MOTION SICKNESS

Motion Sickness: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Motion sickness arises from a conflict between vestibular (inner ear) and visual sensations, commonly occurring during movement on a boat (seasickness), airplane (airsickness), or any vehicle causing bodily motion (car sickness, bus sickness, amusement ride sickness). Additionally, motion sickness can result from purely visual stimuli like video games or panoramic movies.

Symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Yawning
• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Pallor

Prevention:

• Choose specific seats to minimize motion effects (front of the plane, front seat in a car, center of a boat).
• Consider taking an antiemetic 30 minutes before departure or applying a patch 12 hours before (consult with your pharmacist for potential contraindications).
• Eat a small meal before the journey, avoiding fatty foods.
• Suck on lemon-flavored candies or chew gum during the trip.
• Ensure your stomach is never empty.
• Stay calm if feeling faint and focus on the horizon.
• Avoid reading or smoking.
• Stay in a well-ventilated area.

For more information, refer to “Essential Information for a Safe Trip.”