Motion sickness (2024)

FAQs

Motion sickness? ›

The symptoms of motion sickness can be diverse, ranging from the most common, nausea and vomiting, too cold sweating, pallor, headache, drowsiness, yawning, loss of appetite and increased salivation. [2][6] Typically, an inciting event or exposure to an unfamiliar motion precedes symptoms of motion sickness.

Causes. Motion sickness happens when the body, the inner ear, and the eyes send conflicting signals to the brain. This most often happens when you are in a car, boat, or airplane, but it may also happen on flight simulators or amusem*nt park rides.

Medications or illness

If you have sinus congestion or a sinus or ear infection or have recently had a concussion, you may be more prone to motion sickness. People who get migraines are also more likely to get motion sickness.

Sips of cold water or a carbonated drink, like seltzer or ginger ale, may also help curb your nausea. Skip caffeinated beverages, like coffee and certain sodas, which may contribute to dehydration that can make nausea worse. Other good choices can include milk and apple juice.

That said, many studies show that as a whole, Dramamine is more effective at preventing motion sickness, though it is less convenient given the dosing. Another option is scopolamine, which is commonly known as the round patch placed behind one's ear.

All symptoms of motion sickness usually go away in 4 hours after stopping the motion. As for the future, people usually don't outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.

LET YOUR EYES SEE THE MOVEMENT When motion sickness hits, it's natural to want to keep your eyes shut or lie down, but Dr. Derebery recommends doing the opposite.

What medication is used for travel sickness? ›

Adults >50 years are less susceptible to motion sickness. Pregnancy, menstruation, and taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives have also been identified as potential risk factors. People with a history of migraines, vertigo, and vestibular disorders are more prone to motion sickness.

Motion sickness stems from the discord between visual and vestibular cues, while vertigo is a consequence of inner ear dysfunction, sending inaccurate signals to the brain about your body's position and movement. Understanding these differences can be crucial for effective management and treatment.

P6 acupressure point PI - UpToDate. Pressure or massage at the P6 acupressure point might help relieve motion sickness. The point is found three finger-widths away from the wrist, roughly in the middle of the forearm. The spot is shown in this picture by the tip of the pen.

Problems caused by motion sickness usually go away soon after the motion stops. Sometimes it can take a few days for symptoms to go away. Motion sickness can be treated with either over-the-counter or prescription medicine. The medicines come as pills, a patch, or a shot.

Mechanical stimulation of the mastoid and diverting attention to pleasant stimuli-like odors or music have been found to ameliorate VIMS. Chewing gum combines both in an easy-to-administer fashion and should thus be an effective countermeasure against VIMS.