OVERVIEW:
Many individuals face problems like vomiting and restlessness while traveling. This problem is called motion sickness (sometimes also called travel sickness or motion illness). This includes vomiting and restlessness as well as sweating, dizziness and discomfort. People traveling by car, train, airplane, and especially boats have to face motion sickness at one time or another. In such a situation, it is important to have information related to the motion sickness. This can help reduce some of the hassle during the journey. With this purpose, in this article, we are going to explain in detail about the types, causes, symptoms and some effective home remedies to treat motion sickness.
TYPES OF MOTION SICKNESS:
Motion sickness can be divided on the basis of the type of motion; including:
- Car Sickness: Sickness that occurs while sitting in a car can be considered a type of motion sickness.
- Air Sickness: A type of sickness felt during strong wind and air travel.
- Sea Sickness: Sickness that occurs during sea voyage is called sea sickness. During this, the person is able to feel the speed of the journey, but cannot see, due to which this happens.
- Movie Sickness: This is a type of motion sickness in which motion is visible but not felt. This happens mostly to sensitive people while watching a movie in the theatre.
CAUSES OF MOTION SICKNESS:
Motion sickness is also called travel sickness. In such a situation, one of the main reasons for this can be considered travel. Actually, during this time the signal of the body is mismatched, due to which motion sickness occurs. In addition, motion sickness is also believed to be partly genetic.
RISK FACTORS:
Let's know more about who is at higher risk of motion sickness:
- Women are more prone to motion sickness than that of the men.
- Vertigo is a risk factor for motion sickness.
- Motion sickness begins around age 6 and peaks around age 9.
- Disease affecting the inner ear (Meniere's).
- Migraines can also increase the risk of motion sickness.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy.
- Menstrual periods are also considered a risk for motion sickness.
- Vestibular (the inner part of the ear and brain, which help control eye movement and balance) problems.
SYMPTOMS OF MOTION SICKNESS:
There are many types of symptoms seen when there is motion sickness which tell us whether there is motion sickness or not. Some of these symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Yawning
- Malaise
- Loss of interest in eating (anorexia)
- Drowsiness
- To heave a sigh
- Difficulty concentrating
- Occasional vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Increased salivation
- Burp
- Having a headache
- Intractable retching
- Spatial disorientation
- Cold sweating
- Inability to walk in severe cases
HOME REMEDIES TO CURE MOTION SICKNESS:
The problem of motion sickness can be reduced by adopting some DIY homemade remedies, which we are talking about below:
1. Raw Ginger:
Material Required:
How To Use:
- First cut the ginger into small pieces.
- Then you can chew it.
- You can also chew it during the travel to avoid motion sickness.
Benefits:
Ginger can be used to get relief from motion sickness. According to a scientific research, ginger can act as a natural medicine to protect against motion sickness. The use of ginger can help prevent gastric dysrhythmia and plasma vasopressin thereby reducing motion sickness.
2. Lemon:
Material Required:
How To Use:
- Always carry a lemon with you while travelling.
- Keep smelling it in between or you can cut it in half and apply it on the head.
Benefits:
Lemon can be used to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. Research has been told that lemon juice or a slice can prove to be beneficial if you feel motion sickness during travel. Consuming lemon can reduce the symptoms of motion sickness, vomiting and nausea. Not only this, smelling lemon can also provide relief from nausea and vomiting.
3. Pickle Juice:
Material Required:
- Pickle juice (1-2 tablespoons)
How To Use:
- Whenever you feel motion sickness, you can drink a little bit of its juice.
- Use it only when you feel the need.
Benefits:
Pickle juice can provide relief from the condition of motion sickness. Actually, due to motion sickness, many symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sweating are seen. Because of these, the balance of electrolytes in the body can deteriorate. This makes the situation more serious. In such a situation, the electrolyte level of the body can be controlled by consuming pickles. For this reason, pickle juice is also considered good for motion sickness.
4. Essential Oils:
(a) Peppermint Oil
Material Required:
- Peppermint oil (1-3 drops)
How To Use:
- First, put drops of peppermint oil in a clean cotton or napkin.
- Then smell it when you feel motion sickness.
- Whenever you start feeling nauseous, you can use it according to the requirement.
Benefits:
Motion sickness can be reduced by using peppermint oil. According to a scientific research published in this regard, peppermint has antiemetic effect, which can reduce the feeling of vomiting and nausea. On this basis, it can be believed that peppermint oil can provide relief in motion sickness.
(b) Ginger Oil:
Material Required:
How To Use:
- Put a few drops of ginger oil on a clean napkin.
- Smell it when you feel motion sickness.
Benefits:
Ginger oil is also included in the treatment of motion sickness. A scientific study stated that ginger oil can treat motion sickness. Actually, ginger juice has anti-motion sickness effect. This can provide some relief from the condition of motion sickness and vomiting. On this basis, it can be said that ginger oil can also have positive effect on motion illness.
5. Vitamins:
Material Required:
How To Use:
- On the advice of a doctor, you can take vitamin supplements if you have the problem of motion sickness.
Benefits:
Vitamin B6 and B12 can be consumed to get relief from motion sickness. In fact, a lack of vitamin B12 increases the risk of motion sickness. In such a situation, it has been considered effective for the treatment of motion sickness. Also vitamin B6 can be used to treat morning sickness (a symptom of motion sickness). United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved it for the treatment of morning sickness or vomiting.
6. Chamomile Tea:
Material Required:
- Chamomile tea (1 teaspoon)
- A cup of water
How To Use:
- Boil chamomile in a cup of water.
- After this, filter it in a cup and take it out.
- Now you can enjoy its hot sips.
- If desired, honey can also be added to it for taste.
Benefits:
Using chamomile tea can help treat motion sickness. According to a medical research, chamomile acts as a good digestive relaxant. This can help to overcome the problem of strange feeling and motion sickness in the stomach.
7. Stay Hydrated:
Material Required:
- Water and fruit juice (as needed)
How To Use:
Benefits:
Keeping the body hydrated can also prevent motion sickness during travel. For this, drink more and more water. Also, consume food items in small quantities during the journey. Not only this, avoid consuming intoxicants during the journey. This reduces the risk of motion sickness.
8. Licorice Root:
Material Required:
- Licorice root (1 teaspoon)
- A cup of water
How To Use:
- Boil water in a tea pot.
- Now mix one spoon of liquorice root in boiling water.
- Let it boil for about 5 minutes and then filter it.
- Now, you can enjoy its taste.
Benefits:
Licorice root can also be used as a natural treatment for motion sickness. According to a medical research related to this, licorice root can reduce stomach problems as well as nausea and vomiting. We have already mentioned above that the symptoms of motion sickness also include nausea and vomiting. In such a situation, licorice can also be considered good for motion sickness.
9. Black Horehound:
Material Required:
- A spoonful of black horehound
- A cup of water
How To Use:
- First of all, mix the black horehound well in the water.
- Now, put it in a tea pot and boil it.
- After boiling well, filter it and take it out in a cup.
- Now, you can enjoy its taste.
Benefits:
The symptoms of motion sickness can be reduced by using black horehound. According to a research, black horehound has antiemetics and sedative effects. The antiemetic is known to relieve nausea and vomiting, and the sedative properties can make a person feel calmer. On this basis, black horehound can be considered good for motion sickness.
PREVENTION TIPS FOR MOTION SICKNESS:
It is important to know how to avoid motion sickness, so that the body can be prevented from becoming unhealthy. For this, the methods mentioned below can be adopted to avoid motion sickness:
- Avoid studying in moving vehicles
- Sit in the front seat
- Focus on the front
- Keep changing body positions while traveling long distances
- Take control of your breath
- Listen to favorite music
- Avoid nicotine use, such as smoking
- Avoid traveling due to ill health
- Do not sit in the back seat while traveling
- Sit in the front seat and look out the window
- Motion sickness is less in a larger vehicles, so travel on a bigger ship instead of a smaller boat
- Closing your eyes can also be a good way to relieve motion sickness.
- Do not consume alcohol for 24 hours before and during travel
- Eat and drink as little as possible during a long journey.
- Try not to eat or drink anything during short trips
MEDICINE FOR MOTION SICKNESS:
People with motion sickness can prevent this problem by taking some medicines. Some of these medicine include:
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
- Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine, Meni-D, Antrizine)
- Scopolamine (transdermal patches, Transderm-Scop)
- Cyclizine (Marezine)
- Promethazine (Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
TAKE AWAY
Motion sickness is not a serious or long-lasting disease, but it can become a problem during travel and can be a great hassle. To overcome this, motion sickness can be known through the article. Here we have also given the symptoms of motion sickness, which can be recognized and adopted to treat motion sickness and different ways to avoid motion sickness. Timely treatment can reduce the problem to some extent.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):
Q. When should I go to the doctor for motion sickness?
A. Motion sickness usually goes away a few minutes or hours after the trip ends. If you are feeling dizzy, headache and vomiting for a long time and hearing loss is felt, then definitely see a doctor.
Q. Which is the best medicine for motion sickness?
A. Over the counter medicine can be taken for motion sickness. Apart from this, home remedies like peppermint oil, lemon can also be used. They are as effective as medicine.
Q. Where is the pressure point for motion sickness?
A. The pressure point for motion sickness is between two tendons about three fingers wide under the wrist, called the Nei Guan P6 or PC6. Generally it helps in relieving nausea, upset stomach, motion sickness and headache.
Q. How long can motion sickness last?
It usually lasts an hour or two, but in some people it can last for several days. Especially, after a long sea voyage.
Q. Are motion sickness pills safe?
A. Yes, motion sickness pills can be safe when taken under the supervision of a doctor.
Q. Can I take motion sickness pills everyday?
A. Yes, adults and children of 12 years of age and older can usually take medicine every 4 to 6 hours as needed to prevent or treat motion sickness.