Published on Nov 21, 2023 | 12:10 PM
Whether for a trip at any time of the year or for the upcoming holidays, getting sick on the road makes it much harder to have fun. Mostly affecting children between ages two to twelve and adult women, it's estimated that one in three people get motion sickness when traveling. (1) Depending on multiple factors, getting carsick on a long drive can make the trip far more difficult to get through, which is why it's important to understand why it happens and how to avoid it
Just like food poisoning is a direct response to contaminated or old food, getting motion sickness in cars, planes, and boats is a natural occurrence that can happen to anyone. Motion sickness from air, sea, and car travel is caused by a conflict between the visual information perceived by your eyes and the spatial orientation sensed by your inner ear. (2) Here's how motion sickness is triggered:
Visual Input: Your eyes send signals to the brain about what you see. For example, when you're in a car, your eyes may perceive the interior of the vehicle, which appears stationary.
Vestibular System Input: The inner ear, specifically the vestibular system, detects motion and changes in head position. In a moving car, this system senses acceleration, deceleration, and changes in direction.
Conflict Between Inputs: When you're in a moving vehicle, your eyes may tell your brain that you're sitting still, but your inner ear senses the motion. This mismatch of information creates confusion for the brain.
Brain’s Interpretation: The brain interprets this sensory conflict as a potential toxin or poisoning, as it might result from ingesting something harmful or different that causes a similar discrepancy between visual and vestibular inputs.
Brain's Response: In response, the brain triggers a series of responses aimed at eliminating the perceived toxin. These responses can include:
Symptoms can vary from person to person, but in general according to studies, here are common trends for motion sickness by demographic data:
While the internal sensory conflict between visual input and signals from the vestibular system is a key factor in motion sickness, there are also external factors that can contribute to or exacerbate the sensation of motion sickness. These factors can include:
Especially during the holidays, people travel several miles to join their families in celebrating days like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and more. For 2023, it's estimated that over 55 million Americans will travel over 50 miles to see family for Thanksgiving. (8) Whether for themselves or their children, preemptive treatment for car sickness or general motion sickness is one of the best ways to enjoy the journey during the holidays. Call-On-Doc offers a number of options for those needing prescriptions all year round, with our most common options include:
Those with children should especially consider keeping pediatric services on hand when taking a trip or holiday that involves driving long distances. Not only do we offer motion sickness treatment, but CallonDoc also makes sure you can get prescriptions for your child throughout the United States 7 days a week (including holidays).
Distractions can be effective in managing and alleviating feelings of nausea. Here are some distractions that may help take your mind off nausea:
Eating before riding along on a long drive is a common factor behind motion sickness, especially if the food is greasy, fried, or spicy. We recommend opting for a smaller meal hours before having to hit the road. Similar to diets suggested for cases of nausea and vomiting, foods that fill the stomach while being less likely to trigger motion sickness include:
Aromatherapy is not only credited for helping reduce motion sickness symptoms but also those related to conditions like migraines. While aromatherapy is not something that works for everyone, the most common scents known for helping soothe those suffering from car sickness include:
Due to it being considered a natural response to sensory conflicts, motion sickness prevention can sometimes be difficult. However, there are steps you can take to boost your chances of having an enjoyable ride, with the most common steps including:
If you or a loved one struggles with motion sickness, consider planning ahead with a preventative prescription to make traveling more comfortable for everyone. Call-On-Doc is available for quick online prescriptions and can provide motion sickness treatment in two hours or less to any local pharmacy.
English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.
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