Motion sickness is a common condition that occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals from your inner ear, eyes, and sensory receptors throughout your body. This sensory mismatch confuses your brain's ability to maintain proper balance and spatial orientation, leading to uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly impact your travel experience.
The most common symptoms of motion sickness include:
Motion sickness primarily occurs due to disruption in your inner ear's vestibular system, which is responsible for detecting movement and maintaining balance. When the motion your inner ear senses doesn't match what your eyes see or what your body feels, your brain interprets this as a potential threat, triggering the unpleasant symptoms.
Certain individuals are more susceptible to motion sickness, including children aged 2-12 years, pregnant women, people prone to migraines, and those with inner ear disorders. Women generally experience motion sickness more frequently than men. Additionally, anxiety about travel or previous negative experiences can increase your likelihood of developing symptoms during various types of movement and transportation.
Car sickness is one of the most prevalent forms of motion sickness, particularly affecting passengers rather than drivers. The constant acceleration, deceleration, and turning motions, combined with looking down at books or mobile devices, can trigger symptoms. Sitting in the back seat often worsens car sickness due to increased movement sensation.
Sea sickness occurs on boats and ships due to the rolling, pitching, and swaying motions of watercraft. The unpredictable movement patterns of vessels on water make this type particularly challenging, as your body cannot anticipate the next motion. Rough seas and smaller boats typically cause more severe symptoms.
Air sickness affects travellers during airplane flights, especially during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. The changes in altitude, air pressure, and aircraft movement can overwhelm your balance system. Sitting near the wings where movement is minimized can help reduce symptoms.
Train travel can cause motion sickness due to swaying and rocking motions, while amusement park rides create intense, rapid movements that frequently trigger symptoms. Modern concerns include virtual reality and simulator sickness, where visual motion without corresponding physical movement confuses your sensory systems, causing similar discomfort to traditional motion sickness.
Canadians have access to several effective over-the-counter medications to prevent and treat motion sickness. Understanding your options can help you choose the most suitable treatment for your travel needs.
Dimenhydrinate is the most widely used motion sickness medication in Canada, available under the brand name Gravol. This antihistamine works by blocking signals in the brain that trigger nausea and vomiting. It's available in multiple forms including regular tablets, chewable tablets, and liquid formulations. Adults typically take 50-100mg every 4-6 hours as needed, while children's dosing varies by age and weight. For best results, take dimenhydrinate 30-60 minutes before travel begins.
Meclizine, sold as Bonamine in Canada, is particularly effective for longer journeys such as cruises or extended car trips. This medication provides longer-lasting relief, typically requiring only one or two doses per day. Adults usually take 25-50mg once daily, and the effects can last up to 24 hours. Meclizine tends to cause less drowsiness compared to dimenhydrinate, making it suitable for travellers who need to remain alert.
Available by prescription in Canada, scopolamine patches offer convenient, continuous protection against motion sickness. Applied behind the ear, each patch provides up to 72 hours of relief. The patch should be applied at least 4 hours before travel for optimal effectiveness.
Many Canadians prefer natural options such as ginger supplements, which have shown clinical effectiveness for motion sickness. Homeopathic remedies like Cocculine are also available at Canadian pharmacies.
Selecting the appropriate motion sickness treatment requires consideration of several personal and situational factors to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
The duration of your trip significantly influences medication choice. Short trips may benefit from fast-acting options like dimenhydrinate, while longer journeys might require sustained-release formulations or patches. Your age, current medications, and health conditions also play crucial roles in determining the safest option.
Most motion sickness medications work best when taken before symptoms begin. Consider the following timing recommendations:
Be aware of common side effects including drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Children and elderly individuals may be more sensitive to these effects and may require adjusted dosing. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult healthcare providers before using motion sickness medications, though ginger is generally considered safe.
Always check for drug interactions, especially if you're taking sedatives, antidepressants, or other medications that affect the central nervous system. Individuals with glaucoma, enlarged prostate, or breathing problems should avoid certain antihistamine-based treatments.
Choosing the right seat can significantly reduce motion sickness symptoms. Opt for positions where motion is felt least intensely - the front seat of a car, seats over the wing on an aircraft, midship and lower deck areas on boats, or the centre of a train. Face forward whenever possible and keep your head as still as you can. If available, recline your seat slightly to help maintain a comfortable position throughout your journey.
What you eat before travelling can greatly impact your susceptibility to motion sickness. Consume a light, low-fat meal before departure and avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods that may worsen nausea. While you shouldn't travel on an empty stomach, avoid large meals immediately before leaving. Stay well-hydrated throughout your journey, but limit alcohol and caffeine intake as these can contribute to dehydration and worsen symptoms. Ginger, whether consumed as tea, candies, or supplements, may help reduce nausea for some individuals.
Visual focus plays a crucial role in preventing motion sickness. Fix your gaze on the horizon or a stable, distant object rather than reading books or looking at screens during travel. Practice slow, deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety-related worsening of symptoms. When possible, break long trips into manageable segments to give your body time to adjust.
Acupressure can provide natural relief for some people experiencing motion sickness. Apply gentle pressure to the P6 (Nei-Kuan) point located on the inner forearm, about three finger-widths below your wrist crease. Alternatively, over-the-counter acupressure wristbands designed for motion sickness can provide continuous pressure to this point and may help reduce nausea symptoms.
Creating a comfortable environment can help minimize motion sickness triggers. Key strategies include:
For individuals who frequently experience motion sickness, gradual exposure therapy may help build tolerance over time. This involves repeated exposure to the triggering motion in short, controlled sessions. Structured vestibular rehabilitation exercises, conducted under professional guidance, can also help train your balance system to better adapt to motion stimuli.
Seek medical advice promptly if your motion sickness symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening despite self-care measures. This is particularly important if you experience prolonged vomiting, signs of dehydration, fainting, intense headaches, or confusion. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if motion sickness is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, or weakness, or if you experience any cardiac symptoms.
It's important to see a clinician if you have underlying conditions that may worsen motion sickness or complicate treatment. These include vestibular disorders, migraines, uncontrolled diabetes, or significant anxiety disorders. If over-the-counter measures and non-medication strategies fail to provide adequate relief, or if motion sickness regularly interferes with your work, travel plans, or overall quality of life, professional evaluation is warranted.
A healthcare provider can review your current medications for potential interactions and recommend appropriate prescription options, such as transdermal scopolamine patches or prescription antihistamines. They may also refer you for specialized vestibular rehabilitation therapy if needed. Special consideration is important for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, young children, and elderly patients - always consult with a clinician before using prescription or combination treatments in these populations to ensure safety and appropriate dosing.
