10 Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness

Introduction

People who are familiar with motion sickness also refer to it as kinetosis or travel sickness. This neurology condition is caused by a disparity between the vestibular system’s sense of balance and the perceived movement. When both of these elements are not in sync, motion sickness takes effect. Common symptoms of motion sickness include fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. For people who experience nausea due to the onset of motion sickness, vomiting normally ensues. However, it is highly unlikely that vomiting would cause the feeling of nausea to dissipate. Instead, all symptoms of motion sickness can only be relieved when the main cause of it is addressed.

The medical field has categorized motion sickness into three distinct categories:
1.    Motion sickness caused by movements physically felt but not visually seen
o    Car sickness
o    Sea sickness
o    Spinning motion

2.    Motion sickness caused by movements visually seen but not physically felt
o    Films and videos
o    Virtual reality games

3.    Motion sickness caused by a discrepancy between both visual and movement
o    Gravity simulated environment

Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness

People with a history of motion sickness would attest to the fact that the onset of this condition can be a rather distressing event. Unfortunately, motion sickness enjoys an unwanted reputation as a medical condition that cannot be cured. Instead, sufferers have to settle for preventive measures to help manage the condition. Nonetheless, the medical profession has discovered several effective ways to aid these people.

1. Get Superior Positioning

The first rule of combating against motion sickness is to obtain the best position that experiences the least amount of movement. For example, seats in the middle of an airplane and cabins in the lower sections of a ship generally experience less motion. On the other hand, health experts also strongly recommend taking seats that are facing the direction of motion while the front seat of a car can also aid in preventing episodes of motion sickness from prevailing.

2. Eat Wisely

Given the role of food consumption in modern society, it is little wonder that specific consumption guidelines can aid in preventing motion sickness from kicking in. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and foods with strong odors have been known to increase the risk of motion sickness while eating a full meal before engaging in motion events can also cause the condition to surface. Interestingly, a 1988 study discovered that taking ginger supplements can help to quell nausea when consumed before participating in the motion activity.

3. Practice Distraction

Not many situations can call for the art of distraction but motion sickness enjoys this unique distinction. It gives the mind a better sense of focus and pulls it away from the reality of motion sickness. Instead of being a passenger, individuals can volunteer to be the designated driver. Engaging in deep conversation can also help to ease the symptoms of motion sickness. If traveling by air, individuals can try to catch up on some snooze hours before the plane takes off as well. Another technique is to focus on a fixed point, preferably somewhere along the horizon. This can induce a sense of stability to the mind and distract it from recognizing the onset of motion sickness.

4. Try Acupressure

First published in the Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine Journal, scientists from the Department of Psychology, Humboldt State University, USA documented their findings in using acupressure effective for weight loss and reduce motion sickness. 64 subjects were randomly split into four groups where only one group was given authentic acupressure treatment. At the end of the treatment period, only the acupressure group reported a significant reduction in symptoms of motion sickness.

5. Take Short Breaks

When the situation permits, schedule regular breaks throughout the journey to help keep the condition at bay. Constantly taking routine time-outs can help to prevent the onset of motion sickness as it refreshes the mind and discourages it from registering the visual and motion discrepancy. Moreover, these scheduled intervals are good opportunities to get some fresh air and engage in some stretching exercises to alleviate body aches.

6. Medication or Patch Treatment

When all else fails, the last tried-and-test method is to rely on medications or patch treatment. Medications easily available over-the-counter have been known to be effective in preventing motion sickness for mild cases or short journeys. For severe cases or longer trips, individuals can opt for a quick consultation with a health professional to obtain prescriptive medications. Patches are highly relied upon by medical practitioners as they contain the scopolamine element that specifically combats symptoms of motion sickness. However, this treatment method should only be used when prescribed by a health profession as incorrect usage can cause drowsiness and other negative side effects.

Conclusion

Although the medical field has yet to find a permanent cure for motion sickness, it does not mean that its sufferers are bound to be bugged by it for the rest of their lives. By taking a proactive stance against this condition, individuals can successfully prohibit its dominance in their lives and enable them to resume their daily functions with any obstruction. The treatment effect of the suggestions above might differ in effectiveness from one individual to the other. Nonetheless, each of these methods has been proven and individuals should be able to find benefit from at least one of them.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_sickness

http://www.medicinenet.com/tips_to_prevent_motion_sickness-page2/views.htm