoid powdered ginger
reading, writing, or looking down. into fruit juice.
● Eating some ginger may help to relieve nausea
(see NATURAL REMEDIES, right).
● You may find that traveling at night reduces
sickness, particularly if you manage to sleep.
● If anxiety plays a part, try exercises to control
your breathing (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, p.20).
● Try acupressure bands. They are thought to relieve Seek medical advice
nausea by stimulating a point on the wrist.
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● If your child has motion sickness, use a booster
● You still have motion sickness symptoms
seat so that he or she can look out the window.
a day or two after travel
Distract your child with music, a story tape or CD,
● You have symptoms such as nausea and
or games that involve looking for things ahead.
dizziness when you are not traveling