Do you also feel uncomfortable when traveling? Let's talk about Motion Sickness

Are you one of those people who feels dizzy, uncomfortable, and nauseous when you travel on a bus, van, or boat? Even the thought of traveling makes you feel nauseous, doesn't it? This is actually a common experience for many people. In medical terms, we call this condition motion sickness . Some people also call it 'travel fatigue '. So today, let's talk about this very simply, why it happens, and what you can do to prevent it.

Why is this really happening to us?

This is a very strange thing. Simply put, it happens because of a conflict of messages coming to our brain. There are several main parts of our body that detect movement. These are our eyes , our inner ear , and our muscles and joints .

Imagine this: You're reading a book on your phone while riding a bus on a mountain road.

• Your eyes see the phone screen, which is not moving. So the eyes send a message to the brain, "This is in one place, not moving."
• But the parts of your inner ear that control your body's balance are very sensitive to the jolts and turns of the bus. So the inner ear sends a message to the brain, "No, no, this one is moving too fast."

Now the brain is getting two conflicting messages. The brain can't figure out whether you're moving or not. That confusion is what we experience as symptoms like nausea , dizziness , and sweating .

There are several situations where this situation can occur:

• When traveling in cars, buses, boats, trains or planes.
• When going on rides at amusement parks.
• When playing some video games .
• When experiencing virtual reality ( VR ).

Surveys show that one in three people in the world will experience motion sickness at some point in their lives. Women and children under the age of 12 are slightly more likely to develop it.

What are the reasons that make this condition more likely to occur?

Some people are more at risk of developing this condition than others. The table below lists some factors that may contribute to this.

What are the symptoms of this?

Motion sickness is usually not serious, but these symptoms can start suddenly and make your trip unpleasant.

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sudden anger (Irritability)
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Feeling cold and sweating
• Increased salivation
• Increased breathing rate
• Inability to focus on something

These symptoms usually go away completely within 24 hours after you stop moving. However, in rare cases, some people may not be able to stop vomiting. This can lead to dehydration , which is the loss of water in the body, and electrolyte imbalances .

What can you do to prevent this before traveling?

If you know you have this problem, it's very important to do some planning before you travel.

Remember, the more you prepare in advance, the easier your journey will be.

Before and during the trip

• Be careful about your diet: Don't eat too much before and during the journey. Avoid oily, spicy, and sour foods. Eat only simple, light meals as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of water: Avoid alcohol completely. Instead, drink plenty of water.
• If you are taking medication: If you have medication for motion sickness, take it an hour or two before your trip. Talk to your doctor about this and get advice.
• Sleep well: Get a good night's sleep and rest the night before your trip.
• Avoid smoking: Cigarette smoke can make this condition worse.
• Try ginger: Ginger is a great remedy for nausea. You can try candied ginger, ginger ale, or ginger supplements.

Things to do in the vehicle

• Avoid looking at your phone/reading books: Stop looking at your phone or reading books while traveling. Instead, look out the window at a distant place .
• Get good ventilation: If possible, open the window a little. Turn the AC vent towards you.
• Distract yourself: listen to music, talk to someone.
• When nausea strikes: Eat something dry, like plain crackers.

Choose the best seat in the car

Where you sit in the car also has a big impact on this.

If your child has this problem...

This is very common for young children to have this condition. Here are some ways you can help them.

• Change the focus: talk to it, sing songs, play with it.
• Check the nap time: If your child naps during the day, plan to leave at that time.
• Ask your doctor about medication: Some allergy medications (antihistamines) can help with this too. But be sure to ask your doctor about the correct dosage before giving your child any medication. These medications can make you drowsy.
• When it's hard: If possible, stop the car and let the child get out and walk around for a bit. Let them close their eyes and lie down for a while. Placing a wet cloth on their forehead can also help.

Treatment for Motion Sickness

If prevention methods cannot control it, there are several treatments available.

• Antihistamines: These are usually given for allergies. However, antihistamines that cause drowsiness can also help with motion sickness. Examples include (Dimenhydrinate), (Meclizine), and (Diphenhydramine).
• Scopolamine patch: This is a patch that is applied to the skin. It prevents vomiting and nausea. It should be applied to the skin behind the ear at least 4 hours before traveling. After 3 days, it can be removed and a new one applied. This is only approved for adults. Side effects such as dry mouth may occur.
• Motion Sickness Bands: These are bands worn on the wrist. They are said to control symptoms by applying pressure to specific acupressure points on the wrist.

When should I see a doctor?

Although this is usually not serious, you should definitely see your doctor for advice in the following cases:

• If you are showing signs of dehydration (e.g., dry mouth, decreased urine output, extreme fatigue).
• If you are vomiting continuously .
• The most important thing: If you experience symptoms like nausea and dizziness even when you're just standing around, without any travel, it could be a symptom of another medical condition.