Motion Sickness: Prevent Nausea in Car, Bus and Boat Travel

5 min read · Conditions · By the Asthra Health Care team

What motion sickness is

Motion sickness is the feeling of nausea, dizziness and discomfort that some people get while travelling by car, bus, boat, train or plane. It is especially common on winding ghat roads, long bus journeys and boat rides. Children between about two and twelve years, women, pregnant women and people who get migraines are more likely to be affected.

It is not a disease and does not cause lasting harm. Symptoms usually settle within minutes to hours after the journey ends, once the body is still again. However, they can make travel very unpleasant, spoil pilgrimages and holidays, and lead to dehydration if vomiting continues on a long trip, particularly in children and older adults.

Why it happens

Your brain knows you are moving through signals from the inner ear, eyes, and nerves in muscles and joints. When you sit in a moving bus reading a phone, your inner ear senses movement but your eyes see a still screen. The brain receives mixed messages, and this conflict triggers nausea and other symptoms.

Strong smells such as fuel, perfume or food, stuffy air in a closed vehicle, anxiety about getting sick, an empty or very full stomach, alcohol and lack of sleep all make it worse. Sitting facing backwards, or in the back seat where you cannot see the road ahead, also increases the mismatch and the chance of feeling sick.

Symptoms of motion sickness

Symptoms often start with a general uneasy feeling, yawning, and cold sweats, then progress to nausea and vomiting. People may also feel dizzy, pale, have a headache, produce more saliva and feel very tired. Some continue to feel unsteady for a few hours after getting off a boat.

Children may become quiet, pale, restless or irritable before they vomit, so watch for these early signs and stop for a break if you can. Babies and toddlers under two rarely get motion sickness, so vomiting in a very young child during travel should be checked for other causes such as infection.

Prevention tips

Simple steps prevent many episodes and are safe for everyone, including children, older adults and pregnant women. Try to plan ahead before long trips, especially on hilly ghat roads or boat rides. Choosing your seat carefully and keeping your eyes on the road ahead make the biggest difference.

• Sit where motion is felt least: front seat of a car, over the wings in a plane, middle of a boat
• Look at the horizon or a fixed point in the distance
• Avoid reading or using a phone while moving
• Open a window or use the air vent for fresh air
• Eat a light meal before travel; avoid oily, spicy food and alcohol
• Take breaks on long road journeys and sip water

Medicines that can help

Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate, promethazine, cinnarizine and meclizine are commonly used. They work best when taken before travel, following the label or your pharmacist's advice. Most cause drowsiness, so drivers must not use them before driving, and alcohol should be avoided. Some are not suitable for young children, the elderly or people with glaucoma or prostate problems.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should ask a doctor before using any motion sickness medicine, as only some are considered suitable. For children, always check with a doctor or pharmacist about suitable options and the right form, as many medicines are not recommended below certain ages and can cause unusual excitement in young children.

If you feel sick during travel

Stop the vehicle if possible and step outside for fresh air. Otherwise, close your eyes, lie back or keep your head still, and breathe slowly. Sip water in small amounts. After vomiting, rinse the mouth and continue small sips of water or oral rehydration solution. Some people find that dry snacks like crackers settle the stomach once vomiting stops.

When to see a doctor for motion sickness

See a doctor if nausea and dizziness continue long after travel ends, if you have vertigo, headache or hearing changes without travel, or if vomiting leads to dehydration. People with heart, kidney or liver disease and those taking other regular medicines should check for interactions before travel. A doctor or pharmacist can suggest a safe option for your age and health.

This article is general health information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or combine medicines on your own — always follow your doctor's prescription and ask your pharmacist if unsure.