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Definition of Motion Sickness

People who get car sick, air sick or sea sick are all experiencing the same discomfort caused by motion sickness. While there are some preventative medicines that can help make it less likely that someone will get sick, people who are prone to motion sickness suffer to some degree whenever they travel.

  1. Symptoms

    • The symptoms of motion sickness include feeling nauseated, vomiting and dizziness. It only happens in a moving vehicle like a car, bus, boat or plane. Some very sensitive individuals might also feel sick in amusement park rides or even in an elevator. The first sign of motion sickness might be that the victim gets pale. As the discomfort becomes more severe, they might break out in a sweat.

    Who Gets Motion Sickness?

    • Half of all children who travel experience some degree of motion sickness, according to the Centers For Disease Control. The CDC also claims that almost everyone on a boat sailing in very rough water gets sea sick. This explains the little vomit bags that airlines provide in the seat pocket for passengers. When someone feels the effects of motion sickness to the point of vomiting, it usually erupts suddenly. Having the bags in easy reach is a kind way to guard someone's privacy.

    Considerations

    • People who are prone to motion sickness cannot read while riding in a car. They need to face forward in the vehicle. The problem will get worse if there are strong odors or if the road is hilly or has many curves. Motion sickness can be worse when a woman is pregnant or menstruating, especially if she suffers from it anyway.

    Causes

    • Ear, nose and throat specialists explain that motion sickness affects people's inner ears, which are key to our vestibular system. The liquid in the inner ear acts to help us sense the direction of motion. The eyes are also involved with motion sickness because we use them to determine where our body is. Motion sickness can also be related to the places on our skin and in our joints that sense pressure, and to the central nervous system in general.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Some over-the-counter medicines like Dramamine contain dimenhydrinate, which is effective to prevent motion sickness. Doctors can prescribe stronger medicines like scopolamine or some antihistamines, which are known to help. People who prefer to treat motion sickness naturally find products that contain ginger helpful in curbing the symptoms of motion sickness.

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