Different Ways To Combat Motion Sickness

Different Ways To Combat Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is caused by the motion associated with travel
by ship, air or car, or any activity that is accompanied by irregular
motion.

When a susceptible person is exposed to adequate amounts of such
accelerated stress (motion), symptoms may occur. Such symptoms may
include nausea, sweating, salivation, and drowsiness.

Motion sickness begins in the inner ear. The above mentioned motion
causes fluid changes in the semicircular canals of the inner ear,
making it unable to maintain a state of equilibrium.

Nausea is the sensation leading to the urge to vomit. To vomit is to
force the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of
the mouth.

Although susceptibility among individuals varies widely, motion
sickness generally occurs when the body is subjected to accelerations
of movement in different directions or under conditions in which visual
stimuli, poor ventilation, and anxiety act in concert with linear or
angular motion to precipitate an attack. Cyclic nausea, vomiting, and
vertigo often are the primary symptoms, but hyperventilation, pallor,
cold sweats, and headache also are common.

Treating motion sickness can be accomplished by the prophylactic
administration of antihistamines that have significant anticholinergic
effects, but some evidence does support the use of nonpharmacologic
therapies, such as ginger preparations and acupressure in traditional
Chinese medicine.

Minimize activities or surroundings that make your nausea worse -
sit over the wing of the plane; ride in the front seat of the car and
watch the road; stay on deck in the middle of the ship.

Don't stare at waves or moving objects; instead, look out at a spot 45 degrees above the horizon.

Fresh air may help. If possible, open a window, or sit or take a walk outside.

Try activities to keep your mind occupied, such as needlework,
reading, crossword puzzles or listening to music (sometimes reading or
watching a movie can make it worse)

Recline and try to sleep.

Mild nausea may be relieved by pressing down hard with a thumb or
finger (for a minute or two) on the groove between the two large
tendons (two inches up from, and on the inside of, your wrist) that run
from the base of the palm up to the elbow.

Day-old, unsalted popcorn is an inexpensive way to combat nausea
caused by such conditions as pregnancy or motion sickness. Ideally, the
patient should eat the popcorn 1 hour before or 2 hours after ingesting
fluids.

Try eating olives or sucking on a lemon; these foods make your mouth
dry and help diminish nausea. Soda crackers may help absorb excess
saliva and acid in your stomach. If you feel too sick to eat, try a
drink of ginger ale (made from real ginger) or any carbonated cola
drink.

Ginger root appears to be effective against motion sickness when taken in powdered form. It also may help nausea.

Consult your physician regarding anti-motion-sickness medications.

The now-familiar drug-impregnated skin patches bypass the digestive
system altogether. These foil-backed, adhesive patches set up a tiny
electric current that draws the drug out of the patch and into the
skin. They have been used since the early 1980's to administer such
drugs as scopolamine (effective against motion sickness). Each patch is
about the size of a dime and is worn behind your ear. One patch works
for up to 3 days. Scopolamine reduces the activity of inner ear nerve
fibers that help control balance. In some people, the motion of boats,
airplanes and automobiles increases this fiber activity, causing motion
sickness.

Side effects of the medication may include dry mouth, drowsiness and
blurred vision. In rare cases, the patch can lead to disorientation and
confusion, dizziness, difficulty urinating, skin rashes or dry, itchy
skin.

See also: Jet Lag

- Nancy Bowens, RN, WHCNP, APNP Two Rivers, Wis