Motion sickness – how to cope? Bez kategorii

Motion sickness – how to cope? Motion sickness is a condition that can occur in anyone who travels by different means of transport. Often referred to as “sea sickness” or “air sickness”, it is an imbalance that causes feelings of nausea, dizziness, vomiting and general malaise. While motion sickness is usually not a health hazard, it can negatively affect quality of life and limit our ability to travel. In this article, we will present the causes of motion sickness, its symptoms and effective ways to prevent and treat it.

How does our body behave when travelling by means of transport?

When traveling by means of transportation, such as plane, ship, car or bus, our body has to deal with movements and vibrations that affect our senses. Our balance system is particularly sensitive to changes in motion and vibration levels, and these changes can lead to motion sickness.

While driving, our eyes receive a static view, such as the interior of a car or train, while our ears, which are responsible for maintaining balance, register the movements and vibrations of the vehicle. Conflict between these signals can lead to confusion, which affects our well-being and can trigger symptoms of motion sickness.

In addition, changes in air pressure, eating and drinking while driving, as well as being unable to move freely, can also affect our body and contribute to the appearance of motion sickness symptoms.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is a condition that some people experience when travelling by means of transport, such as a car, bus, train, ship or plane. It is manifested by nausea, dizziness, excessive sweating, headache, weakness and vomiting.

Motion sickness is caused by sensory confusion when signals from the balance organ, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of the body, do not agree with the movement information received by the eyes. This often happens when moving on a rolling surface, cornering or when accelerating or braking.

Motion sickness can affect the quality of life and hinder daily functioning, especially if the journey is longer or frequent. However, there are ways to alleviate its symptoms, including the use of special preparations or methods to relieve stress and improve well-being while travelling.

What is the cause of motion sickness?

Motion sickness is caused by sensory confusion, which occurs when signals from the balance organ, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of the body, do not coincide with the movement information received by the eyes.

When traveling by means of transport, the movements of the vehicle, which are felt by the organ of balance, are not consistent with the movements that the eye sees. For example, while driving a car, the human body feels the vehicle accelerating and braking, and at the same time a static vision of the environment is seen, which can introduce confusion.

In addition, when travelling on water, such as on a ship or boat, there may be additional disorientation factors such as changes in the water level, swaying and rocking waves and the lack of a stable reference point.

Some people are more susceptible to motion sickness than others, including children, people suffering from migraines or balance disorders, pregnant women, and people who have gastrointestinal problems or heart disease.

Motion sickness – what are the characteristic symptoms?

The most common symptoms of motion sickness are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, pale skin, weakness, as well as feeling anxious or anxious. These symptoms may appear as early as a few minutes after the start of the journey, and their intensity may increase over time.

Motion sickness is characterised by a feeling of restlessness or anxiety, which results from a feeling of loss of control and from unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and dizziness. People affected by motion sickness often feel the need to stop the journey immediately and leave the vehicle or the place where they are.

In some cases, especially when motion sickness is severe, excessive saliva production, increased heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and problems with concentration and coordination may occur.

However, it should be borne in mind that the symptoms of motion sickness may vary depending on the person and type of transport, as well as the degree of its severity.

How to reduce the risk of motion sickness while travelling?

There are several ways you can help reduce your risk of getting motion sickness while traveling:

1. Choose the right seat – it is best to sit where vibration and movement are least, that is, in the middle of the vehicle or aircraft, close to the wings or wheel.
2. Avoid reading, writing or using electronic devices – while traveling, focusing on one point can introduce confusion, which increases the risk of motion sickness.
3. Avoid heavy meals before traveling – food can affect digestion and cause discomfort.
4. Avoid alcohol and smoking – alcohol and tobacco can increase your risk of motion sickness.
5. Take pharmacological help – in case of strong symptoms of motion sickness, the doctor may prescribe anti-emetic drugs or sedatives.
6. Choose a shorter route – if possible, choose a shorter route or more frequent breaks to minimize time spent on the move.
7. Use natural methods such as acupuncture, aromatherapy or massage to help you relax and reduce muscle tension.

Remember that every organism is different, so some ways may work better on some and worse on others. It is important to choose those methods that give you the greatest relief and comfort during your trip.

What to eat and what to avoid before traveling? What should the diet look like when we travel often?

Before you travel, eat light, low-fat, low-fiber meals that are easy to digest. Difficult meals, which may cause indigestion, should be avoided. Before traveling, it is good to refrain from eating spicy, fatty foods and alcohol, which can lead to dehydration of the body.

In a traveler’s diet, it is worth paying attention to the amount of water consumed during the day, as dehydration of the body can lead to an increased risk of motion sickness. It is worth remembering that coffee and tea have a diuretic effect, therefore they do not replace water. The diet should include products rich in magnesium, which helps to relax muscles and increases tolerance to stress.

For frequent travellers, it is important to stay hydrated and eat light meals that are low in fat and fiber. It is also worth paying attention to eating regularly and avoiding long breaks between meals, which can lead to an increased risk of motion sickness.

Dietary recommendations for dietary disease

People suffering from motion sickness should pay special attention to their diet to reduce the risk of unpleasant symptoms. Here are some dietary recommendations to follow:

1. Avoid heavy and fatty meals before you travel, as they can cause stomach problems and aggravate the symptoms of motion sickness.
2. Eat a light meal before traveling that will be easily absorbed, contain complex carbohydrates, proteins and small amounts of fat. These can be, for example, wholemeal bread with soft egg, chicken salad, roasted fish with porridge.
3. Reduce your consumption of coffee, tea and carbonated drinks as they contain caffeine and may exacerbate the symptoms of motion sickness.
4. Drink small amounts of water throughout the trip to maintain adequate hydration.
5. If you take any supplements on a daily basis, consult your doctor or dietitian to see if they can be taken while travelling.
6. For longer journeys, take healthy snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, fruits, vegetables with you to avoid eating unhealthy snacks at gas stations or while traveling.

Adhering to these dietary recommendations can help reduce the risk of motion sickness and ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey.