Motion Sickness Relief

Kinetosis, which is commonly known as motion sickness, refers to the sensation of nausea or dizziness that is felt by some people while traveling by car, train, airplanes, and ships. It is also common for people who go for amusement park rides. It might also be accompanied by dizziness, paleness of the skin, headache, fatigue, increased salivation, and mild/severe vomiting. Though this condition is not really a cause of serious concern, it might have an adverse effect on those who have to travel frequently.

# If you are traveling by train, take a seat which is at the front and has a window next to it. It would be best to sit on a forward-facing seat. While you are resting against a seat back, keep your head still. Avoid sitting on a rear-facing seat. This method might provide relief, as it helps the eyes and the ears sense the same motion.

In an airplane, choose a seat over the front edge of a wing. This area of the plane has the least movement. Once you are aboard, you can direct the air vent flow to your face. While traveling in a car, it is advisable to sit in the front passenger's seat. If you are on a boat or a ship, sit in the middle of boat or at the upper deck of a ship.

# If you are feeling queasy while traveling, look at the objects outside. If you are in a car, look outside and view objects which are at the farthest. In a ship or a boat, observe the horizon from the top deck. All such actions will help your eyes realize that you are not still, but actually moving and the same will be conveyed to the brain.

# There are some measures that you can follow before traveling. Do not overeat and avoid the consumption of spicy or greasy foods. Abstain from smoking. If you are feeling ill, then take a break. Take a small walk. Take deep breaths.

Smelling crushed leaves of lemon also reduces the feeling of nausea. You can also take over-the-counter antiemetic medicines from the chemist. Adults can consider taking scopolamine patches while traveling by air. However, consult a doctor before using it.

While the inner ear helps to detect the sense of movement, your eyes let the body realize its movement in different directions. The skin receptors send information to the brain about which parts of the body are touching the ground. Muscles and joint receptors alert the brain about its position and the movement of muscles.

When all these functions are coordinated, the brain can collate all the signals from these different parts of the body, and determine what the person is doing at that moment. However, when there is something amiss in the processing of the signals, the brain tends to get confused and this is when you suffer from motion sickness.

This can further be explained with the help of an example. It is common for people to feel queasy when they are traveling in car and at the same time, reading a book. This happens because your inner ear and skin receptors signal the brain that you are moving forward.

Although following the aforementioned measures can help you manage motion sickness, it is wise to carry a few plastic bags in your car or wherever you can. Using a bag is a better option than sticking your head out of the vehicle's window and letting others share your misery.

Disclaimer: This information is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.