injuries and poisoning
Motion Sickness
Prevention and Treatment of Motion Sickness
Nonmedication prevention and treatment measures Preventive medications (such asscopolamineand antihistamines) Antivomiting medications (such asondansetronorgranisetron) Measures to reduce the person's perception of motion include the following: Keeping the eyes fixed on a distant object (for example, watching the horizon while on a boat) Choosing a seat where motion is felt least (such as the front seat of a car, a seat over the wings in an airplane, or the forward/middle cabin or upper deck of a ship) Keeping the head and body as still as possible Sitting face forward and in a reclining position Not reading Sleeping Measures to reduce the person's susceptibility to motion sickness include the following: Getting fresh air by opening a window, opening an air vent, or going to a ship’s top deck Not drinking alcoholic beverages (because it can aggravate nausea) Eating small amounts of low-fat, bland, starchy foods instead of large meals, and not eating strong-smelling or strong-tasting foods Avoiding food and drink on short airplane trips, especially on small airplanes Possibly, not smoking Before traveling, people who are susceptible to motion sickness can ask their doctor to recommend an over-the-counter medication or prescribe a medication to help prevent the disorder. People should take these medications before motion sickness starts because they tend to be less effective after symptoms begin. These medications includescopolamine(as a patch or as tablets),cyclizine,dimenhydrinate,diphenhydramine,meclizine, andpromethazine(sometimes combined withcaffeine). All of these medications can cause drowsiness. Because they may cause agitation in infants and very young children, these medications should not be given to them except under a doctor’s supervision. People performing activities that require alertness or concentration (including driving) should not take these medications. These medications also should not be taken with alcohol, sleep aids, sedatives, or other drugs that also cause drowsiness and decrease alertness. If motion sickness develops, limiting food and drink to bland foods (such as soda crackers) and carbonated beverages (such asginger ale) may help keep symptoms from worsening. If vomiting develops, an antivomiting medication, such asondansetronorgranisetron, can be given, sometimes by injection or as a skin patch. Adaptation can be a particularly useful strategy for treating motion sickness. The more often a person is exposed to the stimulus that causes motion sickness, the less likely the stimulus is to cause a response. However, the reaction is specific to the stimulus, so a person who becomes accustomed to the motion of a large ship may still experience motion sickness in a small boat. Some people try alternative therapies, such as wearing wristbands that apply acupressure or electrical stimulation or taking Ginger (less than one gram), to prevent or treat motion sickness. Most of these therapies are unproven, but some people find them helpful. 