Motion Sickness: Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies
2022-07-06 11:31:42
People often struggle with issues such as nausea and anxiety while traveling. This problem is known as motion sickness in medical language. It is characterized by sweating, dizziness and restlessness. Motion sickness is most common in children from 5 to 12 years, women and the elderly. Let's study in detail about motion sickness through this article.
What is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness is a physical discomfort (vomiting) in a state of motion. It usually doesn't cause any long-term problems but the symptoms can put a person in distress especially if you are travelling for a long time. In most cases, the body adapts to this condition.
Symptoms of Motion Sickness
The most common symptoms of motion sickness are nausea and anxiety. In addition, other symptoms are
- Feeling of discomfort.
- Lack of interest in eating.
- Sour belching.
- Blurred appearance.
- Severe headache.
- Excessive secretion of saliva in the mouth.
- Frequent yawning.
- Dizziness.
- Feeling like vomiting constantly.
- Heavy sweating.
- Feeling difficult to concentrate.
- Inability to walk in severe cases.
Why does Motion Sickness happen?
When the brain receives conflicting messages from the sensory system (inner ear, eyes, muscles and sensory receptors), the brain produces many mixed signals. As a result, signs and symptoms of the disease appear whilemoving. This problem usually occurs while traveling.
Causes of Motion Sickness
There is no known cause of motion sickness. Some of the main reasons are
- Height swing.
- Lack of interest in eating.
- Sour belching.
- Blurred appearance.
- Severe headache.
- Excessive secretion of saliva in the mouth.
- Frequent yawning.
- Dizziness.
- Feeling like vomiting constantly.
Risk Factors for Motion Sickness
- Vertigo (a feeling of dizziness and fear)
- Migraine problems
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy
- Menstruation
Prevention for Motion Sickness
- Avoid seeing people who vomit while traveling.
- Do not eat oily and spicy food during the trip.
- Avoid smoking and consumption of other nicotine substances.
- Avoid reading books while traveling.
- Do not sit facing backwards in buses.
- Breathe slowly and deeply as you travel.
- Don't look outside while sitting near a window seat while travelling.
Home Remedies for Motion Sickness
- Ginger:Ginger is a natural remedy to prevent motion sickness. Its consumption helps prevent gastric arrhythmias (a strange feeling in the stomach) and increases plasma vasopressin (a hormone). Thus, it is useful in motion sickness. Just chew small pieces of ginger during the trip.
- Mint:Motion sickness symptoms can be reduced by consuming mint tea. Mint has an antiemetic effect that reduces nausea and vomiting. Place a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton swab and smell it.
- Lemon:Consuming lemon is very beneficial to get relief in motion sickness. Using it while traveling will reduce the problem of vomiting or nausea to some extent. Squeeze a lemon in a glass of water and drink it.
- Pickle:Motion sickness symptoms like nausea, vomiting, restlessness, etc., can upset the electrolyte balance in the body. This makes the problem even more complex. In this case, consuming pickles will be beneficial as it controls electrolyte levels in the body and also maintains the good taste of the mouth.
- Chamomile tea:Drinking chamomile tea is also considered good for motion sickness. It acts as a digestive relaxant and helps to cope with a strange feeling in the stomach.
- Licorice root:Licorice root is effective in treating motion sickness. It reduces many stomach problems like nausea and vomiting. Therefore, consuming a decoction of licorice root is considered a good remedy for motion sickness.
- Acupressure:Acupressure can provide tremendous relief in motion sickness. To do this, identify the raised or uneven part just below your wrist and press your middle and index fingers on it for up to 30 seconds.
- Ice:If you're in a situation where you can't find any other remedy, sucking an ice cube can be an easy way to relieve motion sickness.
Medications to Prevent Motion Sickness
While home remedies are effective, medications are also a great way to prevent motion sickness and are best taken before you travel.
- Scopolamine:It is the most commonly prescribed medicine for motion sickness. It must be taken before symptoms appear. It is available as a patch that is placed behind the ear 6-8 hours before the trip.
- Promethazine:It should be taken 2 hours before travelling. The effect lasts 6-8 hours. Side effects can include drowsiness and dry mouth.
- Cyclizine:It is the most effective medicine when taken at least 30 minutes before a trip. It is not recommended for children under the age of 6 years.
- Dimenhydrinate:It is great in relieving the symptoms of motion sickness. It should be taken every 4-8 hours.
- Meclizine (Bonine):Most effective medicine taken 1 hour before travelling. It is not recommended for children under 12 years of age as side effects may include drowsiness and dry mouth.
- Note:Do not take medicines without consulting your doctor as they might cause certain side effects while reacting differently for each body type.
When to see a doctor?
Motion sickness usually goes away once the trip is over. But if the feeling of vomiting, stomach irritation, headache, or chest pain persist for a longer duration, call your doctor.