Published on Nov 21, 2023 | 12:10 PM
Share Article :
Why It Happens and How to Prevent It
Nausea during road trips is most commonly caused by motion sickness, which occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes, inner ear, and body. While the inner ear senses movement, the eyes may focus on a fixed object, such as a phone or book, creating sensory mismatch.
Motion sickness can affect both children and adults and may worsen with long drives, winding roads, fatigue, dehydration, or anxiety.
Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to more severe nausea.
Common symptoms include:
Nausea or upset stomach
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Cold sweats
Fatigue
Headache
Vomiting in more severe cases
Symptoms often improve once motion stops but can persist if triggers continue.
Prevention strategies focus on reducing sensory conflict and supporting the body during travel.
Sitting in the front seat, facing forward, and keeping your eyes on the road or horizon can help. Avoid reading or looking at screens during travel. Ensuring good airflow, opening windows when possible, and keeping the vehicle cool may also reduce symptoms.
What you eat and drink before and during a road trip can influence nausea.
Light meals before travel are generally better tolerated than heavy or greasy foods. Staying hydrated helps prevent nausea, but sipping fluids slowly is preferable to drinking large amounts at once. Ginger, peppermint, and bland foods may help settle the stomach for some individuals.
Children are particularly prone to motion sickness.
Encouraging children to look out the window, take breaks during long trips, and avoid screens can help. Keeping snacks light and regular may also reduce symptoms. Children should be seated where motion feels most stable, typically near the center of the vehicle.
Over-the-counter motion sickness medications can be helpful for some people.
These medications work best when taken before symptoms begin. A healthcare provider can help determine which option is appropriate, especially for children, older adults, or individuals with underlying medical conditions.
Medical advice may be needed if nausea is severe, persistent, or occurs without motion. Ongoing nausea, vomiting, or dizziness may indicate another underlying condition that requires evaluation.
Call-On-Doc offers convenient medical guidance for travel-related symptoms, including nausea and motion sickness.
Through telehealth, patients can:
Discuss nausea prevention strategies
Review medication options
Get guidance for children or frequent travelers
Healthcare that fits your life — not your calendar.
updated 01/28/2026 Shelly House, FNP, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Call-On-Doc’s trusted medical education voice. With extensive experience in telehealth and patient-centered care, Ms. House is dedicated to making complex health topics simple and accessible. Through evidence-based content, provider collaboration, and a passion for empowering patients, her mission is to break down barriers to healthcare by delivering clear, compassionate, and practical medical guidance.
7 Reasons Why You Should Use Call-On-Doc for Online Pediatric Doctor Visits
In today’s healthcare landscape, getting timely, affordable care for your child can still be challenging—especially when schedules are tight, clinics are overbooked, and costs continue to rise. Founded in 2017, Call-On-Doc has become a trusted leader in telemedicine across the United States by providing accessible, affordable, and effective online pediatric care for families nationwide.
The COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed how families access healthcare. Telemedicine is no longer a temporary solution—it’s a proven, reliable way to receive medical care, including pediatric services. While many parents were initially hesitant about virtual care, experience has shown that telemedicine can safely and effectively address a wide range of childhood health concerns.
Here are seven reasons why families continue to choose Call-On-Doc for pediatric care.
Mar 03, 2021 | 5:28 PM
Read More
Do You Have the Flu or COVID-19? How to Tell the Difference
When it comes to respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 and the flu (influenza) share a lot in common. Both are highly contagious, spread in similar ways, and often produce overlapping symptoms.
Many people can find it nearly impossible to tell them apart just by how they feel, especially in the early stages of illness. This overlap is particularly problematic during flu season, when cases of both flu and COVID-19 spike, increasing the chances of infection with one or even both viruses.
Both COVID-19 and the flu can begin with mild symptoms that may gradually or suddenly worsen. They share common symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue, making it easy to confuse the two.
Knowing the common differences between COVID-19 and the flu can help guide your decisions about treatment, isolation, and when to seek medical care. However, it’s important to remember testing is the most reliable way to confirm your diagnosis. Factors like vaccination status, virus variants, and overall health can also influence how you experience symptoms for both illnesses.
Oct 11, 2021 | 2:58 PM
Read More
5 Reasons Why You Should Still Use Telemedicine After COVID-19
With the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, telemedicine became a vital part of healthcare delivery. What was once viewed as a convenient alternative to traditional doctor visits has now evolved into a core component of modern healthcare.
While virtual visits don’t replace every in-person service—such as physical exams, imaging, or certain lab tests—today’s leading telehealth platforms bridge that gap. Services like CallOnDoc combine virtual care with access to lab testing, diagnostic imaging, and at-home test kits, offering patients more comprehensive coverage than ever before.
As the pandemic has eased, many expected telehealth use to decline. Instead, utilization has remained strong—and continues to grow. Patients have experienced firsthand how technology can improve access, speed, and affordability of care. Here are five reasons telemedicine remains a preferred option well beyond COVID-19.
Feb 15, 2022 | 5:58 PM
Read More
7 Reasons Why You Should Use Call-On-Doc for Online Pediatric Doctor Visits
In today’s healthcare landscape, getting timely, affordable care for your child can still be challenging—especially when schedules are tight, clinics are overbooked, and costs continue to rise. Founded in 2017, Call-On-Doc has become a trusted leader in telemedicine across the United States by providing accessible, affordable, and effective online pediatric care for families nationwide.
The COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed how families access healthcare. Telemedicine is no longer a temporary solution—it’s a proven, reliable way to receive medical care, including pediatric services. While many parents were initially hesitant about virtual care, experience has shown that telemedicine can safely and effectively address a wide range of childhood health concerns.
Here are seven reasons why families continue to choose Call-On-Doc for pediatric care.
Mar 03, 2021 | 5:28 PM
Do You Have the Flu or COVID-19? How to Tell the Difference
When it comes to respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 and the flu (influenza) share a lot in common. Both are highly contagious, spread in similar ways, and often produce overlapping symptoms.
Many people can find it nearly impossible to tell them apart just by how they feel, especially in the early stages of illness. This overlap is particularly problematic during flu season, when cases of both flu and COVID-19 spike, increasing the chances of infection with one or even both viruses.
Both COVID-19 and the flu can begin with mild symptoms that may gradually or suddenly worsen. They share common symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue, making it easy to confuse the two.
Knowing the common differences between COVID-19 and the flu can help guide your decisions about treatment, isolation, and when to seek medical care. However, it’s important to remember testing is the most reliable way to confirm your diagnosis. Factors like vaccination status, virus variants, and overall health can also influence how you experience symptoms for both illnesses.
Oct 11, 2021 | 2:58 PM
5 Reasons Why You Should Still Use Telemedicine After COVID-19
With the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, telemedicine became a vital part of healthcare delivery. What was once viewed as a convenient alternative to traditional doctor visits has now evolved into a core component of modern healthcare.
While virtual visits don’t replace every in-person service—such as physical exams, imaging, or certain lab tests—today’s leading telehealth platforms bridge that gap. Services like CallOnDoc combine virtual care with access to lab testing, diagnostic imaging, and at-home test kits, offering patients more comprehensive coverage than ever before.
As the pandemic has eased, many expected telehealth use to decline. Instead, utilization has remained strong—and continues to grow. Patients have experienced firsthand how technology can improve access, speed, and affordability of care. Here are five reasons telemedicine remains a preferred option well beyond COVID-19.
Feb 15, 2022 | 5:58 PM
Feedback from our amazing patients!
"I can’t believe I did not know about this kind of service! This was absolutely perfect for my health concern and they were able to provide me with the necessary medication and with such cinch. Completely recommended this service. For minor health concerns, this can save you an unnecessary and costly trip to an urgent care center."
"Amazing!! Easy and fast! I didn’t have to take my 4 year old into an urgent care where only god knows what germs are there. The doctor sent the script right to my pharmacy within minutes!!!"
"I would give 10 stars if I could! CallonDoc is literally the reason I am recovering instead of suffering as I write this. I was skeptical at first, but I’m not kidding when I tell you I got prescribed my antibiotics and picked it up at the pharmacy within 2 hours. So instead of waiting & paying around 300$...I paid 40$!! I’m very pleased."
Be the first to know when we offer deals.
Want to learn about a specific topic or condition?