What Is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness is a sensation of sickness or nausea that occurs when you are traveling by car, boat, plane, or train. Individuals prone to motion sickness usually become nauseous due to any kind of prolonged movements. If you are on a boat or ship, this condition is referred to as seasickness, but it involves the same phenomenon. Motion sickness is mainly divided into three categories, depending on what triggers it.
Types Of Motion Sickness
Motion sickness due to motion that is felt but not seen – This type of sickness is usually felt when you are traveling by road, air, or sea. Motion sickness due to motion that is seen but not felt – This type occurs when susceptible individuals are watching movies in a theater or in space. Motion sickness caused by motion that is seen and felt but fails to correspond – It usually happens inside a centrifuge or any environment where gravity is being stimulated by a centrifugal force.
Irrespective of the type of motion sickness, the signs and symptoms are the same.
Signs And Symptoms Of Motion Sickness
Breaking out in cold sweat Dizziness Nausea An increase in salivary secretion Skin becomes pale Loss of appetite
Some individuals may also become very tired, get headaches, or have breathing problems. These symptoms most usually end up in vomiting if they are not alleviated in time. To be able to manage the symptoms of motion sickness, you need to be aware of its causes and risk factors.
Causes Of And Risk Factors For Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is a result of conflict between your senses. Imagine you are on a fair ride, and it starts moving up and down. Your eyes are sensing movement, but your muscles conflict this sense. Your brain gets confused with all these mixed signals, and this is when you end up feeling dizzy or sick. Factors that increase your risk of developing motion sickness are:
Traveling Age – Those between 2 and 12 years are more susceptible. Gender – Women are at a higher risk than men. Sleep deprivation Alcohol Smoking A history of migraine Pregnancy Poor ventilation
Most of the time, the feeling of sickness due to motion tends to ease away once your body gets accustomed to its surroundings. However, if the symptoms prevail, you can try out any of the following natural remedies for immediate relief.
Home Remedies To Cure Motion Sickness
How To Treat Motion Sickness Naturally
1. Raw Ginger
1 inch of peeled ginger You must do this whenever you are traveling for a long duration. Although the exact way in which ginger alleviates symptoms of motion sickness is unclear, many believe that the presence of gingerol and its strong flavor help ease nausea and other symptoms of motion sickness (1).
2. Essential Oils
a. Peppermint Oil
2-3 drops of peppermint oil A handkerchief
Follow this remedy as and when required. Peppermint contains menthol that eases digestion. It also has a very strong aroma that helps prevent symptoms of nausea. All these activities help in treating motion sickness (2).
b. Ginger Oil
2-3 drops of ginger oil A handkerchief
You must do this only while traveling or when you experience motion sickness. The strong aroma of ginger oil leaves you feeling better almost instantly. This is because of the antiemetic properties of ginger (3).
3. Lemon
A lemon You only have to do this when you are experience motion sickness. The acidic nature of lemons neutralizes your stomach acids and alleviates nausea. The strong and citrusy smell of lemons relieves symptoms of motion sickness (4).
4. Pickle Juice
1-2 teaspoons of pickle juice Sip on small amounts of pickle juice whenever you feel nauseous or experience motion sickness. Do this when required. This remedy is helpful if your nausea is a result of an imbalance in your electrolyte levels. Pickle juice restores your electrolytes and balances the pH in your stomach (5). This prevents nausea, vomiting, and hangovers.
5. Vitamins
B-vitamins like vitamins B6 and B12 are popularly used to alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness (6), (7). The same was also concluded by a study published in a peer-reviewed journal called Acta Astronautica in 1983. You can either take supplements for these vitamins after consulting your doctor or consume vitamin-B rich foods like fish, meat, poultry, milk, and eggs. However, do not consume any of these foods if you are already experiencing motion sickness.
6. Chamomile Tea
1 teaspoon of chamomile tea 1 cup of water
Do this whenever you travel or experience motion sickness. Chamomile tea eases anxiety and makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. These activities have a positive effect on motion sickness and help in relieving its symptoms like nausea and vomiting (8).
7. Licorice Root
1 teaspoon of licorice root 1 cup of water
You must do this only when the situation calls for it. Licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties (9). It soothes your stomach and prevents symptoms of dyspepsia (10). This reduces nausea along with the urge to vomit.
8. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated by drinking enough water and other fluids is another way to combat motion sickness. Dehydration usually worsens the symptoms of motion sickness – like vomiting and nausea.
9. Black Horehound
1 tablespoon of black horehound 1 cup of water
You can carry this tea with you while traveling and drink it only if the motion sickness begins to set in. One of the many uses of the black horehound herb is its ability to cure nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness (11). This is due to the antiemetic properties it exhibits. If you are looking for medical alternatives to cure motion sickness, there are quite a few of them as well. But, it is best to stick to natural remedies as they provide relief without causing any side effects. For instant relief, you can give any of the following treatments a shot.
Other Treatments
Medicines that are used to treat motion sickness include:
Antihistamines like Dimenhydrinate – It should be taken an hour before travel. Scopolamine
The side effects of most of these drugs include drowsiness and a dry mouth. However, these side effects are not much cause for concern. It is best to prevent the onset of motion sickness. That means you need to take some precautions before motion sickness sets in to avoid experiencing its symptoms. Listed below are a few prevention tips that will help you.
Tips To Prevent Motion Sickness
Be relaxed and don’t strain your body while traveling. Avoid activities like reading, writing, or typing in a moving vehicle. Avoid drinking alcohol, especially prior to traveling. Breathe in fresh air. Quit smoking.
When should I see a doctor for motion sickness? Check out the infographic to explore the differences between motion sickness and vertigo. Motion sickness usually subsides on its own. But if you continue vomiting, feel dizzy, notice any hearing loss, or develop chest pain or headache, it is best to consult a doctor. What is the best medicine for motion sickness? Any of the medicines mentioned above – like Scopolamine or Dimenhydrinate – can help alleviate motion sickness. All the natural remedies work great too. Where is the pressure point for motion sickness? One of the most popular pressure points known to relieve symptoms of motion sickness is the P6 (Pericardium 6) acupressure point. This point is also referred to as Nei Guan and is widely used to relieve motion sickness and its symptoms. This point is located on the inner forearm, about three finger breadths below the wrist, between the two of your tendons. How long does motion sickness last? In general, motion sickness can last up to 4 hours. However, this might vary depending on the individual’s age and the severity of the condition. Is motion sickness psychological? Yes, motion sickness is connected to both psychological and physiological attributes. Studies link motion sickness with neuroticism (a personality trait characterized by anxiety and negative emotions) in women (12). Can anxiety cause motion sickness? While anxiety might not be the direct cause of motion sickness, it can contribute to its effect and further enhance its severity (13). Can you train yourself not to get motion sickness? While currently no research supports this statement, we can train our minds to combat motion sickness. Practicing diaphragmatic breathing techniques (deep breathing) can also help you mentally prepare yourself to deal with motion sickness.
