Motion sickness: symptoms, causes, medicine, and how to deal with it

Motion sickness is a common condition that makes traveling unpleasant for many people. It happens when your brain receives conflicting information about movement from your eyes, muscles, and inner ear. This confusion leads to uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and sometimes vomiting.

The term comes from a Greek word meaning “sickness caused by movement.” Although it is not usually life threatening, it can make you feel sick and ruin trips, cruises, flights, or even amusement park rides.

Let’s understand why it happens and how to prevent motion sickness, relieve motion sickness, and choose the right motion sickness medicine.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when your body senses real or perceived motion, but your brain cannot properly process it. This mismatch is called sensory conflict.

For example:

• Your eyes may see a still cabin while your inner ear detects motion.
• You may be reading in a moving car.
• You may experience virtual motion sickness while using virtual reality or playing video games.
• This sensory mismatch triggers classic motion sickness symptoms.

Why does motion sickness happen?

The inner ear has parts called semicircular canals that help you keep your balance and know when you're moving. When your eyes and these balance parts send different messages to your brain, like when you're reading in a moving car, your brain gets confused. This confusion can cause motion sickness. Also, motion sickness is linked to unusual activity in your stomach, and some treatments help by calming this stomach activity.

Common motion sickness symptoms

The symptoms of motion sickness can vary from mild to severe symptoms.

Early symptoms start with:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feeling warm
• Cold sweat

Other symptoms may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale skin
• Increased saliva
• Fatigue

In some cases, symptoms begin within minutes of travel. For others, symptoms start after prolonged exposure.

Usually, symptoms improve once the motion stops.

Types of motion sickness

a. Visually induced motion sickness

This happens when visual input causes confusion. It is common with:

• Virtual reality
• Simulators
• 3D movies
• Playing video games

This is also called virtual motion sickness.

b.Space motion sickness

Astronauts may experience space motion sickness due to the absence of gravity affecting the inner ear.

c. Motion sickness on rides

Many people experience motion sickness on amusement park rides due to rapid spinning and sudden direction changes.

Who is more likely to experience motion sickness?

Certain risk factors increase motion sickness susceptibility:

• Children (especially ages 2–12)
• Pregnant women
• People with migraine headaches
• Those with balance disorders
• Individuals with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• People with anxiety
• History of similar symptoms

According to information shared by the Vestibular Disorders Association, individuals with balance conditions may present similarly to motion sickness cases.

Motion sickness affects a large part of the general population, but severity varies.

How to prevent motion sickness

The best approach is to avoid motion sickness before symptoms start.

1. Choose the right seat

• Sit in the front seat of a car.
• Take the front passenger seat instead of the back.
• Choose a window seat on planes.
• On buses, choose a forward facing seat.
• Always face forward and focus on the horizon.

If possible, sit in the front where movement feels less intense.

2. Focus on a fixed point

Look at a stationary object or distant horizon instead of reading or using your phone. Focusing on a fixed point helps reduce sensory conflict.

3. Get fresh air

Open a window or step outside for fresh air when possible.

4. Avoid heavy meals

Avoid a heavy meal, spicy food, or too much sugar before traveling.

Eat light snacks like:

• Plain crackers
• Toast
• Bananas

Avoid fizzy drinks, though some people find small sips of ginger ale helpful.

5. Practice mindful breathing

Slow, steady mindful breathing can calm nausea and reduce anxiety.

Motion sickness medicine

If prevention is not enough, you may need motion sickness medicines.

a. Over-the-counter options

Many over the counter medications are available.

Always consult family physicians before giving medication to children.

b. Prescription medications

For frequent or severe cases, doctors may prescribe stronger medicine such as scopolamine patches.

Natural and alternative treatments

Some people prefer alternative treatments.

a. Ginger

Ginger may help reduce nausea and gastric discomfort.

b. Acupressure

Studies suggest acupressure relieves nausea for some individuals. Acupressure bands worn on the wrist are widely available.

c. Stay hydrated

Always drink lots of water before and during travel.

How to relieve motion sickness once it starts

If you already feel motion sick:

1. Stop reading or using screens.

2. Look at the horizon.

3. Close your eyes briefly.

4. Take deep breaths.

5. Get fresh air.

6. Sip water.

7. Avoid strong smells.

Most symptoms improve when the motion stops.

When to see a doctor

Motion sickness is not usually dangerous. However, seek medical advice if:

• Symptoms are frequent and severe.
• You experience balance problems even without travel.
• Symptoms resemble other conditions.
• Conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo may present similarly but require different treatment.
• Persistent dizziness could indicate another issue.

Can motion sickness be cured permanently?

There is no permanent cure, but you can significantly prevent motion sickness with behavioral changes, seat selection, medication, and gradual exposure therapy.

Some research suggests repeated exposure may improve tolerance and human performance over time.

Conclusion

Motion sickness happens when your brain receives mixed signals from your eyes and inner ear. The resulting sensory conflict leads to symptoms of motion sickness such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.

Although not life threatening, it can make traveling uncomfortable and even lead to social isolation for people who avoid trips.

If symptoms are frequent or severe, consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.

With the right strategy, you can travel comfortably and confidently without letting motion sickness control your plans.

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ARN: Zuno/Blog/DM/Motion sickness: symptoms, causes, medicine, and how to deal with it/02/26/08