Motion sickness (land sickness) is a common problem faced by many people today. Motion sickness is caused by an misalignment between the eyes and the inner ear. The inner ear tells the brain that the body is in motion, but the eye tells the body that it is still. This conflict causes many symptoms of motion sickness. While there is no cure for this problem, there are several things you can do to make it less painful.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Overcoming the Symptoms of Motion Sickness
Step 1. Get some fresh air
Some people may find fresh air to reduce motion sickness. Simply opening a window or vehicle vent can help reduce your symptoms. If symptoms persist, stop the car if possible and get out for some fresh air. Air can help, as can stopping travel for a while. In warm weather conditions, the symptoms of motion sickness in some people can be relieved by turning on the air conditioner. Meanwhile, some others feel better after turning off the air conditioner and breathing fresh air.
Step 2. Cover your view
Often times, motion sickness is caused by movement outside the car. Therefore, hangover symptoms can be relieved by covering your view. In addition, special glasses to cover movement can give the same result.
- Just closing your eyes is also helpful, especially if you can fall asleep.
- You can also try sunglasses or a sleeping mask to simply cover your vision to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness.
- Dry or tired eyes also affect the symptoms of motion sickness. Try using eye drops or splashing water on your face. Removing contact lenses and wearing glasses may also help.
Step 3. Use products made from ginger
Some products containing ginger can also help reduce motion sickness. You can try ginger candy, ginger drink, gingerbread cookies, and various other ginger products. If you are prone to motion sickness, take one or more of these products with you in case you get motion sickness.
Step 4. Eat something dry
Some data suggest that eating something dry like crackers or crackers can help reduce the symptoms of motion sickness because dry food can absorb excess acid in the stomach.
Step 5. Try acupressure
Applying pressure to specific points on your body can help treat the symptoms of motion sickness. Especially the Nei Guan point – the P6 acupressure point, on the bottom of the wrist – can be pressed to help a queasy stomach.
- Find the spot where you normally wear your watch. Look for the midpoint on your wrist, which is a small "concave" where you can feel the tendons. Pressing this point with your fingertips for about 10 seconds should relieve the symptoms of motion sickness.
- If you wear a watch that's tight enough, make a pressure band to help with motion sickness. Roll up paper or bubble gum the size of a pea. Slide this scroll under the band at the points described above.
Method 2 of 2: Preventing Motion Sickness
Step 1. Prevent nausea associated with motion sickness
You can help prevent nausea from motion sickness by avoiding food, drink or alcoholic beverages before driving a car. Any food that you know is unsuitable for you should be avoided. Include foods that may make you feel too full, such as spicy foods or foods rich in fat.
- Some people may also find it difficult to travel on an empty stomach.
- Also avoid eating strong-smelling food in the car as it can help prevent nausea.
Step 2. Sit where you feel the least amount of movement
Because motion sickness results from a mismatch between the movement you feel and the movement you see, choosing a seat that is less affected by the vibrations can help you prevent motion sickness. Front seating is usually the best choice for this.
Never sit with your back to the direction the vehicle is moving because this can really cause motion sickness
Step 3. Avoid visual stimuli that trigger motion sickness
Some of the things that can cause you to get drunk have to do with looks naturally. For example, you should not read when traveling in a car. The movement of the car can make it difficult for you to focus on words, making reading while driving dangerous for those with motion sickness.
- Focusing on one point as you drive may help reduce the effects of motion sickness.
- If you are driving with other people who suffer from motion sickness, seeing them drunk or even just talking about it can trigger motion sickness.
Step 4. Use medication
A number of over-the-counter medications including anticholinergics such as scopolamine, antispasmodics such as promethazine, and sympathomimetics such as ephedrine are available to help prevent motion sickness. Most of these drugs contain a drug called meclizine which is an anti-nausea, as well as antihistamines and antispasmodics. Meclizine specifically targets areas of the brain associated with movement to help prevent the motion sickness that people can experience in cars (and other vehicles).
- If your motion sickness is very severe, your doctor may prescribe scopolamine which can be taken orally, intravenously or topically (on the skin).
- Always discuss drug interactions and side effects with your doctor or pharmacist before using any prescribed medication.
Step 5. Consume ginger
Ginger can be used as an effective alternative treatment to prevent motion sickness for some people. For prevention, you can mix 1/2 tsp of ground ginger with a glass of water and drink it or take two capsules of ginger powder 20 minutes before traveling.
Always have ginger products available to help prevent motion sickness. Carrying candies or gingerbread cookies in your bag or pocket can be very helpful
Step 6. Avoid smoking
Smoking can be a cause of motion sickness. So, you should avoid smoking. A small study shows that quitting nicotine overnight can prevent you from getting drunk. If you are used to smoking, you can reduce this smoking habit in various ways. For additional information, read the article How to Quit Smoking.
Tips
- Seeing things that go by quickly makes you feel drunk.
- Always tell the driver when you start to feel drunk.
- Take deep breaths to calm yourself down. Move your muscles steadily to help reduce motion sickness.
- Avoid covering your mouth when vomiting because the vomit will come out of your nose.
- Sleep! If you can't, try medications that can help you sleep, such as Melatonin.
- If you have had a tendency to get motion sickness, bring a plastic clip bag.
- If the route you are going to take involves driving down a winding road, make plans to rest.
- Some people find that holding the wrist sometimes helps. There is a bracelet with balls in the center to suppress pressure points which can help control motion sickness.
- Try to avoid heavy traffic if possible. Continuous stumbling will not help your condition.
Warning
- Ginger has a sharp taste. So, you should not eat fresh ginger directly. Steep ginger in water or use a little at a time to help relieve motion sickness.
- In general, women are more prone to motion sickness than men. Pregnant women, children aged two to 12 years and people with disorders of the vestibular system or migraines are more prone to motion sickness.
