- What Is It?
- How to Prevent
What is motion sickness (sea sickness, car sickness, altitude sickness)?
Motion sickness is the feeling you get when the motion you sense with your inner ear is different from the motion you visualize. It is a common condition that occurs in some people who travel by car, train, airplane, or boat. Many people suffer from this condition if they ride on a roller coaster or other similar amusement park rides.
Although pregnant women and children are more susceptible to motion sickness, almost anyone who is traveling is at risk for motion sickness. For those people who travel on boats, seasickness can be considered a form of motion sickness. Other risk factors include:
- Person's fear or anxiety about traveling
- Mode of travel
- Poor ventilation in the traveling vehicle
- The inability to see out of a window to aid orientation
What are the symptoms of motion sickness?
The signs and symptoms of motion sickness usually begin with a feeling of uneasiness followed by cold sweats (sweating) and dizziness. Some people may exhibit:
Nausea and vomiting usually occur after these initial symptoms.
When should I call a doctor for motion sickness?
Most people with motion sickness do not need to see a doctor to treat it unless they experience dehydration from persistent and intractable vomiting. For most people with motion sickness, the symptoms slowly decrease and then disappear.
What causes motion sickness?
Motion sickness is caused by the mixed signals sent to the brain by the eyes and the inner ear (semicircular canals). If you cannot see the motion your body's feeling, or conversely, if you cannot feel the motion your eyes see, then it is likely that your brain will get mixed signals and you will develop some aspect or symptom of motion sickness.
See AnswerDo you need to see a doctor to treat motion sickness?
Most people with motion sickness do not need to see their doctor to treat it. Usually, laboratory testing is not required.
What home remedies help motion sickness go away?
Before taking these medications, read the precautions because many of these drugs have side effects, for example:
- Dry mouth
- Blurry vision
- Disorientation (occasionally)
People who drive vehicles or operate heavy equipment should not take these medications.
- Treatment for motion sickness can consist of simple changes in the environment, for example, getting fresh air.
- Some people with motion sickness respond well to biofeedback training and relaxation techniques.
- Herbs to treat motion sickness are ginger, peppermint, and tea.
- Some people respond to acupuncture.
What medicine makes motion sickness go away? Can you cure motion sickness?
Most people with motion sickness can prevent it by taking medications that you put on the skin. Most drugs used to treat motion sickness can help prevent it, but they cannot be cured. Over-the-counter medications, and occasionally prescription medications, are used to relieve and in some cases prevent motion sickness. Some of the more common medications that can be used for motion sickness include:
- scopolamine (transdermal patches, Transderm-Scop)
- dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
- meclizine (Antivert, Bonine, Meni-D, Antrizine)
- promethazine (Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan)
- diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- cyclizine (Marezine)
- Could Ozempic Help Prevent Opioid Overdoses?
- Trial Confirms 'Life-Changing' Impact of Gene Therapy for Hemophilia B
- Most Pregnant Women Will Become Iron Deficient, Study Finds
- Airports Take Big Toll on Sleep of Those Living Nearby
- One More Death Tied to Listeria From Boar's Head Deli Meats
- More Health News »
How can I prevent motion sickness?
Most people with motion sickness can prevent it by taking medications. Most drugs used to treat motion sickness will help prevent it rather than curing it.
There are other ways to reduce or prevent motion sickness without the use of medication. The following is a list of suggestions that may help reduce or prevent motion sickness:
- Eat light meals or snacks 24 hours before traveling and try to avoid big or high-fat meals.
- Sit toward the front of an aircraft for a smoother ride.
- If you're on a boat, ask for a cabin on the upper deck toward the front of the boat, and keep your eyes fixed as much as possible on the horizon or land.
- During car travel, sit in the front seat of the car, keep your eyes on the horizon, rest your head against the seat back, and try to hold relatively still.
- On planes, trains, and cars, turn the air vents toward your face.
- Avoid smoking.
- Short, shallow, and rapid breathing can often contribute to motion sickness symptoms, therefore concentrate on maintaining slow and deep breathing.
There are companies that market bracelets and bands that claim they can prevent motion sickness using acupressure technology against certain pressure points that block the transmission of nausea before the brain can register it. Though these products may work for some people, most evidence is anecdotal, and large studies have not been conducted to prove efficacy.
Motion Sickness. University of Maryland Medical Center.
Top Motion Sickness (Sea Sickness, Car Sickness) Related Articles
Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese practice of inserting needles in specific points on the body to manipulate the flow of energy or Qi. Side effects of acupuncture are rare. Infection and injury from needles at acupuncture points are possible with poor hygiene or untrained practitioners.Anticholinergic and Antispasmodic Drugs
Anticholinergic or antispasmodic drugs include prescription medications used to treat a variety of medical conditions. Review anticholinergic drug side effects, drug interactions, storage, dosing, and pregnancy and safety information prior to taking this medication.Antiemetics
Nausea and vomiting after eating are symptoms that may be caused by many conditions. Antiemetics are drugs that help get rid of nausea and vomiting. Though some antiemetics for motion sickness and mild nausea remedies are available over the counter (OTC), most require a medical evaluation and prescription. Read experts describing what causes nausea and how to stop nausea and vomiting.Antihistamine Shots (Injections)
Antihistamine shots or injections are prescription drugs used for the rapid treatment of allergic reactions, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and induce sedation. The common side effects of this type of medication include dizziness, drowsiness (sleepiness), dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, increased or decreased blood pressure, headache, abnormal heart rate, nausea, trouble breathing, tiredness (fatigue), and weakness.Antihistamines (Oral)
Oral antihistamines are medications used to treat symptoms of congestion, runny nose, the common cold, sneezing, itchy throat, skin rashes, hives, itching, and watery or itchy eyes. Some antihistamines also are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and motion sickness. Common side effects of first-generation antihistamines include drowsiness, dry mouth, decreased tear production, urinary retention (trouble urinating), blurred vision, constipation, and agitation.Balance Slideshow
What is vertigo? What causes dizziness? Understand different balance disorders and symptoms such as vertigo, motion sickness, nausea, and more.COPD
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung condition caused by smoking tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke, and/or air pollutants. Conditions that accompany COPD include chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, and emphysema. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough. Treatment of COPD includes GOLD guidelines, smoking cessation, medications, and surgery. The life expectancy of a person with COPD depends on the stage of the disease.Dehydration in Adults & Children
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of dehydration include headache, lightheadedness, constipation, and bad breath. Treatment for dehydration is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an OTC and prescription injection medication used to treat hay fever, hives, allergic conjunctivitis, motion sickness, and mild cases of Parkinsonism. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, storage, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed before taking this medication.Dizziness
Dizziness is a symptom that often applies to a variety of sensations including lightheadedness and vertigo. Causes of dizziness include low blood pressure, heart problems, anemia, dehydration, and other medical conditions. Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause.Fatigue
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases, for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, and drug abuse.First Aid: Why You Need a First Aid Kit and CPR
First aid is providing medical assistance to someone a sick or injured person. The type of first aid depends on their condition. Preparedness is key to first aid, like having basic medical emergency kits in your home, car, boat, or RV. Many minor injuries may require first aid, including cuts, puncture wounds, sprains, strains, and nosebleeds. Examples of more critical first aid emergencies include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and heatstroke.Headache
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many conditions including motion sickness, pregnancy, emotional stress, gallbladder disease, and other illnesses. Learn about causes, treatment, and when to be concerned.Travel Medicine
Travelers should prepare for their trip by visiting their physician to get the proper vaccinations and obtain the necessary medication if they have a medical condition or chronic disease. Diseases that travelers may pick up from contaminated water or food, insect or animal bites, or from other people include:- malaria,
- meningococcal meningitis,
- yellow fever,
- hepatitis A,
- typhoid fever,
- polio, and
Take the quiz and find out the causes, symptoms, treatments, and ways to prevent the confusing balance disorder called vertigo.What Can Trigger Vertigo?
Vertigo is the sensation of spinning or rocking, even when someone is at rest. Vertigo may be caused by a problem in the brain or spinal cord or a problem within in the inner ear. Head injuries, certain medications, and female gender are associated with a higher risk of vertigo. Medical history, a physical exam, and sometimes an MRI or CT scan are required to diagnose vertigo. The treatment of vertigo may include medication, special exercises to reposition loose crystals in the inner ear, or exercises designed to help the patient re-establish a sense of equilibrium. Controlling risk factors for stroke (blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, and blood glucose) may decrease the risk of developing vertigo.