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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.