It’s not strange to run into a passenger suffering from motion sickness. This is actually a pretty common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Basically, motion sickness is a feeling of nausea and vomiting that people experience when in motion but sitting still. A typical example is when riding in a car, boat, or plane. Contrary to popular belief, motion sickness isn’t something someone can just snap out of. It is caused by valid factors, which we’ll discuss below and offer insight into how to remedy.
Common Motion Sickness Causes
There are two leading causes of motion sickness, and both are related to the kind of messages that various body parts send to the brain. When in a car, the eyes notice movement as you drive across trees, buildings, and other vehicles. The eyes then signal the brain that there is movement.
On the other hand, the ears and nerve endings notice that your body is sitting still and, therefore, signals to the brain that you are not moving. This results in conflicting messages in the brain. It becomes impossible for the mind to know whether you’re moving.
To some people, this is not an issue. However, to others, this can trigger motion sickness, which can appear at once or develop gradually. The most common signs and symptoms are nausea and vomiting, but it can also lead to dizziness, headache, fatigue, sweating, rapid breathing, and general anxiety. Long-term exposure to motion sickness can lead to a fear of traveling through certain means such as road or sea.
Motion Sickness Risk Factors
Besides the two causes listed above, there are a couple of risk factors associated with motion sickness. For instance, it is more prevalent in children aged from 2 to 12 years old. Children who suffer from motion sickness may recover in their teen phase, whereas in others, it may transcend into adulthood.
Also, if there is a family history of motion sickness, children may inherit this condition from their parents. This often results in a psychological reaction to watching a parent portray signs of motion sickness. Expectant mothers and those currently experiencing menstrual periods are at a higher risk factor for motion sickness. The same applies to people who have Parkinson’s disease or those who frequently deal with migraines.
Still, on risk factors, some players of virtual reality games have also reported experiencing motion sickness. VR games and movies are similar to traveling on a boat or car. The eyes can see movement, but the ears and nerves fully know you’re still seated. That results in conflicted signals to the brain, as explained earlier. Other people also report motion sickness after boarding those amusement park rides.
Is Motion Sickness Life-threatening?
Physicians agree that there are no severe health complications associated with motion sickness. However, the feelings of nausea, vomiting, and headache can be quite uncomfortable, especially when traveling for long distances. It’s also important to note that too much vomiting is deadly and can lead to dehydration.
How to Cure Motion Sickness
A simple visit to a doctor can diagnose whether you’re suffering from motion sickness. They will then share some tips on reducing these signs and symptoms. For instance, you’ll be advised to get fresh air when in a moving vehicle. Opening the window can help with this.
Doctors may also advise distracting oneself when traveling. You can read a book, watch a movie, or look at objects on the horizon, such as mountains and trees. Alternatively, you can lie back and sleep. This is highly effective because when the body is asleep, it does not send mixed signals to the brain.
For those who get motion sickness from amusement park rides or virtual reality games, it wouldn’t hurt to take a break. Participate in such forms of entertainment occasionally or stop them altogether. What fun is there to end up vomiting all over the amusement park just for one ride?
Another thing that helps reduce motion sickness symptoms is carefully choosing where you sit. Sit near the window to access fresh air if it’s on a bus. As for private cars, sit in the front passenger seat. In planes, sitting in the wing section is more ideal. Finally, for boats, the middle area will be more convenient for people who suffer from motion sickness.
In instances where the symptoms of motion sickness are so severe, doctors can recommend antihistamines. Not just regular antihistamines but those that cause drowsiness. These are more effective at reducing the symptoms of motion sickness. There are also patches that can be used to prevent vomiting. These should be applied a few hours before boarding the car, boat, or plane.
Do Motion Sickness Bracelets Work?
Recently, some medical practitioners have introduced motion sickness bracelets and glasses. Very little research has been done on this, so we can’t authenticate their effectiveness. Be as it may, they are worth a try. Some people have reported that these motion sickness glasses and bracelets are effective. So, it’s an option worth considering.