Common Signs and Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a condition experienced by most people particularly those who rarely travel. It is the result of a confusion of the brain between the eye and ear’s perception. Motion sickness can either be caused by travels on land, at sea and on air. Whichever you experience, there are prevention tips and cures for each. In addition, they almost have the same precautionary measure and treatments.

Common treatments such as medicines and natural remedies can be both used for each different type of motion sickness. For instance, you can use ginger, peppermint, antihistamines and scopolamine to relieve sea sickness, car sickness and air sickness. However, grabbing fresh air and looking at one single focal point may not be employed during air travels. Remedies also include wearing relief bands that greatly help in alleviating symptoms of motion sickness.

You will know that you are experiencing motion sickness if you feel the following common signs and symptoms. First is nausea. Nausea is the most common symptom of motion sickness. It is typically experienced by pregnant and menstruating women, young children, people suffering from migraine headaches and those with inner ear disturbances.

Nausea can be readily relieved by chewing on a gum, eating candy and breathing fresh air. If not relieved, it usually results to vomiting which may then result to dehydration. That is why it is important to relieve the symptom before anything worse happens.

Next is vertigo. Vertigo is a condition wherein a person’s sense of balance is impaired. Thus, it is called positional headache. The best way to counter vertigo is to focus at one single point. This can be achieved when in cars and ships only. Looking at the horizon is the most popular example. Vomiting is also a sign of motion sickness. To prevent such, avoid eating foods that may irritate the stomach as well as drinking alcoholic beverages. If you feel like vomiting, stand up and keep still.

Other signs and symptoms include sweating, discomfort and body malaise. This can all be associated with dehydration caused by excessive vomiting. Drinking sips of water and bringing electrolyte- containing beverages such as Gatorade can be helpful.

These signs and symptoms, if not relieved, usually stop if the cause of disturbance ceases. For instance, stopping of the car and sailing on smooth waters can eventually relieve motion sickness. However, this may not be true to all. Some people even experience signs and symptoms days after the voyage. This condition is called “mal de debarquement” or “mal d’embarquement” syndrome. The former is motion sickness experienced after arrival while the latter is before departure. The best cure for both may be the use of the Scopolamine patch that may take effect for three days.