Coping With Motion Sickness

Overview

Motion sickness is the queasy, dizzy, sweaty feeling some people get when they travel in a car, boat, plane or train, or go on rides and fairground attractions. It happens when your brain gets mixed messages about movement. The balance organs deep inside your ears (part of the inner ear) sense that you are moving, but your eyes may see a still page, phone screen or seat back in front of you. Your brain gets confused by the mismatch and reacts with nausea and dizziness. It is not a sign of a weak stomach or a serious illness, and it usually settles quickly once the movement stops.

Yes, it is very common. Many people feel some motion sickness at least once in their life, and a smaller number feel it every time they travel.

Anyone can get it, but children aged about 2 to 12 are affected most often. People who get migraines, who are pregnant, or who have a sensitive balance system may be more prone to it. Many children grow out of it as they get older.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Feeling sick (nausea) or an urge to vomit
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Cold sweats and clammy skin
• Pale or grey-looking skin
• Extra saliva in the mouth or swallowing a lot
• Headache
• Yawning, burping or sighing more than usual
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling tired or sleepy
• A general sense of feeling unwell

Symptoms in children

• Young children may not be able to explain the feeling, so watch for paleness, sweating or yawning
• Irritability, crying or clinginess
• Sudden sleepiness or going quiet
• Vomiting without other signs of illness
• Refusing food or drink during travel

Symptoms in older adults

• Motion sickness itself is often less intense with age, but the effects can hit harder
• Dizziness that raises the risk of a fall, especially when getting out of a car or off a boat
• Feeling unsteady or light-headed on standing
• Dehydration risk if vomiting happens, especially if you take water tablets (diuretics) or have kidney or heart conditions
• Symptoms that overlap with other balance problems or side effects of medicines, which are worth checking with a doctor

Causes

Main causes

• Travel by car, bus, coach, boat, ferry, plane or train
• Amusement rides and fairground attractions
• Watching fast-moving screens, virtual reality headsets or 3D films
• Reading or looking at a phone while travelling
• Sitting in a seat where you feel a lot of movement but cannot see out
• Swaying movements such as on a swing, in a lift, or on rough water

Risk factors

• Being a child aged about 2 to 12
• Getting migraines
• Being pregnant
• Having a sensitive balance system or a previous head injury
• Feeling anxious about travel, or having had a bad experience before
• Strong smells such as fuel, perfume or food, which can bring on nausea
• Being very tired, hungry or overheated
• Drinking alcohol before travel

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You cannot keep any fluids down and feel very thirsty, dizzy or unwell
• Vomiting lasts more than a day or two
• Dizziness comes with chest pain, fainting or an irregular heartbeat
• You have a sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking
• Symptoms started after a bang to the head
• You have sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears with dizziness

Book a routine appointment if:

• You feel sick or dizzy often, even when you are not travelling
• Motion sickness is stopping you from working, travelling or enjoying normal life
• You want advice on travel sickness medicines and whether they are safe for you
• You take other medicines and are unsure what is safe to use
• You have an inner ear or balance condition and travel makes it worse
• Your child gets motion sickness often and you would like help managing it

Diagnosis

Most people do not need a formal diagnosis. A doctor or pharmacist can usually tell from your description of when the symptoms happen — for example, only in cars or on boats — and how they settle afterwards. The key clue is that the feeling comes with movement and goes away when the movement stops.

Tests that may be done

• Usually none — the story you tell is the main guide
• A blood pressure check, if you feel dizzy or faint
• An ear examination, if there is pain, hearing change or ringing
• A hearing test, if inner ear problems are suspected
• Balance tests or eye movement checks, if dizziness happens without travel
• Blood tests, if another cause such as anaemia or dehydration is possible

What to expect at your appointment

A short conversation about your symptoms and travel habits is often all that is needed. If your doctor wants to rule out another cause, simple checks such as blood pressure, ear examination or a hearing test may be offered. These are quick and painless. Most people leave with practical tips rather than a prescription.

Treatment

The main treatment is prevention and self-care. Planning ahead — choosing the best seat, eating lightly, getting fresh air and avoiding screens — prevents most trouble. For longer or rougher journeys, a pharmacist can advise on medicines that reduce nausea, and some are best taken before you set off rather than once you already feel ill.

Self-care at home

• Look at a fixed point in the distance, such as the horizon or the road ahead
• Sit where there is the least movement: front seat of a car, over the wing on a plane, mid-ship on a boat
• Face forward and rest your head against a headrest
• Avoid reading, phones, tablets and video games while travelling
• Get fresh air — open a window or use the air vent
• Avoid strong smells such as hot food, perfume or fuel
• Eat a light snack before travel rather than a big greasy meal, and avoid alcohol
• Sip water regularly so you do not get dehydrated
• Take breaks on long car journeys to walk around
• Loosen tight clothing and avoid getting too warm
• If you feel sick, close your eyes and breathe slowly and steadily
• Some people find ginger biscuits, ginger tea or sour sweets soothing — ask a pharmacist before using supplements, especially in pregnancy

Medical treatments

Several types of travel sickness medicine are available. Many are tablets or chewable forms, and some come as patches or skin creams. Most work best when taken before the journey starts, because they are much less helpful once nausea has begun. Common options act on the brain's nausea signals, often making you a little drowsy. Because of that drowsiness, some are not suitable if you will be driving or operating machinery, and some need caution with alcohol or other medicines. Some options are not suitable for young children, in pregnancy or for people with certain health conditions such as glaucoma or prostate problems. Always check with a pharmacist or doctor first, tell them about any other medicines and health conditions, and follow the label. Never give a child an adult medicine.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not used to treat motion sickness.

Living with this condition

Once you know your triggers, motion sickness becomes much easier to manage. Many people build a small travel routine: book a seat that suits them, pack water and a plain snack, skip the phone and keep their eyes on the horizon. Knowing you have a plan can take away a lot of the worry.

Lifestyle tips

• Build a travel kit with water, plain snacks, a bag and tissues
• Choose seating early — for example, ask for the front passenger seat or an aisle seat near the wing
• Avoid heavy meals, alcohol and strong smells for a few hours before travelling
• Try gradual exposure: short, gentle journeys first, then longer ones as confidence grows
• Keep the car cool and well ventilated
• Plan rest breaks on long trips
• Take travel sickness medicine before you set off, if you and your pharmacist have decided it is right for you
• Limit screen time in the car, or sit in the front so you can see the road

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet for motion sickness, but light, plain food before travel usually sits better than a large or fatty meal. Drink water steadily through the day so you start well hydrated, and go easy on caffeine and alcohol before a journey. Regular everyday activity, such as walking and gentle balance practice, helps your general balance system stay in good shape. Some people find swimming or activities that involve gentle head movements helpful over time, but build up slowly.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Motion sickness can have a bigger emotional effect than people expect. Feeling sick on every trip can lead to worry, dread before travel, and in some cases avoiding journeys, holidays or work travel altogether. Children may become anxious about car trips. This is very understandable and worth talking about. Breathing slowly, planning ahead and starting with short journeys can gradually rebuild confidence. If travel anxiety is taking over your life, or you feel low or very anxious, please speak to your doctor. If you are ever in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a local crisis support service straight away.

Prevention

Yes, often. Most people can prevent or greatly reduce motion sickness with simple steps: the right seat, looking at the horizon, avoiding screens and strong smells, light eating before travel, fresh air and, for some journeys, medicine taken beforehand. You can also prevent dehydration and tiredness, which both make sickness more likely.

Screening programmes

There is no screening programme for motion sickness. It is something you get to know about yourself and plan around.

Complications

If left untreated

• Dehydration from repeated vomiting, especially in children and older adults
• Tiredness and feeling drained for the rest of the day
• Avoiding travel, including holidays, family events and work trips
• Anxiety or dread about travelling, which can build up over time
• Falls or unsteadiness when getting out of a car or off a boat while dizzy

Long-term outlook

The outlook is good. For most people motion sickness passes quickly once the movement stops, and it often becomes less of a problem with age. With a little planning and a few practical habits, most people manage travel comfortably. If it is still getting in your way, speak to a pharmacist or doctor — there is usually something that can help.

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