MOTION SICKNESS
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From preventing you to enjoy a nice sailboat ride to making you miserable for hours in a crammed bus, motion sickness can really cast a shadow on your vacation. There are ways to lessen the effects and make you a little more comfortable during transits.
Understanding Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is a disturbance of the central nervous system in response to an unexpected stimulation of your balance system. To put it simply, the brain can get confused when there’s a disconnect between the sensation in your inner ear, what your eyes see and how your body moves . Many factors influence motion sickness; age, hormones and medical conditions (pregnancy, migraine, Parkinson, etc.). To help prevent and cope with motion sickness, you can tackle the conflictual sensory inputs and try to alleviate the symptoms (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, hot flashes or cold sweats, excessive drooling, drowsiness and an overall sense of unease).
Before
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The best thing you can do to prepare yourself for an unpleasant ride is to eat a light meal, be adequately hydrated and steer clear of booze and stimulants (like sugar and caffeine). If you have many transportation options, choose the least likely to trigger your symptoms; car (if driving) or train. Your place in the vehicle will impact your well-being . Looking out will help reduce brain confusion, so choose a window seat. Pick the most stable spot, that is near the wing in a plane and in the front of a car/bus/train. If you can’t choose your seat, try at least to sit facing forward. If you’re going on a cruise ship, book an outside cabin (with a window), midship, as close to water level as possible (lower decks). Preventative medication can be taken prior to departure, like promethazine, cyclizine, dimenhydrinate and meclizine. While very effective, be aware that they usually cause drowsiness. It might be a good idea to test the medication before your trip to know exactly what to expect, as feeling drowsy is inconvenient, if not dangerous, when travelling alone. Talk to your healthcare provider to know the best option for you. In any case, carry a plastic bag , just in case.
During
Looking at the horizon is a great way to regulate your nervous system. However, if you feel overwhelmed, close your eyes, breathe deeply and try to take a nap . While odours can be triggering during an episode, certain essential oils used in aromatherapy can help coping with the symptoms. Inhaling mint or ginger helps with nausea and lavender might be beneficial if your discomfort is exacerbated by anxiety. Acupressure wrist bands are an inexpensive alternative to medication, but their effectiveness is somewhat questionable. Distract yourself with music or conversations, but avoid reading and activities that require concentration . When possible, walking around and getting fresh air will make you feel better. A little hand fan might come in handy if you’re stuck inside. Chewing on things is also a simple yet effective way to relieve mild discomfort. Gum as the added benefit of the mint, but chewing on anything helps reduce the brain-balance confusion. Ginger has been proven effective in treating mild cases of motion sickness and is available in many forms (raw roots, capsules, candies, etc.).
After
Symptoms can linger after the ride ended, so plan chill time after transits . If motion sickness is severe or interferes with your occupation, your healthcare provider could prescribe you a more specific treatment, like scopolamine or biofeedback therapy.
