You may have experienced motion sickness, also known as becoming seasick or carsick or having vertigo. You may have been riding in a car, boat, train, or airplane, or you may have been on a carnival ride. Motion sickness isn’t life-threatening, and fortunately, there are ways to anticipate and mitigate motion sickness.
Some people are more susceptible to motion sickness than others. Motion sickness is most common among children and pregnant women. Older adults, those who regularly suffer from migraine headaches, and people of all ages with inner ear infections also may be more susceptible. Motion sickness can run in families but may affect some family members and not others.
Cause and Symptoms
Motion sickness is believed to be caused by incongruence or incompatibility of the body’s sensory systems. Motion is sensed by your brain through pathways of the nervous system, like your eyes and inner ear. Simply put, you feel like you’re moving but you’re not; it’s the car or boat that’s moving.
Symptoms vary from person to person, but here are 10 symptoms to look for:
- A cold sweat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Pale skin
- Yawning
- Drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shallow breathing
Treatment
Natural holistic medicine in Arlington Heights, IL, may help with your motion sickness. Holistic treatments, such as lifestyle modifications, herbal and nutritional therapy, and cognitive therapy, are noninvasive alternatives to medication. An integrative holistic medicine practitioner looks at the overall wellness of the patient. For example, the patient is encouraged to make better food choices, exercise more, and think more about joint mental and physical needs.
If you travel often, you may benefit from supplements or cognitive behavioral therapy. Boosting your levels of vitamin B-6 may help with motion sickness. Some scientists believe low serotonin levels in the brain may be linked to motion sickness. Levels of serotonin can be raised with supplements like 5-Hydroxytryptophan. Biofeedback therapy may be used to control your response to motion.
Watching what you eat or drink before traveling can help you avoid or control motion sickness. Avoid drinking heavily or smoking before a planned trip, and drink plenty of water. Stay away from foods that make you feel full, have strong odors, or are spicy. Some studies suggest ginger can prevent motion sickness.
Some natural treatments may stop your motion sickness once you start to experience symptoms. Press an acupressure point along your wrist for 4 or 5 seconds. Certain scents, such as lavender essential oils, may help. Peppermint essential oil can reduce nausea, chamomile tea may soothe your stomach, and licorice root may help ward off nausea and vomiting.
Prevention
Be smart when traveling to avoid or control motion sickness. You’re less likely to suffer from motion sickness if you drive or sit in the front seat of a car. Find a seat over a wing on a plane, and find a seat facing forward on a train. Don’t read a book or text on your phone while you’re traveling.
You can take steps to relieve symptoms from motion sickness. When you first notice symptoms, change positions or distract yourself. Lying down may make you feel better. Focus on a stationary object in the distance. Get some fresh air by rolling down a window or turning the vents on a plane toward you. Eat a light snack, such as crackers, and drink water or a carbonated beverage.
If you regularly suffer from motion sickness, make an appointment at Midwest Allergy Relief Centers for holistic treatments that may help relieve your symptoms.
