Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is generally a genetic predisposition that affects people to varying degrees. If you become ill in the back seat of a moving vehicle, on a bumpy plane ride, or on the ocean, there are some maneuvers and medications that may lessen your symptoms. Sometimes, avoiding these situations is the best approach.

Motion sickness rarely affects children before age two, and tends to peak about the age of 12, becoming less noticeable over the years. Symptoms may include nausea, abdominal discomfort, dizziness or unsteadiness, drowsiness, cold sweats, and—in severe cases—even vomiting and dehydration. Factors that may increase your risk include fatigue, alcohol, certain drugs, anxiety, and exposure to foul smells.

If you are on a large aircraft, try to choose a seat over the center wing. The same goes for traveling by boat: try to position yourself in the center of the craft where there is less to-and-fro movement. Focus your vision on the horizon. In smaller boats it seems to make no difference where you are located. If you are in a car, try to sit in the front seat with the window open, focusing your gaze on the horizon.

Some medications have been found to be helpful, including Transderm Scop (scopolamine) Patches, Scopace tablets (scopolamine), Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), and Stutgeron (cinnarizine). While all of these will help, they do have inherent side effects common to their drug class, such as blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. These medications are not recommended for use in children. Instead, you may safely use Benadryl (diphendydramine) for your child. Ginger or ginger root can help calm a queasy stomach.