Motion Sickness

This is sickness resulting from the motion of the vehicle in which one is travelling.

What to look for

• sweating, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea while travelling by many forms of transportation

Although quite uncomfortable motion sickness is not a dangerous ailment. The symptoms of motion sickness usually subside either once your body adjusts to your mode of travel or shortly after the trip ends.

Causes

Motion sickness results from an imbalance of information reaching the brain from the sensory organs. Your inner ear has a balance organ inside and detects motion more readily than your eyes do. Your central nervous system reacts to this stress-producing phenomenon by activating the nausea center in your brain.

Traditional Treatment

To stop motion sickness, it is a good idea to stop doing whatever is causing the discomfort. Reading usually causes this if you are in motion. If you are prone to this ailment, prepare yourself by taking medications with you on each long trip. The symptoms of travel sickness vary from person to person although you will always experience the same symptoms and in the same order.

You may be recommended over-the-counter pills to alleviate this condition.

Alternative/Natural Treatments

Herbal Treatments – Ginger is an extremely popular and successful cure for travel sickness. It causes none of the side effects of anti-nausea drugs and can be drunk as a tea, or taken in capsule form; it should be taken on an empty stomach. Ginger is an extremely popular and successful cure for travel sickness. It causes none of the side effects of anti-nausea drugs and can be drunk as a tea, or taken in capsule form; it should be taken on an empty stomach.

Homoeopathy – Homoeopathic remedies sometimes come in kits that contain motion sickness remedies, which can be taken before and during travel as directed. Homoeopathic remedies sometimes come in kits that contain motion sickness remedies, which can be taken before and during travel as directed.

Aromatherapy – Ginger is also useful if it is inhaled directly from the bottle or in a massage. (see the aromatherapy section for more information).

Prevention

There are many strategies you can use to lower your vulnerability to motion sickness. In addition to the suggestions above, the following may help:

• Get plenty of fresh air
• Keep your head as still as possible focus on the horizon.
• Don’t read while in motion.
• Eat light meals
• Don’t drink or smoke.

If nausea does set in, try eating olives or sucking on a lemon;

When to seek further professional advice

• you are planning a trip and are concerned that you will be bothered by motion sickness