Are you a traveler by heart or a simple homebody? If you used to travel to many places before the pandemic, you may not experience travel sickness as much as those who would prefer to stay at home. Motion sickness is a somewhat unbearable discomfort people feel when they move or travel, whether long or short distances. You would want to take a drug to alleviate your symptoms, but are there side effects?
Carsick, seasick, or airsick? Motion sickness can affect anyone, whatever you ride on. Should you just get used to the feeling and let rest handle the symptoms? Or should you know the different means for you to relieve them, like using travel sickness medicines?
Motion Sickness: A Brief Description
When you sense something around your environment, your organs send impulses to your brain, so you know how to react. In the case of motion sickness, your brain cannot process the stimulation that your senses receive, confusing and making you respond differently.
Triggers and Symptoms of Motion Sickness
As you move at constant or differing speeds during your travel, your eyes, ears, and muscles send signals to your brain. Whatever you see, hear, and feel happens very fast, and it may sometimes baffle and affect how your brain perceives them. This causes you to feel symptoms like:
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Cold sweats
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Palpitations
- Pallor or paleness of skin
- Body weakness
Motion Sickness Diagnosis and Assessment
When you see your doctor armed with the symptoms of motion sickness, he would ask you questions related to problems with your eyes and ears. Asking you to describe how you feel when you experience motion sickness helps him determine what triggers your symptoms and what organ gets affected.
For example, suppose that your dizziness came from looking at passing trees or wire posts along the road as you ride your car. Then he may recommend seeing your ophthalmologist check your visual acuity. Suppose roller coasters and other fast-paced rides cause you to feel lightheaded and nauseous. In that case, your balance or sense of movement may disrupt your brain activity, causing you to experience motion sickness.
Travel Sickness Medicines: How do you Treat Motion Sickness?
Many home doctors who have patients experiencing motion sickness can prescribe different travel sickness medicines depending on your symptoms.
Antihistamines. If you think anti-allergy medications are just for rashes and hives, think again. Generic drugs like cyclizine, dimenhydrinate, meclizine, and diphenhydramine often appear as the travel sickness medicine of choice.
Adhesive patch. Transderm Scop is a well-known motion sickness solution that contains scopolamine. Your doctor may prescribe you with this to put at the back of your ear hours before you travel.
Travel Sickness Medicines for kids. Kids cannot handle the effects of all antihistamines because of their potential side effects. Your child’s pediatrician may prescribe dimenhydrinate or diphenhydramine. Follow your doctor’s recommendation to ensure your safety.
Side Effects of Travel Sickness medicines
One of the main consequences of taking antihistamines is drowsiness. Though you can get many brands and generic drug names over the counter, you should still manage to consider the effects that it can give you before, during, and after you take them. Antihistamines that do not cause sleepiness may not work as effectively as the others.
To make your drug intake as safe and effective as possible, allow your doctor to prescribe them for you. He is the only reliable person who can evaluate your condition and prescribe the most appropriate travel sickness medicine to suit your symptoms.
Other Travel Sickness Medicines and Solutions
It does not mean that you always need to take medicines for your motion sickness. Sometimes, distraction and diversional strategies help you manage the symptoms and alleviate your discomfort.
Hydrate. Drinking lots of water prevents dehydration and lets your body react to the stimuli properly. Avoid caffeinated drinks that can serve as diuretics, like coffee, teas, and sodas.
Listen to music. Sound tripping during your travel relaxes and distracts you from the motions and dizzying sights.
Eat. Traveling with an empty stomach makes you feel uneasy. Pack some soda crackers, hard candies, and lozenges to ease your hunger.
Know where to sit. You can choose where to sit when you travel. Depending on the vehicle that you are riding, there is a certain spot that lessens the motion sickness.
- Sea vessel: Choose to sit in the middle of the boat or yacht, or ship.
- Bus or train: Sit beside a window. As much as possible, face the direction you are going to.
- Car: Select the front passenger seat.
- Aircraft: Choose a seat that is near the wing section.
Take supplements. Increasing vitamin B6, magnesium, and what doctors call 5-HTP (Hydroxytryptophan) can affect hormones in your body that let you avoid the development of headache, migraine, and dizziness.
Acupressure. There are now wrist bands that put pressure on points that control and balance your energy.
Motion sickness does not sound too serious compared to other medical conditions, but it can still limit your activities and affect your overall health. If you need more information about what you can do to prevent motion sickness and have more options in managing your symptoms, talk to your doctor about it.
References:
https://www.medicinenet.com/motion_sickness_sea_sickness_car_sickness/article.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/motion-sickness-remedies#long–term-remedies
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12782-motion-sickness
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/motion-sickness