Motion Sickness Remedies

What can be done to prevent motion sickness? What are the remedies?

Previously, there is an article on ‘What is motion sickness?’ After we have understood about motion sickness – all types of travel sickness such as sea sickness, air sickness and car sickness, here we discussed more about how to prevent motion sickness.

Man has tried to treat this motion illness since antiquity, when the primary means of travel was by wooden canoes. Many types of plant and food remedies have been used in vain. There are proven ways to help alleviate this disorder. Below is a list of motion sickness remedies you can refer to:

Minimize conflicting sensory information. This may be done by staying at the center of a ship or sitting in the wing section of an aeroplane where there are fewer rocking movements. Another helpful technique is to look at the horizon when in a boat or plane or to sit in the front seat of a car. These maneuvers will restore the harmony of the data coming from the visual and vestibular senses.

Meals and psychological adjustment. Eat only small, low-fat starchy meals before and during your trip. Try to relax and rest. Anxiety can stimulate many of the same hormonal reactions that cause nausea. Keep busy with thoughts. In one study, subjects asked to solve mental problems were less likely to develop motion sickness.

Adaptation. Our brains are able to adjust to motion sickness within a couple of days, for example, seasoned sailors seldom become seasick. The brain adapts simply by ignoring some of the conflicting information.

Medications. There are a number of mediations that will reduce the effects of motion sickness. Most have unpleasant side effects such as drowsiness, muscle spasm, tremor or blurred vision. To be effective, they should be taken before a trip. The three classes of drugs effective against motion sickness are antihistamines (such as dimenhydrinate and promethazine hydrochloride), anticholinergics (such as scopolamine) and the dopamine antagonists (such as metoclopramide).

Scopolamine is easily administered as a skin patch (Transderm Scop). It should be applied behind the ear about for hours before a trip, its effect will last up to 72 hours. Potential side effects include dry mouth, dilated pupils, blurred vision and bladder obstruction in men. Those suffering from glaucoma (increased pressure within the eyeball) should avoid this and all other anticholergenic medications.

When taking any motion sickness medication, avoid driving or using machinery since the medication can impair concentration. Furthermore, do not take the medication with alcohol, tranquillizers or other depressant drugs, since they will increase its sedative effects.

Other methods. Recent research has demonstrated relief of motion sickness by a technique resembling acupuncture without needles. Essentially, a pressure device is applied to areas of the body such as the wrist and then worn during trips.