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Why do I get motion sickness in the car? What should I do?

Why did you get motion sickness in the car and what to do about it?

Good day, dear readers. Probably each of you has experienced motion sickness at least once in transport. Finding yourself in such a situation, the question arose of what to do when you get motion sickness on the road. In this article we will talk about the reasons why a person begins to get motion sickness, how it manifests itself, how it should be dealt with, and how to prevent it.

Classification

In medicine, motion sickness syndrome is called kinetosis. According to statistical data, the population of the entire planet is familiar with this condition. In most cases, it causes seasickness for small passengers.

There are four forms of this condition in total.

  1. If nervous kinetosis occurs, then the presence of general weakness, constant drowsiness, pain and heaviness in the head, and dizziness are noted.
  2. In the gastrointestinal form, the following may be present: nausea, possible vomiting, a taste of soap in the mouth, increased sensitivity to various odors.
  3. In the presence of a cardiovascular form, the following is noted: an increase in heart rate, an erratic rhythm of the heart muscle, an increase in blood pressure.
  4. Mixed form. Combines two or all three of the above forms of kinetosis.

Possible reasons

Let's figure out why you get motion sickness in the car, and what may precede it.

  1. Failure in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus with the presence of abnormalities in one of the parts of the brain.
  2. The result of slight movements of the human body while driving in a car. These movements are noted by the cochlea, while visually the individual does not observe any special changes. The opposite situation may also occur, when the individual practically does not stagger, while he observes how objects move outside the window. Based on these data, we can come to a conclusion regarding the cause that influences the occurrence of motion sickness, namely: the inconsistency of information entering the brain (visual and sensory). Roughly speaking, panic begins in the brain, unconscious functioning of the autonomic system is observed, resulting in rapid heartbeat, fears, and nausea.
  3. The presence of a hereditary predisposition.
  4. An underdeveloped or untrained balance organ.
  5. The following factors may also be at play:
  • the appearance of sounds that excite the ear;
  • presence of various fears;
  • increased air temperature;
  • drinking alcohol the day before;
  • the presence of odors that repel, for example, tobacco smoke;
  • lack of good ventilation in the car;
  • the appearance of apathy as a result of emotional stress or fatigue;
  • pregnancy.

Characteristic manifestations

The presence of symptoms such as:

  • increase in pressure;
  • dizziness that becomes more intense;
  • severe weakness;
  • attacks of nausea followed by vomiting, as a result of a severe headache;
  • At the same time, paleness of the skin may be observed;
  • loss of appetite;
  • the appearance of apathy or the opposite effect - excitement.

What to do if you get seasick

If an adult gets motion sickness, then it is possible to find out what exactly provoked these sensations. We'll talk about how to deal with them later.

  1. If you feel nauseous, try to distract yourself, for example, sing a song or start talking to someone.
  2. Try to fix your head. It is best to use special pillows.
  3. Take lollipops or chewing gum with you to freshen your breath. A slice of lemon, which needs to be sucked during the trip, also helps prevent motion sickness.
  4. Take ascorbic acid. If you are aware that you have a predisposition to motion sickness, then you should always carry ascorbic acid next to you. Due to its absence, you can use green tea, lemon or apples.
  5. Eat ginger cookies or drink ginger tea if you don't have an individual intolerance.
  6. Try to move your legs, as one of the problems may be that the picture seen by your eyes does not match the position of your body, which is motionless.
  7. If the nausea still does not go away and it is possible to stop the car, then do so. Sometimes you need to feel the solid ground under your feet and feel the fresh air.
  8. You can also resort to the use of medications:
  • Vertihogel is a drug that helps resist nausea, vomiting, and saves from dizziness;
  • Dramamine – fights dizziness and nausea;
  • Avia-sea is a remedy that helps to weaken the effects of the vestibular apparatus, effective in the presence of nausea or vomiting;
  • Ginger is a dietary supplement that prevents the development of motion sickness;
  • Meclozine is an antihistamine that prevents vomiting.

What to do if you constantly get motion sickness on the road

  1. Train your vestibular system. It is necessary to resort to balance and coordination exercises. For example, you can go dancing, ride a carousel, or aerobics.
  2. Eye training. Learn to make circular movements with your eyeballs down, up, left, right, in a circle. Do this exercise several times a day.
  3. Head rotation can be done both sitting and standing. Looking forward, you need to raise your head up, then move it to your right shoulder, to your left, and lift it up again. Repeat these steps in a circle several times . After this, move on to exercises directed in the other direction. Then start moving your head in a circular motion.
  4. Turns in place. You need to stand in one place and then turn around yourself. In the initial stages, this can be literally two turns. It is worth gradually increasing their number.
  5. It is also very important to lead a healthy lifestyle.

How to prevent kinetosis

  1. If you are sitting in the passenger seat, try to be as close to the driver as possible. It is believed that if you look out the windshield, the likelihood of developing motion sickness will decrease.
  2. It is not recommended to sit with your back to the traffic.
  3. If possible, open the window and listen to rhythmic music.
  4. It is not recommended to eat heavily or drink alcohol before going on a trip, or drink a lot, especially soda.
  5. If you are sitting near a side window, try not to watch what is happening behind it.
  6. If you are not a driver, you can try to sleep.
  7. It is important to ensure that there is no stuffiness in transport.
  8. You should not watch movies or play on a tablet or phone while driving, as flashing pictures can cause motion sickness even faster.

Now you know, if you start getting motion sickness, what could have preceded it. When choosing the appropriate way to get rid of this condition, it is worth considering what exactly triggered its development. Remember what to do if you already feel seasick, and what can be done to prevent the occurrence of kinetosis.

10 tips for dealing with motion sickness in a car

There are plenty of reasons for feeling unwell: rough driving in many kilometers of traffic jams, poor quality of the road surface, due to which the driver is forced to slow down all the time and then accelerate again, and the characteristics of the human body.

Scientists studying the problem of motion sickness say that passengers in the back row of a car are more likely to suffer from this disease, especially if they spend most of the trip on a laptop or tablet, playing or watching movies. 10 minutes is enough for an adult who continuously looks at a smartphone screen to experience symptoms of motion sickness. For children – even less.

To understand how to treat, it is first necessary to study the symptoms of the “disease”. At the first stage of illness, people begin to yawn and... sweat. The reason is a mismatch of signals that the brain receives from the organs of vision and balance (the latter are located in the inner ear). Then, in order to cope with the unpleasant sensations, they begin to spin around, inhale deeply, and swallow saliva more often; children complain of feeling unwell and cry.

According to researchers, there is no simple solution to the problem of car sickness. This is a natural reaction of the body to an environment that for some reason does not suit it. It is impossible to completely eliminate it (the problem) by improving the design of the car.

The person who can cure motion sickness is, first of all, the driver of the vehicle. The way he drives the car affects the well-being of the passengers. Driving smoothly not only saves fuel, but also significantly reduces the risk of nausea.

Here are some simple tips to deal with car nausea while driving.

1. If you are a passenger, sit in the front seat or in the middle of the back row so that you can see the road in front of the car. Keep your eyes on the road through the windshield, not the side windows.

2. If another passenger complains about feeling seasick, try to distract him - for example, sing a song with him. Which one? Yes, any one. “Katyusha”, “Let there always be sunshine” or Werther’s aria – it doesn’t matter. The driver can also sing and tell jokes, but it’s still better if he watches the road and doesn’t get distracted.

3. If you don’t want to get seasick, don’t drink coffee, milk or alcoholic drinks before your trip. Better water or cola. More is possible. There is no reason to worry: you will always find bushes on the side of the road. Bring a water bottle with you. As for food, there is only one recipe: don’t get drunk before a long trip. Eat what your body is accustomed to.

4. While moving, keep your head straight - fix its position using a pillow or headrest.

5. Ask the driver to turn on the air conditioning with the recirculation mode turned off.

6. Wish the driver “bon voyage,” close your eyes and fall asleep. In this case, you will no longer worry about his driving style and the processes occurring in the inner ear.

7. If we are talking about your family minivan, minibus or camper, ask your husband (driver) to hang the TV in the cabin. Only it should be installed as high as possible (closer to the ceiling). This way you can be distracted on the road and not listen to your body. Good, soothing music on the speakers will help distract you from heavy thoughts - just not too loud.

8. It is better if you still give up long-term use of a smartphone, tablet computer or game console with a screen that lies on your lap while traveling. And God forbid you take a book (including an e-book) on the road. Reading in a car is not recommended for many reasons - in particular, due to the likelihood of motion sickness.

Read more:  Why do they hide license plates when selling a car?

9. People say that... a pickled cucumber will help solve the problem of motion sickness in a car. Only you don’t have to eat it, but suck it during the trip. There are also various medications that you can take if you feel sick in a car or bus. In extreme cases, chewing gum or ginger cookies will help.

10. The best way to cope with motion sickness is to drive. Why don't drivers feel sick? Because they have no time...

Motion sickness in the car: why and what to do?

Motion sickness in vehicles is a fairly common problem that affects people of any age. Nausea and dizziness can ruin the experience of any trip, even the shortest one. Why do these symptoms occur, and what to do if you get carsick?

Why do you get motion sickness in the car?

Regular motion sickness in the car can indicate a variety of problems in the body. However, most often the pathology is caused by a malfunction of the vestibular apparatus. Thus, the most common causes of motion sickness are:

  • discrepancy between the information the brain receives from sensory and visual organs. In simple words, a person sees movement outside the window and is aware of the fact of moving in space, but the muscle tissue is at rest, which causes a mismatch in the general data in the brain. The nervous system begins to “panic”, sending impulses to the body. As a result, a person experiences breathing problems, his heart rate increases, sweat appears and a feeling of nausea appears;
  • hereditary factors. Often the cause of motion sickness lies in a hereditary predisposition. If the child’s parents suffered from this pathology in childhood, then there is a high probability that the baby will experience similar problems. Usually in this case, motion sickness goes away on its own by the age of 12-13, but sometimes a problem with the vestibular system bothers a person throughout his life.

In addition, motion sickness in transport is observed in people with a poor sense of balance. In this case, you can cope with the problem through special training. In addition, there are a number of predisposing factors. These include:

  • sudden vibrations while the car is moving - this includes sudden braking and acceleration, as well as driving on an uneven surface;
  • eating disorders - fatty foods, alcohol or soda drunk shortly before the trip can cause the problem;
  • chronic diseases - pathologies such as gastritis, stomach ulcers or cholelithiasis cause an increase in receptor sensitivity. People with such diagnoses may experience symptoms of motion sickness even with minor changes in the movement of the car;
  • disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system - in this case, the situation can be stabilized by taking certain medications;
  • optical disturbances - a rapid change of picture outside the window leads to overexcitation of the nervous system, as a result, the perception of information in the brain is impaired and the person experiences characteristic symptoms;
  • pregnancy - in this case, symptoms of motion sickness can appear both throughout pregnancy and at its individual stages. Usually, after childbirth, a woman’s condition quickly stabilizes.

In addition to the above, very often people with psycho-emotional disorders suffer from motion sickness. In any case, if you have this pathology, you need to see a doctor who will prescribe adequate treatment to eliminate the pathology.

What to do if you get motion sickness in the car

To cope with embarrassment and prevent motion sickness in vehicles, you can use the following tips:

  • if you are a passenger, try to take a seat next to the driver. Looking at the road through the windshield will reduce the likelihood of motion sickness;
  • if you feel nauseous, try to distract yourself, for example, you can sing a song or start a conversation with other passengers;
  • Drink as much clean drinking water as possible. Under no circumstances take food or alcohol with you on your trip;
  • try to fix your head in one position. Special horseshoe-shaped pillows are very suitable for this purpose;
  • Try not to look out the side window. If you cannot control yourself, hang curtains on the windows;
  • Make sure that the car is not stuffy. If necessary, turn on the air conditioner or open the windows slightly;
  • try to sleep. This is one of the most effective ways, of course, if you are not a driver. During sleep, your vestibular system will “rest” with you;
  • stop reading and watching movies or videos on your phone or tablet. Constantly flashing a picture before your eyes will speed up the process of motion sickness;
  • bring candy with you. In addition to candies and caramel, pickled cucumbers or a slice of lemon are a great way to cope with motion sickness. They need to be sucked during the trip.

To avoid motion sickness, listen to your body. In addition to the methods listed above, you can use medications. For example, tablets that are taken 30-40 minutes before the expected trip will relieve you of nausea and dizziness for several hours.

What to do if you get sick in the car and feel sick

In order to neutralize the feeling of nausea and dizziness, it is necessary to coordinate the work of all nodes of the vestibular apparatus. For example, to neutralize the constant flickering of a picture before your eyes, you can use a special mask or curtains on the windows. It is very important to understand what exactly causes an attack of motion sickness. If the provoking factor lies in a strong or unpleasant odor, you can ask the driver to open the window slightly.

If the feeling of nausea takes you by surprise, you can try the following tips:

  • Take ascorbic acid. If you know you are prone to motion sickness, carry it with you at all times. If there is none, then you can replace it with lemon, green tea or apples;
  • Eat gingerbread cookies. Ginger is an excellent remedy for motion sickness. You can take it not only in the form of cookies, but also as tea, as well as in the form of marshmallows. However, this remedy is not suitable for people with individual intolerance;
  • Move your feet. Since the main cause of motion sickness lies in the inconsistency of the information received by the brain, at the first urge to feel sick, you can try to depict movement. To do this, start moving your legs and moving your body back and forth.

If none of the listed methods helps and the symptoms intensify, then you need to stop the car and get out onto solid ground. This is the only thing that will help in a difficult situation.

What to do if you get motion sickness in the car

An article about what to do if you get motion sickness in the car. Causes of seasickness, methods of overcoming it. At the end of the article there is a video about what to do if you get motion sickness.

The content of the article:

  • “Seasickness” - causes and symptoms
  • Medicines against kinetosis
  • What to do if you get motion sickness in a car
  • How to reduce the risk of seasickness when driving in a car
  • If the child is rocking
  • Hidden syndrome
  • Video about what to do if you get motion sickness

All people are susceptible to motion sickness in transport, land, water or air, to a greater or lesser extent. Some people struggle with this disease all their lives, suffering even from traveling on a city bus, while others are completely unaware of it until they change one type of transportation to another. Secondary reasons may be different, but the main one is the concern of the vestibular apparatus about the position of our body in space.

“Seasickness” - causes and symptoms

For the first time, a person encountered motion sickness syndrome while on board a ship, hence the name. However, in our time, “seasickness” most often occurs not at sea, but on roads.

Motion sickness syndrome, or kinetosis in medical terminology, is the body’s reaction to rhythmic, continuous movements that the body senses.

The vestibular apparatus located in the inner ear is responsible for this disease. Its functions are to analyze information coming from outside and, based on the data received, control the position of the body in space.

But when a person gets into a car or on a ship, a conflict between sensations and reality occurs. The position of the body indicates that the person is sitting/standing, but other sensations convince the vestibular system that it is moving. Such a discrepancy provokes a malfunction of the organ, causing symptoms of motion sickness.

There are 4 forms of kinetosis:

  1. Nervous kinetosis. The symptoms are:
    • dizziness;
    • headache, heaviness;
    • state of drowsiness;
    • general weakness.

  2. Gastrointestinal form. Symptoms:
    • soapy taste in the mouth;
    • nausea;
    • vomit;
    • increased sensitivity to odors.

  3. Cardiovascular form. Symptoms of the initial stage:
    • lost heart rhythm;
    • high blood pressure;
    • cardiopalmus.

  4. Mixed form. This type of motion sickness is the most common and represents a combination of two or all forms of kinetosis.

Symptoms of long-term motion sickness:

  • decreased blood pressure;
  • shallow breathing;
  • the pulse becomes slow.

For people with heart disease, traveling long distances while experiencing symptoms can be dangerous.

Science has not fully studied the action of the vestibular apparatus; only the general principles of its functioning and the main ways to combat the consequences of this functioning are known. Medicine has not even come to a definite conclusion whether the manifestation of kinetosis is a deviation from the norm or a natural reaction of the body.

Medicines against motion sickness

Medications are quite effective in combating the disease. Many of them are made on the basis of natural ingredients, for example, with mint extract. But almost all drugs have side effects - they cause lethargy and drowsiness. This allows you to lull the vigilance of the vestibular apparatus.

Medicines are suitable for one-time trips and trips, but you won’t take them every day. And the rhythm of life in our time involves the daily use, if not of a personal car, then at least of city minibuses. Therefore, whether you want it or not, you will have to look for other ways to combat this disease.

What to do if you get motion sickness in the car

The first thing you should do is find out the reason. There can be two of them: some specific ailments or the general condition of the body.

If the symptoms of kinetosis are too intense and clearly manifest themselves even during short trips, then you should undergo a medical examination. Some diseases (for example, gastrointestinal) can cause severe motion sickness even in elevators, not to mention while traveling in a car.

The second reason is more prosaic - the general physical condition. Sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, overeating, etc. - all this leads not only to a general depressed state, but also to malfunctions of the vestibular apparatus.

How to get rid of motion sickness syndrome? Here are some important ways:

Healthy lifestyle

Yes, a hackneyed rule that has already set everyone’s teeth on edge. However, this did not reduce its effectiveness. If comfort while traveling in transport is more valuable to you than bad habits, you should start denying yourself them.

Motion sickness syndrome provokes:

  • smoking and alcohol;
  • fatty, sweet, heavy foods;
  • passive lifestyle;
  • constant presence in a stuffy room (poorly ventilated office, workshop).

It doesn’t have to be fanatical, but 10 minutes of morning exercise, regular walking and replacing a few extra bottles of beer with fruit juice have never caused serious “damage” to any lifestyle.

Vestibular apparatus training

The vestibular apparatus can and should be trained. Numerous observations have confirmed that people who initially suffered from motion sickness, with constant travel or flights, got used to the new condition and the symptoms disappeared.

To “pump up” the vestibular apparatus, you should pay special attention to coordination and balance exercises. Dancing (especially the waltz), aerobics, carousel rides and other active activities where you need to spin or make sudden movements have a good effect on the state of the body. This is why you should take your children to attractions - such entertainment will help reduce the risk of motion sickness in the future.

If you don’t have the time or desire for such entertainment, you can do simple exercises at home:

Eye training

The simplest thing you can do is make circular movements with your eyes. Up and down, left and right, in a circle. This exercise can be done several times a day and anywhere.

Head rotation

You can perform it standing or sitting on a chair. Looking forward, raise your head up, then move it to your right shoulder, then to your left and up again. Repeat several times, then do the same in the other direction. You can also perform circular movements with your head.

Turns in place

The most effective exercise for balance and coordination. All you need to do is stand in one place and make a few revolutions around your axis. You can start with one or two turns and increase their number as you get used to it.

All of the above will help, if not completely get rid of seasickness, then reduce the intensity of symptoms and turn car trips into a less painful process.

How to reduce the risk of motion sickness in a car while traveling

In addition to the long-term preparation of your body described above, you can also resort to short-term methods.

Have a good rest

A good 8-hour sleep has a beneficial effect on the body and improves well-being. It is especially important to get a good night's sleep before long trips.

Avoid drinking alcohol, limit smoking

If you do not want to lead a completely healthy lifestyle, then at least on the eve of a long trip, give up alcohol and excessive smoking. And of course you shouldn’t drink alcohol while traveling.

Don't overeat

It is best to get into the car 30-60 minutes after eating - the food should be light and in no case greasy. You should also avoid sweets and carbonated drinks.

But breakfast/lunch should be nutritious enough so as not to feel weak.

Eliminate odors during your trip

Avoid wearing perfumes or heavily scented creams or deodorants. And ask other fellow travelers not to do this. Even the faintest smell of cream in the car can cause a headache or nausea. Not to mention harsh or overly sweet perfumes, which even make people resistant to motion sickness feel ill.

This also applies to car fragrances.

Open the window

After smells, the enemy in the car becomes stuffiness and stale air. Be sure to open the window slightly, even if it is cool inside.

Sit in the front seat

And look ahead, concentrating on the road, closer to the horizon or just in the distance. If you can't sit next to the driver, still try to look ahead through the windshield or concentrate on something in the cabin.

Find something to do

Something exciting and active, if not for the body, then for the brain. For example, a game, an interesting conversation, or, in extreme cases, exercises for the wrists - at least something that will help distract the sensory organs from the “non-standard” situation and make it possible to concentrate on something specific.

But under no circumstances should you do relaxing things, such as reading or playing calm music. This will only make the situation worse.

Listen to rhythmic music

One that will take over not only the mind, but also the body. Aggressive rock or fast dance tunes are ideal.

Drink enough (just enough, not too much) fluids

Take plain water on the road, you can add mint infusion or drops to it. Mint has the property of eliminating nausea and the urge to vomit. You can also stock up on mints.

Choose the right clothes

Any discomfort to the body aggravates the symptoms of motion sickness. Therefore, make sure that you are not cold, much less hot. Bring a jacket or cardigan in reserve that you can put on or take off if necessary.

Carry an acupressure bracelet with you

If you are prone to seasickness, then it would be a good idea to buy a special bracelet. It creates pressure on a specific point on the wrist (the so-called pericardial point-6), thereby reducing the intensity of headaches and nausea during movement.

If the child is rocking

The vestibular apparatus and its functioning are fully formed by the age of 13-15. Therefore, children, especially small ones, are very often susceptible to motion sickness.

The methods of dealing with symptoms in children are the same as in adults - fresh air, light food, nothing sweet or carbonated, no odors. Find something to do for your child or try to get him to sleep if possible. In a dream, a person is not susceptible to motion sickness (this is also true for adults).

Instead of pure water, your child can be given diluted apple juice. If he doesn't mind, add a little mint or ginger to the drink. It's also a good idea to stock up on mint candies. In addition to the mint effect, the lollipops will force the child to swallow regularly, which also eliminates nausea and the urge to vomit.

Hidden motion sickness syndrome

It often happens that a person finds out about his tendency to seasickness by switching to another type of transport or even changing his car. This often happens even among experienced sailors who, for example, spent their entire lives on a fishing boat, and then, once on the liner, suffered more than land passengers. This fact only confirms that the vestibular apparatus needs to be trained.

In the auto world, this happens if you change cars or roads. For example, in a car with poor shock absorption, where the passenger constantly shakes, or when driving on city streets, a person feels fine. But a high-speed highway and a new car, in which movement is not felt, instantly put people into a state of kinetosis, seemingly not susceptible to this illness.

Drivers often suffer from hidden seasickness. While a person is driving, he is completely focused on the process of driving, the commands to the receptors of the vestibular apparatus are received “correctly” and correspond to his actions. But as soon as the driver moves into the passenger seat, a classic conflict of sensations and reality occurs - I see and feel something completely different from what I do.

In most cases, you can get rid of this disease, or at least reduce its intensity. But a certain number of people are endowed with, so to speak, chronic motion sickness syndrome. And nothing can be done about it. The problem most likely lies in a violation of the development of the vestibular apparatus, but medicine does not yet have accurate information on this issue.

Video about what to do if you get motion sickness:

Seasick in a car or plane? Fighting seasickness

Motion sickness in transport is a very common phenomenon among travel lovers. This illness has a name - seasickness. But it can take a person by surprise not only at sea. Most often, this phenomenon occurs during a long car ride. We will talk about why a person gets motion sickness and how to deal with it in today’s article.

What to do if an adult gets motion sickness?

If such a problem finds you on the road, and there is no miracle pill at hand, a few simple tips will come to the rescue:

  • Sour and mint candies are good for motion sickness;
  • Before the invention of modern antiemetic drugs, people used ginger root to combat nausea. And you don’t have to take it with you. It is enough to have products containing ginger in your arsenal. For example: ginger candies, cookies or drink;
  • While traveling, try not to look at the scenery passing by. This requires a lot of concentration, and flashing pictures will only aggravate the problem. Better focus your gaze straight ahead;
  • There are points on our body that are responsible for certain organs. Impact on some of them will help normalize the functioning of the vestibular apparatus. The first point is on the back of the wrist. Press down on it and hold for a while (about a minute). The second point is located behind the ear, at the base of the jaw. You can stimulate it with light massage movements. If that doesn't help, press on it for a minute.

Important! Antihistamines: diazolin or suprastin help well against the symptoms of seasickness. Taking such medications is contraindicated for drivers. They cause drowsiness and affect concentration.

What to do if your child gets seasick?

According to statistics, children are the most susceptible to motion sickness in transport. If we take the percentage ratio, then a similar illness is observed in 58-60% of children aged 5 to 13 years. Most parents are well aware of the problem of their children and stock up on the necessary medications before the trip. But what to do if the problem arose for the first time?

  • First of all, you need to calm down and not show your excitement to the child. If your baby starts to get scared, this may make the symptoms worse;
  • If you are driving, stop and let your child get some fresh air. Take a walk with your baby on a flat road and just stand still;
  • If it is not possible to stop or you are traveling by another means of transport, try to distract your child with a game or simple conversation;
  • Breathing exercises can relieve nausea. Ask the child to take rare and deep breaths for 1.5 minutes;
  • If breathing exercises are not effective, give your baby a sour candy or a slice of lemon to suck on. Any sour fruit can be an effective remedy for nausea. For example, peach or sour apple.

Advice! Take a set of wet wipes and a bottle of still water on your trip. If your baby does vomit, this will help you clean it up.

Why does a person get motion sickness?

Motion sickness in transport occurs due to a malfunction in the human vestibular apparatus. He, in turn, is responsible for stability and coordination of movements. It perceives changes in body position or vibrations as stimuli and sends a corresponding signal to the brain. People with an untrained vestibular system are especially sensitive to such fluctuations. Other causes of motion sickness include:

  • Hereditary predisposition. If close relatives had a similar problem, most likely the children will receive the same “gift” as an inheritance;
  • Visual information received through the organs of vision contradicts sensory perception. That is, visually a person understands that he is in motion, while the organs of sensory perception send a signal to the brain about the immobility of the body position;
  • Untrained vestibular apparatus. Most often, motion sickness occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle;
  • Individual predisposition to the development of motion sickness. A person can suffer from a similar illness not only in childhood, but throughout his life.

The main symptoms of motion sickness include:

  • Dizziness;
  • Nausea and vomiting;
  • Headache;
  • Paleness of the skin (sometimes the skin may acquire a greenish tint);
  • Sleep and appetite disturbances;
  • Painful reaction to strong odors.

Diagnosing such a disease is easy. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor prescribes special medications to combat the symptoms of motion sickness.

Important! If such symptoms appear in older people, this is a serious reason to consult a specialist for consultation and examination. More serious diseases characteristic of older people manifest themselves in a similar way.

Preparing for the road

It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it. Therefore, you should worry about your well-being during the trip in advance. Several effective ways to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness will come to the rescue:

  • First of all, no matter how trivial it may sound, stock up on pills. There is plenty of such medicine in modern pharmacological markets. In many cases, it does not require a prescription and is selected independently;
  • Before your trip, try to eat well, but don't overdo it. Many people mistakenly believe that they feel less sick on an empty stomach. This is fundamentally wrong. The fact is that skipping meals provokes the accumulation of acid in the stomach. It, in turn, irritates the walls of the stomach, causing nausea;
  • Take a water bottle with you on your trip. Better yet, prepare a special drink with lemon juice and ginger root, the recipe for which you will find at the end of the article;
  • Try not to eat heavy or fatty foods two hours before your trip. Eat fruits, vegetables or yogurt. To digest light foods, the stomach releases fewer digestive enzymes;
  • Avoid drinking alcohol and carbonated drinks.

If you get motion sickness on a plane?

  • When buying a plane ticket, choose a seat in the front rows or opposite the wing of the plane. In these places, turbulence and shaking are least felt;
  • Use paper bags. As a rule, such packages are provided by flight attendants upon the passenger's request. Place the bag on your mouth and breathe slowly and deeply until relief occurs;
  • If you are not traveling alone, try to distract yourself by talking to a companion. Turn on the player and listen to your favorite music. But keep in mind that you should not be distracted by reading or watching a movie - this can aggravate the situation. Because you are in motion, a signal is sent to your brain. Looking at a stationary object, the brain begins to get confused in signals, resulting in nausea and dizziness;
  • If all else fails, take a pill. If you don't have it at hand, ask a flight attendant for help.

If you get seasick at sea?

To prevent your long-awaited sea cruise from turning into a real nightmare, we present to you a few tricks to help fight seasickness.

  • Drink water. A lot and in small sips. You can dilute it with lemon or orange juice. Water helps fight nausea and replenishes fluid in the body;
  • Close your eyes. Better yet, sleep, allow yourself to rest and relax. Thus, the body perceives the shock more easily;
  • Wrap your wrists with an elastic bandage, but do not tighten too much. The fact is that in the wrist area there is a special point, acting on which a pressure difference occurs. This way you can get rid of nausea. Pharmacies also sell special bracelets against motion sickness;
  • In some cases, a small amount of alcohol helps. It is best to use weak alcohol or a glass of cognac.

Remedies and tablets for motion sickness in transport

Today, pharmaceutical companies present a wide range of drugs for motion sickness. You can purchase them at any pharmacy or on a pharmaceutical website without a doctor's prescription.

Aviomore . Homeopathic antiemetic drug of domestic production. Available in the form of tablets, 20 pieces per package. Designed for the prevention and treatment of seasickness, as well as motion sickness in any transport (plane, car, bus). Not recommended for use by persons with individual intolerance to the constituent components of the drug and children under 6 years of age.

Bonin. An antihistamine manufactured in the USA. The active ingredient is meclozine. Designed to prevent symptoms of seasickness. Has antiemetic and antihistamine effects. Thanks to the sedative substance included in the medicine, it calms the nervous system and promotes relaxation. Not recommended for use by children under 12 years of age and pregnant women. Available in the form of chewable tablets.

Dramamine. The drug is from a Polish pharmacological company. Available in the form of tablets containing 50 mg of dimenhydrinate. Acts directly on the vestibular apparatus. Intended for the treatment of seasickness and vestibular disorders. The effect of the drug lasts for 4-6 hours. Allowed for children over 1 year of age.

Ciel. These motion sickness tablets are made in Poland. Has an antiemetic effect and fights the symptoms of motion sickness. Allowed for use by children over 2 years old. Contraindicated for use in pregnant women and during lactation. People with bronchial asthma and epilepsy.

Ginger, available in capsules. There is no age limit for admission. Has antiemetic properties. Has no contraindications. People with stomach diseases are recommended to take ginger extract in small doses, combined with meals.

Homemade ginger lemonade recipe for motion sickness

A well-proven remedy for motion sickness is homemade ginger lemonade.

To make lemonade you will need:

  • Water-1 liter;
  • Two fresh lemons;
  • Fresh ginger root or ginger powder;
  • Sugar 2 tablespoons per liter of water.

Cooking method:

  • Squeeze the juice of two lemons into a bowl of water;
  • Grate the ginger root (approximately 30g);
  • Add it to the water and stir;
  • Sweeten the water with sugar;
  • Let the lemonade steep in the refrigerator;
  • Strain the finished lemonade through a sieve and pour into a bottle.

This is useful! Homemade ginger lemonade perfectly quenches your thirst and energizes you for the whole day.

Vestibular apparatus training

First exercise

Close your eyes and lift one leg. Try to maintain your balance for 30 seconds. If you don't succeed the first time, don't be discouraged. This exercise requires a lot of practice. Repeat this at least 3 times a day on each leg.

Second exercise

Sit on a chair and straighten your back. Place your index finger forward (at a distance of 30 cm from your eyes) and focus your vision on it. Slowly turn your head to the right and left, gradually accelerating the movement. In this case, the gaze should be focused on the index finger. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times 3 times a day.

Third exercise (eye gymnastics)

Sit comfortably and focus your gaze straight ahead. Slowly turn your eyes to the right and left, gradually speeding up your movements. Next, make a figure eight with your eyes (10 times) and focus your vision on the tip of your nose. Look straight ahead and again at the tip of your nose (so 15 times). Do the exercise at least 3 times a day.

To reduce motion sickness in a car or plane, yoga and running help. If you have time, take 30 minutes a day to jog. Choose your own time. Morning and evening jogging has equally positive effects on the balance organs. Sign up for yoga or do simple asanas at home for 20-30 minutes a day. Such exercises not only train the vestibular apparatus and reduce the symptoms of motion sickness, but also have a beneficial effect on all body systems.

A very detailed video about motion sickness in transport, advice from Dr. Komarovsky:

How do you fight seasickness? Please share your opinion in the comments.

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