When it comes to preventing or stopping motion sickness, options include home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and motion sickness patches and wristbands.
1. Look Toward the Horizon
“If you’re down below deck on a boat, get up so you can see the horizon,” he advises. “If you’re reading in a car, sit up and look out the windows so you can see the motion of the car. Then what you see and what your inner ear motion sensor tells you will be in agreement.”
One of the main factors that contributed to car sickness was a visual activity like reading, writing, using a device, or watching a video, while riding in a car.
2. Cool Down
Hot, stagnant air can aggravate motion sickness, so a cool breeze can be helpful for preventing and easing it, Dr. Viirre says. You can also place a cool cloth on the back of your neck or on your forehead.
“I use that in my clinic all the time,” says Viirre, who notes that this directly affects the vagus nerve.
3. Avoid Unpleasant Smells
“The smell of gasoline will set people’s motion sickness off, as will the smell of vomit,” Viirre says. This is another way a cool breeze can minimize motion sickness, Virre adds — by keeping smells away.
4. Eat Some Ginger
“Ginger is a popular natural remedy for nausea, and some people find that ginger tea, chews, or supplements help with motion sickness,” says Michael Genovese, MD, a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the chief medical adviser of Ascendant, a drug and alcohol treatment center in New York City. Dr. Genovese helps patients manage neurological and physiological symptoms, particularly those involving the brain’s response to external stimuli, including stress, sensory input, and balance.
But if you want to try ginger for motion sickness and opt for ginger ale, don’t drink it too quickly. “A lot of cold liquid in your belly is another aggravator of motion sickness, so you want to just have gentle sips,” Viirre says.
5. Try Over-the-Counter Motion Sickness Remedies
Over-the-counter scopolamine patches, which are placed behind your ear, are commonly used for long trips and can stop nausea before it even starts, Genovese says.
“Over-the-counter medications like meclizine (Bonine) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) are also effective for prevention, though they can cause drowsiness,” Genovese adds.
“Some people swear by them, but the scientific evidence on their effectiveness is mixed,” Genovese says.
6. Talk to Your Doctor About Prescription Medications
“Some people do well with simple remedies, while others need more potent medications to prevent symptoms from interfering with travel or daily life,” Genovese says. “Talking to a doctor about the best approach is always a good idea, especially if motion sickness is a recurring issue.”
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