Conditions

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness occurs when motion causes the eyes, the sensory nerves, and the vestibular apparatus of the ear to send conflicting signals to the brain, causing a loss of equilibrium or a sense of vertigo.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Pallor
• Cold sweating
• Hypersalivation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Headache

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is usually made completely from a description of the symptoms, as a patient rarely arrives at the doctor's office while still suffering from motion sickness.

Treatment Options:

Traditional treatments can offer some limited relief with pharmaceuticals.

Traditional Treatments:

• Antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), meclizine (Antivert, Bonine), or diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are usually the first conventional medicines recommended for motion sickness, and they may be effective. You must take this type of product before symptoms arise, however; they are not as effective if you are already feeling sick.
• Antiemetics (drugs to stop vomiting) can be very effective for motion sickness, but can cause some serious side effects. Be sure to read inserts carefully before taking these medications.
• A patch containing scopolamine that can be placed behind one ear was very popular in the past; but the use of this belladonna derivative has decreased somewhat in recent years because of its side effects, which can include drowsiness and dry mouth, as well as confusion and disorientation.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Digestive herbs and/or homeopathic remedies may be helpful in preventing and relieving motion sickness. As with most therapies, alternative therapies for motion sickness are best used before the onset of symptoms.

Nutritional Supplementation:

Charcoal tablets, magnesium, and pyridoxine taken one hour before traveling may help alleviate some of the symptoms.

Alternative Therapies:

• Black horehound can reduce nausea.
• Butcher's broom, kudzu, and motherwort help to relieve vertigo.
• Ginger is an excellent treatment and preventative for nausea and upset stomach. Take 2 ginger capsules (approx. 1,000 mg) every three hours, starting one hour before the beginning of the trip.
• Peppermint tea soothes and calms the stomach. A drop of peppermint oil on the tongue can provide excellent relief from nausea and motion sickness.
• The homeopathic remedy Cocculus 12x or 6c will help if you feel nauseated and the mere smell of food makes you feel sick. You probably feel better under warm blankets.
• If you feel better after eating, when resting quietly with your eyes closed, and when you know the trip will soon be over, take Petroleum 12x or 6c.
• If you are pale, in a cold sweat, feel faint, and are nauseated and vomiting, take Tabacum 6x, 12x, or 5c.
• The scent of fresh lemon can help calm an upset stomach.
• The four gates point in acupressure can help you relax during a trip.

General Recommendations:

• Plan ahead. When it comes to motion sickness, prevention is easier than treatment.
• Do not get up and move around. Movement actually makes motion sickness worse.
• When traveling, take whole-grain crackers with you on trips.
• Try sipping green or ginger tea during long trips. Sucking on fresh lemon may also calm the stomach.
• Avoid large meals.
• Avoid spicy, salty, sugary, heavy, or fatty foods during travel.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid odors and aromas that can bring about nausea.
• Sit still and breathe deeply. Especially try to keep your head still.
• Stay cool, if possible.
• Fresh air can help. If in a car, roll down the window. In an airplane, open the overhead vent.
• When you begin to feel sick, rub or press on your wrist, about three fingers' width down from the line that separates the hand from the arm. Massaging this acupressure point often stops motion sickness.
• Do not read while traveling.