Do you also get motion sickness when traveling? (Motion Sickness) Let's talk about this!

Do you feel dizzy, nauseous, or sick to your stomach when you're on a bus, car, or van? Some people experience this discomfort while traveling on a boat, ship, or even an amusement park ride. This is a very annoying experience that can ruin the fun of a fun trip. This common problem that many people have is medically known as 'Motion Sickness'. Today, we'll talk about it in a very simple way.

Why do we get this 'motion sickness'? What is happening inside our bodies?

This is very simple. Simply put, this happens because your brain is getting conflicting messages. That means the brain is a bit 'messy'. Let's understand this with an example.

Imagine you are sitting in the back seat of a car.

• Your eyes: Your eyes see the trees, poles, and buildings outside the window moving rapidly backward. Then your eyes send a signal to your brain that says, "We are moving faster now."
• Your body (especially your inner ear): At the same time, your inner ear, which is the main part of your body that controls balance, and your muscles sense that you are sitting in one place, that is, on the seat. So these parts send a signal to the brain that says, "No, we are not moving, we are in one place."

Now look, two messages are coming to the brain at the same time. One says 'we are going', and the other says 'we are not going'. When the brain can't handle these two contradictory messages at once, it becomes confused. As a result of that confusion, you experience discomforts like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sweating. This is what we call `Motion Sickness`.

What are the main symptoms of motion sickness?

These symptoms can sometimes start slowly and increase, or they can appear suddenly. These are the most common symptoms.

Are there any risk factors that increase the risk of this condition?

Yes, some people are more prone to motion sickness than others.

• Age: This condition is more common in children between the ages of 2 and 12 than in adults.
• Family history: If your mother, father, or siblings have this problem, you are more likely to develop it too.
• For women: This condition can be more common due to hormonal changes, especially during menstruation and pregnancy .
• Migraine: People with migraine headaches are more prone to motion sickness.
• Inner ear diseases: This can also easily develop in people with inner ear diseases related to balance, for example, `(Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - BPPV)`.
• Other medical conditions: People with certain neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, are also at higher risk.

Can motion sickness cause serious problems?

Generally, ``Motion Sickness`` is not a serious health problem. Once the journey is over, that is, once you get off the vehicle or land on the boat, these discomforts gradually disappear.

However, very rarely, some people can become dehydrated due to persistent vomiting. This means that the body loses water. It can also cause low blood pressure (hypotension). If vomiting continues and you are unable to keep anything down, it is best to seek medical advice.

What can you do to reduce discomfort when it occurs?

If you experience symptoms of `motion sickness` while traveling, try these things to get some relief.

• Get some fresh air: If you're in a car or bus, open the window a little. If you're on a plane, turn the air vent above your seat toward you.
• Change your direction of vision: If you're reading a book or looking at your phone, stop. Instead, look in the direction of the vehicle, at a distant point, such as the horizon. This will help your eyes and inner ears receive the same message.
• Close your eyes: If possible, recline your seat back a little and close your eyes. This will reduce the conflicting messages coming to your brain.
• A little ginger will help: Ginger is a great remedy for nausea. Try ginger tea, ginger ale, or ginger-infused toffee.
• Try Peppermint: Eating a mint candy or chewing gum can also help reduce nausea for some people.
• Special glasses and bracelets: There are special glasses and bracelets made specifically for `motion sickness`. Although there is no strong medical evidence that these are 100% effective, some people say that they provide relief.

How can you prepare in advance to prevent motion sickness?

"Precaution is better than cure," they say. A little planning before you travel can greatly reduce this inconvenience.

1. Take care of your food and drink before the trip.

Many people think that vomiting will not occur if the stomach is empty. But that is not true. Nausea can occur even if the stomach is empty. So do these things:

• Drink plenty of water before your trip.
• Eat a light meal a few hours before your trip. Eat something low in oil and chili, like bread, rice, and vegetables.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These can worsen stomach upset.

2. The seating position in the vehicle is very important!

Depending on where you sit, you may be more or less likely to get motion sickness. Whenever possible, sit facing the direction of travel.

3. Can I use medications?

Yes, there are medications that can be given to prevent `motion sickness`. But you should definitely talk to your doctor before using these.

• Antihistamines: Some antihistamines used for allergies can help prevent motion sickness. An example is Dramamine® (dimenhydrinate). The important thing is to use a drowsy type. Non-drowsy types will not help.
• Patches: There is a skin patch called ``Transderm Scop®`` that contains a drug called ``Scopolamine.`` This should be applied to the skin behind the ear at least 4 hours before travel. This helps control nausea and vomiting. However, it can cause side effects such as dry mouth. These are usually only recommended for adults.

When should you see a doctor?

``Motion sickness`` is usually not something to be afraid of. However, if you have these symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor.

• If you experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness even when you're not traveling .
• If nausea and vomiting continue for several days .
• If you are showing signs of dehydration due to vomiting (e.g. dry mouth and lips, decreased amount and frequency of urination, feeling lethargic).

`Motion sickness` is something that can completely ruin your fun trip or vacation. But now you know why it happens and what you can do about it. Follow these tips before your next trip. If the discomfort is too much, talk to your doctor and get appropriate treatment.