We know: Motion Sickness Facts

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is nausea usually caused by travel in a car, boat, airplane, train, etc. It’s also called kinetosis.

Motion sickness is more common in women, especially during pregnancy or menstruation, children age 2-12, and in persons who have migraine headaches.

The symptoms of motion sickness appear when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from the other systems in your body, including your inner ear, eyes and muscles, about your balance and equilibrium.

What are the common symptoms of motion sickness?

Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, pallor, and cold sweats.

How can I help avoid motion sickness?

Travelers who are susceptible to motion sickness can minimize symptoms by:

choosing seats with the smoothest ride (front seat of a car, forward cars of a train, and the seats over the wings in an airplane)
sit facing forward
focusing on distant objects rather than trying to read or look at something inside the vehicle
lying on the back with the face upward
don’t smoke
eat dry crackers
drink a carbonated beverage

What kinds of medications are available?

Medications that may ameliorate symptoms of motion sickness include scopolamine (available in both patch and oral form), oral meclizine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, and promethazine