Motion Sickness Prevention

Strategies to prevent motion sickness include:

Medications

Medications that prevent motion sickness should be taken at least one hour before you begin a trip or ride. Side effects that the medications commonly cause often include drowsiness and lack of alertness or trouble concentrating.

Medications include:

• Over-the-counter antihistamines-work by calming excess stimulation of the inner ear
• Prescription scopolamine-works slowly over a period of about three days (available in many forms, including patches or pills)
• Prescription sedative or tranquilizer-may be available if you suffer from severe or recurrent motion sickness

Alternative Remedies

Commonly used alternative remedies include:

• Pressure patches-worn on the wrists to put pressure on the pulse points of the wrist. Their effectiveness has not been proven.
• Ginger-used for centuries to treat motion sickness. While research is not conclusive, several clinical trials suggest that ginger may help with motion sickness.

Preparing for the Ride

• Avoid the following before a trip or ride:
  • Heavy meals or spicy foods
  • Excess alcohol
  • Lack of sleep
• During a trip or ride avoid:
  • Reading (if you are prone to motion sickness)
  • Looking at others who are experiencing motion sickness
  • Talking about motion sickness
  • Large or heavy meal
    • During long trips, eat small, frequent meals or snacks consisting of easily digestible food or drink.
    • During short trips, avoid eating or drinking.
  • Excess alcohol
  • Looking at moving objects-Look at nonmoving objects in the distance.
• During a trip in a car:
  • Sit in the front seat and look out the windshield.
  • Drive if possible.
  • Ask the driver to slow down or stop if you begin to feel sick.
• During a plane or train ride, look out a window.
• In a plane, sit over the wing for a less bumpy ride.
• During a boat ride:
  • Sit towards the middle of the boat.
  • Get plenty of fresh air.
  • Do not stay below deck for long periods of time (especially on smaller boats).
• Avoid amusement park and virtual reality rides if you are prone to motion sickness.