Motion sickness has the power to turn travel into a nightmare. Those who suffer from it can vouch for that. Also referred to as Car Sickness and Sea Sickness, Motion sickness is a common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion. Commonly affecting 2 to 12 years’ old, pregnant women, and people who are prone to migraines, motion sickness can also develop from the movement of a car or from turbulence in an airplane.
So if you experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, salivation, belching and a sense of feeling unwell during traveling, you could also be suffering from motion sickness. Here’s all that you can do to tackle it effectively:
Go easy on the food before you travel
This is the most important rule, no matter what other remedies you choose – never travel on a full stomach. Watch your consumption of drinks and alcohol before and during travel. At times, heavy, spicy, or fat-rich foods may worsen motion sickness. Escaping strong food odors may also help you avoid nausea.
Get a good car seat
Chances of you feeling good during travel are higher if you are comfortably seated in a good car seat. Make sure it is placed near a window so that you get enough fresh air during the travel. However, it’s always better to be prepared in case the inevitable happens. Keep wipes, handy towels, a spare set of clothes and water bottles in the car. Stay hydrated through the journey by having small sips of water throughout.
Distract yourself as much as possible
Too much movement in the car can worsen your condition. Do not look at the moving road in such case. Distract yourself as much as you can. Turning on soothing music is a big help. It can sometimes help to keep your gaze fixed on the horizon.
Keep a tab on the temperature
Control the temperature in the car. Make sure it’s cool enough for you not to feel too sweaty. However, it’s best to get fresh air when you feel uncomfortable. The key here is to time your travel according to how you feel. Take longer drives during your sleeping hours.
Consult your doctor beforehand
If you have developed severe motion sickness and above-mentioned strategies do not work for you, ask your doctor to prescribe medications for longer trips. Having over-the-counter medication – Meclizine (such as Bonine, Antivert, Dramamine) can be an effective preventive measure for mild cases of motion sickness.
Ginger is also known as a folk medicine for car sickness. It is as effective as Scopolamine, (commonly prescribed to prevent motion sickness) and does not have any side effects when consumed in limits.
This Blog is contributed by Dr. Rimpy kanwar. She has more than 8 years of working experience in the field of Physical Therapy. Her expertise lies in ortho-neuro and Pulmonary rehabilitation cases.