As winter approaches in Riyadh, so begins all the fun! What will it be this year? Road trips to different parts of Saudi Arabia, getting on rides at Winter Wonderland, or cross-country flights to visit family and friends? Planning a trip to a new place can be so exciting – until you remember that those bumpy car rides, turbulent flights, and even amusement park rides can make you feel dizzy and sick.
Motion sickness is a common disturbance of the balance system which includes but is not limited to the inner ear. It leads to nausea, sweating, and drowsiness which some people experience when the balance system is stimulated in an unexpected way.
What causes motion sickness?
Your brain senses movement by getting signals from your ears, eyes, muscles and joints. When there’s a disconnect between what our eyes see and what our inner ear is telling us and how we are moving, our brain may not know whether we are stationary or moving. For example, you might become airsick because your eyes cannot see the turbulence that is tossing the plane from side to side. According to the Genetics Home Reference Journal, motion sickness tends to cluster in families. You’re comparatively more likely to have motion sickness if you have a family member who is highly susceptible to it.
How to prevent motion sickness?
Motion sickness can occur with any mode of travel: on a plane, train, bus, car or boat. To lessen your chances of feeling ill, it’s important to choose your seat wisely such as
-the front seat of a car,
-the forward cars of a train
-the middle of the boat on the upper deck or
-the wing seat on a plane
Being able to predict the physical motion of the vehicle or actually being able to see outside of the vehicle in the direction of travel can often be helpful.
Look forward at a fixed point on the horizon and avoid close visual tasks. If possible, lean your head against the headrest to minimize movement and stand up if you feel queasy. It’s also important to avoid distractions like phones, tablets and books. Motion sickness can be worsened by reading or using your smartphone or by being on a winding road.
Don’t forget to eat the right food before and during travel. In the hours before you travel, avoid greasy foods but make sure to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. While traveling, eat dry crackers and avoid cigarette smoke.
Breathe in soothing mint, ginger, or lavender scents and go for candies made with peppermint or ginger.
If your child gets motion sickness, be sure to keep plastic bags handy in case they throw up. If they’re over 12 years old, have them ride in the front of the car. If they’re younger, have them sit in the middle seat so they can look forward toward the road.
How to treat motion sickness?
As per AAFP recommendations, medications are most effective when combined with behavioral strategies mentioned above.
- You can head to your local pharmacy and look for over-the-counter antihistamines that can both prevent and treat it such as meclizine, dimenhydrinate, and diphenhydramine.
- People who have motion sickness are also more prone to migraine headaches. Both migraine and motion sickness sufferers tend to share the same symptoms of nausea, dizziness, and headaches, according to a study done linking migraine and motion sickness. Getting proper treatment for your migraine can sometimes help with motion sickness.
- If you have severe motion sickness, prescription scopolamine pills (an anticholinergic) or a skin patch are other options. Neurologists recommend applying the patch to the skin behind the ear can help prevent motion sickness for up to three days.
When should you call your doctor?
If you experience chronic persistent nausea or vomiting, having motion sickness symptoms when you’re not involved in a moving activity, and/or have signs of dehydration.
I hope you have a motion sickness-free and better experience when you travel soon.
Dr. Salma Siddiqua earned her MBBS from Batterjee Medical College for Sciences and Technology in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She is currently working as a pediatrician in the Ministry of Health Hospitals in Riyadh. She has particular interests in Research and Pediatric Cardiology. She is also a mental health advocate.
