How Can I Ease Motion Sickness?
Take the quease factor out of your summertime adventures.
Otolaryngologist Says:
Motion sickness occurs when the vestibular nerve--which is related to the ear and recognizes where you are in relation to everything around you--senses movement even though the body is staying still. The brain gets confused by the differing input from the vestibular nerve, the eyes, and the rest of the body, resulting in the sensation of nausea. If you're on a boat, focusing on the horizon can help because the eyes are reassuring the brain, "Hey, I'm not really moving." Over-the-counter sedatives, such as Benadryl and Dramamine (scopolamine), can calm you if you get motion sickness. These treatments won't directly relieve nausea, but they will slow down the brain and keep it from sending the signals that trigger nausea. A scopolamine patch placed on the skin behind the ear can aid in preventing nausea. Some people also like to eat licorice root or peppermint to help settle their stomachs.
--Christina Marie McAlpin, M.D., otolaryngologist at California Medical Center in Los Angeles
Naturopath Says:
If you know you're prone to motion sickness, take ginger 10 to 20 minutes before your trip. It's really potent in capsule form, but you can also chew on a fresh piece. In one study, ginger was compared with Dramamine and worked just as well. But unlike Dramamine, it didn't cause minor side effects like dry mouth and blurred vision. There are two homeopathic remedies that can stop nausea associated with motion sickness: ipecacuanha and tabacum. The versions that are available in health-food stores don't offer the strongest dosage, so you might want to get these products from a homeopath or naturopath.
--Keith F. Zeitlin, N.D., Wallingford, Conn.-based naturopathic physician
Acupressurist
If you know you're going to be traveling on a windy road or choppy waters, there's an acupressure point you can press several times before and during your trip. To find it, draw a line from the middle of your palm down to the center of the inside of your arm; it's three of your own finger widths below the wrist crease. Place your thumb on the point and press gradually and firmly; maintain that pressure for two to three minutes while taking slow, deep breaths. This will start to calm you down and soothe your stomach. Repeat if you continue to feel dizzy.
--Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., founder of the Berkeley, Calif.-based Acupressure Institute
Read more Health articles.
Motion sickness occurs when the vestibular nerve--which is related to the ear and recognizes where you are in relation to everything around you--senses movement even though the body is staying still. The brain gets confused by the differing input from the vestibular nerve, the eyes, and the rest of the body, resulting in the sensation of nausea. If you're on a boat, focusing on the horizon can help because the eyes are reassuring the brain, "Hey, I'm not really moving." Over-the-counter sedatives, such as Benadryl and Dramamine (scopolamine), can calm you if you get motion sickness. These treatments won't directly relieve nausea, but they will slow down the brain and keep it from sending the signals that trigger nausea. A scopolamine patch placed on the skin behind the ear can aid in preventing nausea. Some people also like to eat licorice root or peppermint to help settle their stomachs.
--Christina Marie McAlpin, M.D., otolaryngologist at California Medical Center in Los Angeles
Naturopath Says:
If you know you're prone to motion sickness, take ginger 10 to 20 minutes before your trip. It's really potent in capsule form, but you can also chew on a fresh piece. In one study, ginger was compared with Dramamine and worked just as well. But unlike Dramamine, it didn't cause minor side effects like dry mouth and blurred vision. There are two homeopathic remedies that can stop nausea associated with motion sickness: ipecacuanha and tabacum. The versions that are available in health-food stores don't offer the strongest dosage, so you might want to get these products from a homeopath or naturopath.
--Keith F. Zeitlin, N.D., Wallingford, Conn.-based naturopathic physician
Acupressurist
If you know you're going to be traveling on a windy road or choppy waters, there's an acupressure point you can press several times before and during your trip. To find it, draw a line from the middle of your palm down to the center of the inside of your arm; it's three of your own finger widths below the wrist crease. Place your thumb on the point and press gradually and firmly; maintain that pressure for two to three minutes while taking slow, deep breaths. This will start to calm you down and soothe your stomach. Repeat if you continue to feel dizzy.
--Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., founder of the Berkeley, Calif.-based Acupressure Institute
Read more Health articles.
