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Travel sickness

Who gets travel sickness?

Almost everyone is sick when sailing on rough seas. However, some people-especially children-suffer sickness from the effect of motion on a boat, in a car or plane. The larger the boat, plane or car, the less the likelihood of sickness; travel by train rarely causes sickness.

Nearly all children grow out of the tendency to have travel sickness, but many adults remain 'bad' sailors.

What are the symptoms?

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and lethargy are the main symptoms. Early signs are pallor and drowsiness, and sudden silence from an active, talkative child.

What causes it?

The problem arises in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. They are set deep in the thick skull bone and are the body's balance mechanism.

They are affected by the movement and vibration of travel. Some people have sensitive inner ear canals and are prone to sickness, especially on certain types of journeys (e.g. winding roads through hills) and in certain vehicles.

What is the treatment?

• Keep calm and relaxed before and during travel.
• With children, avoid excitement and apprehension about the travelling. Encourage activities such as looking at distant objects; discourage activities such as reading and games that require close visual concentration.
• Lie down, if possible, because this rests the inner ear canals and reduces the urge to vomit. If travelling by car, stop regularly for breaks. Passengers should use the front seat if possible.
• Do not have a large meal a few hours before the journey or during it; avoid milk and fried or greasy foods.
• Do not travel with an empty stomach: have a light, simple meal about an hour before and do not drink too much. Glucose drinks such as lemonade are suitable, as are glucose sweets and biscuits while travelling.

Medication

It is desirable to take medication for travel sickness 60 minutes before the trip. During a long trip this can be repeated 3 times a day to prevent the symptoms.

Some medicines such as antihistamines make you drowsy, so take care: this sedative effect may be good for children or for those travelling long distances by plane.

Copyright 1995: John Murtagh, Professor of General Practice
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

NEV Travel Sickness information
One of the most popular travel sickness medications for travellers is "Travcalm". This is a combination of an antihistamine and hyoscine. Other agents such as "Stemetil" and "Maxolon' are available on script from your doctor.
A Non medicinal approach that many find effective is the use of a cassette tape containing "A unique blend of music, specific frequencies and pulses."  www.travelwell.co.uk/travelwell.htm