Motion sickness, which is also known as Kinetosis, is something that sufferers wish they could overcome, but nobody is completely immune from it. It occurs when someone travels in a boat, car, plane or other moving vehicle. Motion sickness can come on very quickly and then often hang on for hours after you’ve stopped moving. It is especially awful for some poor souls that cannot even walk or move about without suffering from it.
Normally, when a person moves, his muscles move or their sense of touch stimulates the brain, but when the human body is moving and the body is sensing none of these things, it cannot understand why the eyes are seeing movement and nothing physically seems to be in motion. Another cause is that the inner ear can get filled with liquid and that throws off a person’s balance. This can all be followed by nausea and dizziness.
Some people only suffer under certain circumstances. For instance, someone could be fine while flying in an airplane, but very sick when in a car or other motorized vehicle. Some just have to avoid winding roads, others however cannot handle any kind of motion without becoming ill. Some only get nauseous, while others vomit profusely. So, do you have to quit traveling altogether? Not likely.
Kids can be especially hit by motion sickness, but many outgrow it. What outgrowing it means is speculative, but it might be that some people’s bodies adapt to movement more easily than other people’s do. Each individual is different and some are more prone to getting it than others, but in the right circumstances, anyone is capable of getting motion sickness. Women are also at a higher risk for motion sickness due to the fact that they have hormonal changes. Those who suffer with migraines and who may be coming down with an illness are also more prone to getting motion sickness.
How do you know if you’re getting sick? It can be as simple as beginning to yawn. While yawning isn’t a sure sign, it is an early symptom. Then people can become dizzy, their skin grows pale and they feel nauseous. They might even experience restlessness or get a headache and begin to sweat. After these types of symptoms, people tend to get sleepy.
Unless you are driving, sleep actually is a good deterrent to motion sickness. Falling asleep at the onset of symptoms can stop them from occurring at all. If the eyes don’t see the movement, the mind can ignore it. There are other things that can help you avoid getting sick and/or reduce the symptoms. First, avoid products that contain caffeine, but do stay hydrated. It is also a good idea to pack some light snacks for along the way, but nothing too sweet. Fresh air is helpful too, consider opening a window or pointing the A/C vents directly at you. It never hurts to take a break either. Stop if possible and walk around a bit every now and then.
Some people find that over the counter motion sickness pills help, but others swear by the pressure point bracelets. In the long run, it comes down to what works best for you. Finally, if nothing else seems to help see a doctor. Doctors can prescribe medications that can help reduce motion sickness.