It’s a vacation day and my boys don't have school and my husband is off from work. My husband suggests a family road trip and everyone cheers. The excitement builds as we pack snacks, drinks and other trip necessities.
The kids race around the house, ignoring our pleas to brush their teeth. It seems like finally, everyone is buckled in the car and ready to go.
It's not long before the requests begin for a snack, drink, book or toy and I am in the passenger seat, so this is my job. After turning around numerous times to find what the kids want from the backseat, I straighten up in my own seat.
My head seems to be slowly spinning and my stomach is starting to flip in a non-excited kind of way. I am beginning to feel nauseous and try to swallow the urge to throw up. I silently groan, “Car sickness.”
Why do people get motion sickness and what can be done to relieve it? According to Dr. Timothy C. Hain, “In order for the body to determine where it is at all times, the brain combines visual information, touch information, inner ear information, and internal expectations. Under most circumstances, the senses and expectations agree. When they disagree, there is conflict, and motion sickness can occur.” (Dizziness-and-balance.com)
As I researched this disorder, I found many interesting facts. “Women tend to be more sensitive to motion than men. Women can be more sensitive to motion around the times of their menstrual cycle. Drivers have much less motion sickness than passengers, because they are controlling the motion, and know when they are turning, starting and stopping.” (Dizziness-and-balance.com)
Motion sickness is common and can occur when traveling by car, airplane, bus, train or boat -- really, during any movement where your brain gets signals that do not match from your eyes, inner ears, muscles and joints.
If you suffer from motion sickness, choosing the right seat could help. Sit in the front seat of the car or drive whenever possible. Choose a window seat on an airplane and try to sit at the center of the plane so you can see the wing.
Helpful hints are to focus on the horizon or a distant, stationary object, keep your head still and avoid foods or drinks that could add to your nausea. I have never taken an over-the-counter motion sickness medicine, but I might be willing to try it for the next road trip.
Sources:
Dizziness-and-balance.com; “Motion Sickness”; Timothy C. Hain, MD; September 5th, 2011;
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/central/motion.htm
MedlinePlus; “Motion Sickness”; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/motionsickness.html
Mayoclinic.com; “Motion Sickness: First Aid”; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-motion-sickness/HQ01099
Reviewed November 14, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Malu Banuelos