Different Ways To Combat Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is caused by the motion associated with travel by ship, air or car, or any activity that is accompanied by irregular motion.

When a susceptible person is exposed to adequate amounts of such accelerated stress (motion), symptoms may occur. Such symptoms may include nausea, sweating, salivation, and drowsiness.

Motion sickness begins in the inner ear. The above mentioned motion causes fluid changes in the semicircular canals of the inner ear, making it unable to maintain a state of equilibrium.

Nausea is the sensation leading to the urge to vomit. To vomit is to force the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.

Although susceptibility among individuals varies widely, motion sickness generally occurs when the body is subjected to accelerations of movement in different directions or under conditions in which visual stimuli, poor ventilation, and anxiety act in concert with linear or angular motion to precipitate an attack. Cyclic nausea, vomiting, and vertigo often are the primary symptoms, but hyperventilation, pallor, cold sweats, and headache also are common.

Treating motion sickness can be accomplished by the prophylactic administration of antihistamines that have significant anticholinergic effects, but some evidence does support the use of nonpharmacologic therapies, such as ginger preparations and acupressure in traditional Chinese medicine.

Minimize activities or surroundings that make your nausea worse - sit over the wing of the plane; ride in the front seat of the car and watch the road; stay on deck in the middle of the ship.

Don't stare at waves or moving objects; instead, look out at a spot 45 degrees above the horizon.

Fresh air may help. If possible, open a window, or sit or take a walk outside.

Try activities to keep your mind occupied, such as needlework, reading, crossword puzzles or listening to music (sometimes reading or watching a movie can make it worse)

Recline and try to sleep.

Mild nausea may be relieved by pressing down hard with a thumb or finger (for a minute or two) on the groove between the two large tendons (two inches up from, and on the inside of, your wrist) that run from the base of the palm up to the elbow.

Day-old, unsalted popcorn is an inexpensive way to combat nausea caused by such conditions as pregnancy or motion sickness. Ideally, the patient should eat the popcorn 1 hour before or 2 hours after ingesting fluids.

Try eating olives or sucking on a lemon; these foods make your mouth dry and help diminish nausea. Soda crackers may help absorb excess saliva and acid in your stomach. If you feel too sick to eat, try a drink of ginger ale (made from real ginger) or any carbonated cola drink.

Ginger root appears to be effective against motion sickness when taken in powdered form. It also may help nausea.

Consult your physician regarding anti-motion-sickness medications.

The now-familiar drug-impregnated skin patches bypass the digestive system altogether. These foil-backed, adhesive patches set up a tiny electric current that draws the drug out of the patch and into the skin. They have been used since the early 1980's to administer such drugs as scopolamine (effective against motion sickness). Each patch is about the size of a dime and is worn behind your ear. One patch works for up to 3 days. Scopolamine reduces the activity of inner ear nerve fibers that help control balance. In some people, the motion of boats, airplanes and automobiles increases this fiber activity, causing motion sickness.

Side effects of the medication may include dry mouth, drowsiness and blurred vision. In rare cases, the patch can lead to disorientation and confusion, dizziness, difficulty urinating, skin rashes or dry, itchy skin.

See also: Jet Lag

- Nancy Bowens, RN, WHCNP, APNP Two Rivers, Wis

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