People get motion sickness, which causes them nausea, sweating, and some discomfort, which eradicates all excitement of a trip within minutes. A trip can be a road journey, cruise, or a flight.
There are a few effective tips and treatments that would make it possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of such sickness and reduce its symptoms to the closest minimal level possible.
Motion sickness: Causes and Symptoms
Perception is central to the problem – the brain gets conflicting messages. Sitting in a car, reading a book, and then your eyes may report that you are stationary; the inner ear, however, feels the car’s motion. Figuring this conflict signals brain motion sickness, resulting in discomfort, warmness, excess salivation, aggravating sweat, and, in some extreme cases, nausea and vomiting.
For those who know they can get motion sickness, medication taken before travel offers one of the most effective prevention strategies:
Fast-Acting Medicament Alternates
The best way to prevent travel-related illness, especially for those who already know that they are more predisposed to it, is by taking the dose before the journey.
Over-The-Counter Alternates
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine):
This is antihistamine that is easily available and avoids and treats motion sickness when taken an hour before.
- Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy):
Another antihistamine, which results in less drowsiness. Dramamine is more appropriate in situations where one must be fully alert. Both drugs can be taken as and when required in eight-hour intervals during prolonged trips.
Prescription Measures
If severe motion sickness is not alleviated by over-the-counter options and continues to be a problem for patients, several prescription drugs can be considered:
Scopolamine patch (Transderm-Scop):
This adhesive patch is applied to the skin behind a patient’s ear at least 4 hrs – 12 hrs before departure and is effective continuously for up to 72 hours. This patch functions across the body by impeding certain neurotransmitter chemicals in the body’s response to motion sickness.
Immediate Alternative Strategies That Do Not Require Medications
If you are caught in the situation of experiencing motion sickness without access to drugs, there are some methods to decrease the unpleasant feeling:
- In automobiles: Park yourself in the front seat of the car, then fixate on something at a greater distance, or be the driver (this tends to prevent drivers from getting nauseated)
- On ships: Pick cabins away from the ship’s sides or further down the ship
- Use forward-facing seats when riding in buses or trains.
- Try to have places on aircraft towards the end of the wings to avoid motion sickness from an airplane.
Body Structure and Concentration Approaches
- Arms should be restrained while normal breathing is practiced.
- While feeling physically unwell and dizzy, one should not read any articles which significantly amplify the problem.
- Keep your eyes set on a picture of a still object found at the rear of the vehicle.
- Calm down by focusing on inhaling and exhaling when feeling overwhelmed.
Long Term Solutions
While a cure for motion sickness is currently unavailable, the problem can be mitigated by desensitization and repeated exposure to the problem. The brain can bypass the conflict through exposure to motion in a way that military pilots resist sensory bombardment by being exposed to it on a regular basis (with an effectiveness rate of over 80%).
Home Treatment Plans
For someone who frequently travels or has extreme motion sickness that interferes with their day-to-day work, seeking help from a Medical Professional is advocated. They will be able to go through your case in particular and suggest appropriate therapy falling within the range of prescription medications, which are usually more potent than the over-the-counter varieties.
To carry out a successful trip with the least inconvenience, most patients can reach adequate comfort and compliance with the measures that need to be implemented. When you follow these measures, you won’t get motion sickness while traveling.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
