Causes and Cures of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is the feeling of nausea, fatigue and disorientation caused by head motion. Women, particularly if they are pregnant or menstruating, and kids ages three through 10 are the most affected by motion sickness. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, read over the types, causes and symptoms, and use the cures and prevention techniques below to ease or eliminate your suffering.

Types

• You can get motion sickness from several sources, including riding in car, bus or train, being on a ship or boat, or sitting in a plane. Car sickness is the most common type of motion sickness.

Causes

• The movement during a car, the swell of the ocean rocking a ship or boat back and forth, or the turbulence while traveling by plain are the main causes of motion sickness. Lack of ventilation due to smoke and gas fumes and spatial disorientation contribute to motion sickness attacks, and the smell of food or tobacco can push you over the edge and cause vomiting.

  Space and simulation sickness are rarer causes of motion sickness. Some astronauts suffer from space sickness due to the gravitational pull and the body's adjustment to different pressure in airspace. People who sit on a simulator of in front of a computer with motion onscreen can experience sickness due either to the illusion of motion or a perception of movement that differs from the muscles and eyes.

Symptoms

• The first warning of motion sickness involves paling of the skin, which is then followed by a sense of restlessness and tiredness. The symptoms progressively get worse, perhaps waxing and waning if you have more resistance. But you will know you are in the full throes of motion sickness when you have an upset stomach, dizziness, sweating and the urge to vomit.

Cures

• If you can't control motion sickness symptoms, several types of treatments exist to help. Over-the-counter antihistamines like meclizine cause drowsiness which reduces the feel of spatial disorientation. Dimenhydrinate is similar and available in liquid form for children over one-year-old, whereas cyclizine can be used for anyone older than five years and is most effective for short automobile trips. Promethazine is one of the most effective motion sickness drugs on the market; one dose lasts as long as eight hours. All of these should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to traveling to be most effective.

  As far as natural alternatives, ginger is often used for gastrointestinal issues. Most often, people drink ginger tea or consume powdered ginger capsules, although some swear by just chewing on raw ginger an hour before traveling. For others, taking a spoonful of brown sugar or eating candy may minimize the effects of motion sickness.

Prevention

• In order to lessen the likelihood of motion sickness, avoid strong food or tobacco odors, and don't consume too much food and drink before you travel. Especially avoid alcohol and spicy or fatty foods.

  If you are traveling by airplane, choose a window seat in the middle of the aircraft over the wing (as it is the calmest area) or sit in the front of the plane where there is less noise.

  On a ship, you'll experience less motion in the cabins located near the center of the ship on the lower decks. While you're in a boat, sit in the middle and keep your eyes on the horizon.

  For car, bus or train rides, don't read, keep your head still, and fix your eyes on the horizon instead of the passing scenery. Close your eyes to avoid looking at trees or buildings or other vehicles, if you must.