How to beat motion sickness

It surfaces on boats, cars, planes and trains - but don't let it put you off when next you are travelling. It is possible to beat it. There are a few tips that can help, but first/

Whats the cause?

It’s down to a disjoint between what your eyes see and what your inner ears – the part that help with balance – sense.

We have a network of nerves, channels and fluids in our inner ears called the vestibular system that contribute to a sense of motion and balance.

If your brain gets messages that you’re moving but your body (and ears) doesn’t, or vice versa, things get confused.

Similarly, if your body experiences motion that doesn’t tally with what your eyes are seeing, the mixed signals result is feeling pretty poorly.

That’s why motion sickness can strike on fair ground rides, watching car chase sequences or playing a computer games.

It’s most common in children under the age of 12 but some people can be lifelong sufferers.

BEATING IT

Be still.

Your position can help alleviate the worst of symptoms. Remain still and either close your eyes or keep them trained on the horizon to minimise conflicting brain signals. Looking down at maps, phones or books makes motion sickness unbearable.

Where possible, drive the car or sit near the airplane wing (by the window where you can look out) or on deck in the middle of a boat, to keep movement to a minimum.

Use a headrest to keep your head and neck as still as possible and don’t face backwards.

Get Ginger

Ginger has been found to aid digestion, prevent nausea and improve joint pain associated with arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Dr Andrew Weil, a best-selling author on holistic health, recommends mixing half a teaspoon of ginger powder in a glass of water and drinking it 20 minutes before travel, or taking two capsules of powdered ginger.

But you can also try drinking fresh ginger tea, ginger ale or taking supplements. Ginger can interact with blood thinning medication such as aspirin so consult your doctor before taking, if you’re at all concerned.

You Need Fresh Air

Travel sickness is made infinitely worse by strong smells. Avoid perfume, petrol fumes or smelly food when in the back of a car or moving vehicle.

Your mother was right: open the window, breathe deeply and get a breath of fresh air to ease the sickness.

ACUPRESSURE

Acupressure wristbands work by putting pressure on points on that control nausea and a study in 1995 found them to reduce feelings of sickness.

They’re a new version of an ancient Chinese fisherman’s remedy.

Wear them before you travel or slip one on when the sickness starts.

Acupressure puts pressure on points on that control nausea and a studies show wristbands reduce sickness

MEDICATION

Hyoscine tablets can be bought without a prescription at the pharmacists and are a powerful anti-travel sickness medication.

They work by blocking the confusing nerve messages going to your brain. You should take them between 30 and 60 minutes before travelling and the effects last for up to 72 hours.

Or, try patches, which need to be applied five or six hours before travelling and release hyoscine through your skin and into the blood stream.

Side affects include a dry mouth, drowsiness and blurred vision and it should be used with caution in children, elderly people and those with a history of heart, kidney or liver problems.

Antihistamines are also used to control nausea or vomiting and may have less side affects.

Consult your pharmacist for advice on which to take.

Motion sickness improves as your body adapts to new conditions so many just need to wait to feel better

Get Over It

Generally, motion sickness improves as your body adapts to its new conditions. In nine out of ten cases the best advice is to employ a stiff upper lip and wait for things to get better of their own accord.