Motion Sickness

What is it?

Nausea caused by motion.

Symptoms:

• Fatigue

• Cold sweats

• Headache

• Irritability

• Pale skin

• Rapid breathing

• Dizziness

• Vomiting

• Nausea

Plan of Action:

Usually quiets down as soon as the motion stops. The more you travel, the more easily you'll adjust to being in motion.

If you're susceptible to motion sickness:

• Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Don't read or use electronic devices while traveling.

• Keep your head still, while resting against a seat back.

• Don't smoke and don't sit near smokers.

• Avoid strong odors, spicy and greasy foods, and alcohol.

• Take an antihistamine, which you can buy without a prescription. Medicines include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Driminate, others) and meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy, Travel-Ease, others). Take these medicines at least 30 to 60 minutes before you travel. Expect drowsiness as a side effect.

• Consider scopolamine, available in a prescription adhesive patch called Transderm Scop. Several hours before you plan to travel, apply the patch behind your ear for 72-hour protection. Talk to your health care provider before using the medicine if you have health problems such as glaucoma or urine retention.

• Try ginger. A ginger supplement combined with ginger snaps, ginger ale, or candied ginger might help curb nausea.

• Eat lightly. Some people find that nibbling on plain crackers and sipping cold water or a carbonated drink without caffeine help.