| Motion sickness, car sickness, seasickness - it all boils | | | | supplementary electrical stimulation. |
| down to the same thing: tiredness, headaches, irritability, | | | | 5. Forget the Gravol |
| dizziness, and nausea. Vomiting doesn't relieve the | | | | Conventional nausea medications do not target the |
| symptoms. This affliction makes you feel downright | | | | root cause of motion sickness. However, a |
| miserable and can completely ruin a car excursion or | | | | behind-the-ear scopolamine patch often works very |
| cruise. | | | | effectively. A 'scop-patch' must be applied at least 4 |
| Children are more prone to motion sickness than | | | | hours prior to travel. It is absolutely essential to wash |
| adults. The years between 2 and 12 are the worst. | | | | your hands before and after applying. If you forget and |
| However, many adults suffer as well - often to the | | | | touch your eyes, you can quickly develop itchiness, |
| point of complete incapacitation. | | | | burning, and blurred vision. These patches adhere well |
| Motion sickness is caused by confusion between the | | | | and stay on for days. Scuba divers use them on diving |
| brain and the middle ear. When the eyes perceive that | | | | liveaboards. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor for |
| you are motionless (as below decks in a ship) but the | | | | more information. |
| fluid in the middle ear is rocking and churning, the brain | | | | 6. Nature's Answer |
| reacts with bewilderment. | | | | Ginger has long been used as a folk remedy for |
| Fortunately, the symptoms can be partially prevented | | | | motion sickness. It tastes good - and it probably won't |
| or alleviated. | | | | do any damage - so it's worth a try. You can |
| 1. Proper Diet | | | | purchase sweetened ginger products or gel-caps. |
| Avoid eating excessively salty or fatty foods and | | | | 7. Bookworms Beware! |
| dairy products for 24 hours prior to travel. Just before | | | | The reading of books, maps, or computer screens will |
| your trip, have a nutritious meal high in complex | | | | aggravate motion sickness. Forget about catching up |
| carbohydrates. Carbs help to absorb excess stomach | | | | on your reading or spreadsheets. Instead, relax and |
| acid and tend to be easy on the digestive system. | | | | have a conversation with a fellow passenger. |
| Don't forget to maintain good nutrition before and | | | | 8. Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon |
| during travel with a balanced diet and your usual | | | | If your eyes send the same message to the brain that |
| vitamins, if you normally take them. | | | | it gets from the inner ear, you are less likely to |
| 2. Psychological Preparation | | | | experience nausea. Watch something stationary in the |
| Motion sickness is aggravated by anxiety and stress. | | | | direction of travel whenever possible. If you are in a |
| Pack some soothing music and a personal MP3 player. | | | | ship's cabin, close your eyes and try to nap. The nap |
| Active noise-cancellation headphones help to reduce | | | | will relax you, and the brain will only receive one set of |
| stress caused by loud sounds. Some people also | | | | signals. This tends to make the nausea subside as well. |
| report excellent results with self-hypnosis audio | | | | 9. Back on Land |
| products. | | | | Scenario: You have just spent a couple of days |
| 3. Physical Preparation | | | | onboard ship, and have adjusted quite nicely to the roll |
| If you are tired, stressed, or ill, motion sickness will be | | | | of the ocean. You debark for a land tour - and |
| more severe. Try to get enough sleep before you | | | | suddenly you are overcome by more nausea. Don't |
| travel. Do not put everything off until the last minute. | | | | despair! It is likely your body readjusting to the lack of |
| Advance practice on a trampoline, riding in a car, or | | | | motion. Unless you have picked up a case of |
| riding up and down in an elevator seems to help some | | | | 'Montezuma's Revenge' the nausea will subside. |
| seasickness-prone individuals. | | | | Knowledge is power. Now that you have a few facts, |
| 4. Accupressure Bands | | | | boldly step out where you haven't gone before and |
| Sold under many names, wristbands that apply | | | | enjoy your vacation! |
| pressure to a specific accupressure point may be | | | | ©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to |
| helpful. They come packaged in pairs - one for each | | | | publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the |
| wrist. You can even buy battery-powered models with | | | | author's note below (with active links) are included. |