A significant chunk of us have felt motion sickness at some point in our lives. It can happen any time your body is still but the vehicle you’re in is moving. Luckily, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent symptoms of motion sickness so that you can enjoy your trip or activity.
Before going any further, it is easy to wonder; why does motion sickness happen? Well, the feeling of being motion sick happens when your eyes and your inner ear don’t agree on what is taking place. This can happen when you’re sitting or standing still but the object you’re in is moving. It can lead to dizziness, nausea, headache, or sweating.
Remember, motion sickness can happen in a variety of situations. Feeling seasick remains to be the most common form. An interesting fact is that the word ‘nausea’ is derived from the ‘Greek’ word “Naus” which means ship. Nausea means “ship sickness.”
However, motion sickness can happen to people travelling by car, bus, and place. And some people can get it from theme park rides. It can even happen to people who use virtual reality headsets.
It is worth mentioning that women are more likely to feel motion sickness as opposed to men. Children under the age of 2 are typically resistant to motion sickness, while those around the age of 9 are more prone.
There are other factors that can increase the chances of feeling motion sickness. These include a history of migraines, hormonal changes, genetics, and even mindset. Often, those who expect to get sick are the ones who do.
Are there ways to prevent motion sickness? The answer is YES. Anti motion sickness patches help prevent nausea and vomiting. Doctors may prescribe them if you experience nausea due to medications or motion sickness.
Like most medications, anti-motion sickness patches can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild and temporary. But in rare cases, serious side effects can occur that need urgent medical attention.
If you are taking medication for motion sickness, follow the directions that come with the medication. Many medications recommend that you take them at least one hour before travelling. Either way, people with a history of the following medical conditions should use caution and speak with their health care provider before taking medications for motion sickness to avoid unnecessary health complications.