Motion Sickness

Description

Motion sickness is not really an illness, but the body's response to unusual motion, such as turning, twisting, winding, or rocking. This type of motion may be caused by a riding in a boat, car, plane, or amusement park ride. The condition occurs because there is a discrepancy between what the eyes see (a series of seemingly speeding objects in the window, or no motion at all if you are reading or looking down at your lap) and what the inner ear feels (rocking or swaying movement, for instance). The nervous system responds to this discordant perception by triggering a feeling of nausea.

Signs and Symptoms

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pallor
• Sweating
• Weakness, fatigue, and/or malaise
• Feeling of panic
• Hyperventilation

Conventional Medical Treatment

Motion sickness can be treated without medical intervention. The easiest solution is to get off the vehicle that is causing the problem. If that is not a possibility, move to another area of the vehicle. If you are in the back seat of a car, sit in front so you can look forward out the window at the horizon instead of having to see scenery rushing by through the side windows. If you are in a boat or plane, move to the middle of the craft, where there is less of a rocking sensation.

If you regularly suffer from motion sickness, ask your doctor for a prescription for a scopolamine patch. Applied eight hours before travel, the patch releases a medication that prevents motion sickness. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benedryl) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), are also commonly used to prevent motion sickness. These are available over the counter or by prescription, and are most effective if taken 30 to 60 minutes before traveling. If you will be operating a vehicle, do not take motion sickness medication, because the drugs have sedative qualities. Also, these drugs should not be taken with alcohol or tranquilizers.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Nutrition and Supplementation

Melatonin, the same nutrient that treats jet lag, is also helpful in treating motion sickness. Take 1 to 3 mg during your trip. Avoid foods that contribute to nausea, such as fried, junk, processed, spicy, heavy, or fatty foods. Stay away from alcohol, since It disrupts communication between the eyes, the brain, and the inner ears.

These supplements may help prevent motion sickness:

• charcoal tablets (5 tablets 1 hour before travel)-detoxifies
• magnesium (500 mg 1 hour before trip)-acts as a nerve tonic
• vitamin B6 (100 mg 1 hour before trip, then 100 mg 2 hours later)-relieves nausea

(Take supplements until your symptoms subside. If symptoms persist, seek the advice of your healthcare provider.)

Aromatherapy

Many aromatherapists recommend peppermint essential oil for easing nausea. Mix 1 drop with 1 teaspoon honey or vegetable oil and take internally, or place 1 drop on your tongue. You also can place a few drops on a tissue or handkerchief and inhale whenever you feel queasy. Alternately, combine 4 drops with 4 drops ginger essential oil and mix with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or lotion. Massage this blend into your chest just before traveling.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic practitioners might suggest taking ginger capsules before your trip, chewing candied ginger during your trip, or taking the Ayurvedic formula Gasex (two or three tablets chewed after meals) or Bonnisan before and during your trip. Ayurvedic products are available at many health food stores and Indian pharmacies. See package directions for details.

Herbal Therapy

Ginger is extremely effective for preventing motion sickness. Take it on an empty stomach in one of the following forms: chew on fresh peeled ginger root, eat can died ginger, drink ginger tea, or take 2 capsules (500 mg each) of dried ginger root every 4 hours, starting the day before traveling.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic practitioners often recommend one of the following treatments for motion sickness, depending on your symptoms:

• Tabacum-for extreme seasickness if you have a death-like pallor, are vomiting, feel icy cold, and must lie with your eyes closed
• Chocculus-for motion sickness that comes from side-to-side motion; this remedy is most useful after a sea voyage when the ground feels as if it's moving
• Nux vomica-for a queasy feeling that's accompanied by a splitting headache and a loathing for food; you may gag, vomit without bringing anything up, and feel chilly
• Petroleum-for persistent nausea that's accompanied by the pooling of water in your mouth; this remedy is helpful if your stomach feels empty and the nausea eases when you eat something

Hydrotherapy

Place a cool compress at the base of your skull to lessen nausea. Rewet as necessary.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture Acupuncture may be useful in alleviating the nausea, dizziness, and anxiety brought on by motion sickness. Points that may be targeted to treat nausea include Pericardium 6, Stomach 36, and related ear points. To lessen dizziness, the practitioner may focus on Liver 3, Stomach 40, 1tiple Warmer 17 and 21, and Conception Vessel 6 and 12.

Acupressure As with acupuncture, the points that are typically targeted are Pericardium 5 and 6, Stomach 36, and Small Intestine 17 (the latter helps regulate inner ear balance). Over-the-counter seasickness bands use the point P6.

Chinese Herbal Therapy Dried ginger and angelica are time-honored Chinese herbal remedies to treat motion sickness. Curing Pills, an over-the-counter herbal preparation, may also be used to quell motion sickness.