If you are seasick in a car, then you are surely awaiting every long trip with horror. This situation can negatively affect your transportation plans or fun with friends. Car sickness is one of the types of motion sickness (kinetosis) that is experienced while driving. Common symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, cold sweats, and nausea. Do you want to know how to deal with motion sickness in a car? Our simple tips will help you with this.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change the way you travel
Step 1. Sit in the front seat
Doctors believe motion sickness is caused by a conflict between what our eyes see and how our bodies interpret the movement of a car in response to signals that are generated in the inner ear to control balance. For example, if the eyes see a car seat in front of them, but the body senses turns on the road or the speed of movement, then the inner ear may malfunction. This leads to the dizziness and nausea that are so common with car sickness. To avoid this situation, try to focus on the road so that your eyes and body can interpret the same information. Sit in the front seat to reduce the chance of confusion between visual and sensory information.
While driving, we get the added benefit of being able to focus on traffic and distract ourselves
Step 2. Focus on the horizon line
A fixed visual reference in front will help you control your vision, inner ear, and nervous system. Look through the windshield and find a fixed point on the horizon. It can be a mountain, a tree, or just a point in space. Concentrate all your visual attention on this point. It is important not to look away, even on bumps, turns or changes in height. Try not to look out the side window, just in front of you.
The driver also needs to keep an eye on the road and other vehicles, not just a fixed point on the horizon
Step 3. Do not overheat
Cool temperatures and a constant supply of fresh air will help you relax and ease the symptoms of car sickness such as nausea and sweating. It doesn't hurt to open a window and let in fresh air or turn on the air conditioner. Direct the ventilation holes towards your face.
Ventilation will also help reduce food odors in the cabin. Harsh food smells can only worsen car sickness
Step 4. Fix the head
Sometimes it is not easy to focus on one point with constant shaking in the cabin. For stability of the gaze, it is necessary to fix the head. Lean against the headrest on the seat. A neck pillow will also help lock your head and gaze.
Step 5. Take frequent breaks
Get out of the car to warm up. Sit on a bench or under a tree and take deep, relaxing breaths through your mouth. This is especially important on long, winding road trips. Frequent stops are beneficial not only for the person with motion sickness, but also for the driver. Continue driving when the dizziness and nausea have subsided and you feel better.
Step 6. Take a nap
Sleep during the trip is an excellent way out for a passenger with a car sickness. If you close your eyes, you will no longer feel the difference between visual information and body signals. For many people with this problem, sleep becomes the best solution during long trips.
If you find it difficult to sleep in your car, try sleeping pills. In this case, you need to understand that today you will no longer be able to drive
Step 7. Focus on something else
Distractions are a good way to ease motion sickness, especially for children and backseat passengers. Listen to music, sing or play games with other passengers to distract from dizziness and nausea.
Step 8. Don't use books, phones or other gadgets
Car sickness will only get worse by focusing on a visual object inside the car rather than outside. A closer look at a book, phone screen, tablet, or reading device can exacerbate the discrepancy between the perception of the eyes and the rest of the body. You only need to look at objects outside the car on the horizon.
- Many people get seasick in the car just while reading. Avoid these situations!
- Audiobooks, car radio and radio tape recorder will help you to have fun without motion sickness.
Step 9. Breathe deeply
Anxiety and nervousness often exacerbate car sickness. Relaxation techniques such as slow, measured breathing exercises can help slow your heart rate and relax your body. This will help ease the symptoms of motion sickness.
Step 10. Avoid bumpy roads
The smoother the road, the lower the likelihood of becoming a victim of a car sickness. Try to drive on highways instead of busy city streets and watch the condition of the shock absorbers. Alternatively, you can plan your route in advance to avoid hilly and mountainous areas. Try to choose as smooth roads as possible.
Also, do not leave during rush hour so as not to get stuck in traffic jams
Step 11. Buy a motion sickness bracelet
Such a bracelet exerts constant slight pressure on the forearm at a distance of a couple of centimeters from the wrist. The pressure is thought to help ease the nausea associated with car sickness. Bracelets are not scientifically proven to work, but they are inexpensive and have no negative side effects, so you risk nothing.
If you do not have a motion sickness bracelet, then you can gently squeeze your forearm (between the two tendons) at a distance of three centimeters from the wrist
Step 12. Use other means of transport
Some people with car sickness also experience motion sickness in other modes of transport, such as trains, buses, and airplanes, although it may be that your problem is limited to traveling by car. If so, a bus, train, or plane may be a good travel option because it provides a smoother ride, is less confusing to your vision, and allows you to sit higher in the seat than in a car.
- Find the most stable and stationary seat in your vehicle. Always sit in the direction of travel (not your back). Sit in the direction of the head of the train and the cab of the bus. On airplanes, it is best to choose a seat near the wing. In these places, you will be less shaking while driving.
- Short distances are best covered on foot or by bike.
Method 2 of 3: Change Your Diet
Step 1. Avoid fatty foods and alcohol before travel
Fatty foods can make nausea worse. Alcohol can cause hangover symptoms that worsen car sickness (headaches, dizziness, nausea, and sweating). If you have to travel in a car, it is better to give up fatty foods and alcoholic beverages.
Step 2. Eat more often and do not overeat
Heavy meals can increase the feeling of nausea. Before a trip (especially a long one) by car, it is better to choose light, healthy, low-fat meals in small portions that you can eat more often. Low-fat but high-protein meals are ideal to keep you from getting seasick.
For example, you don't have to eat burgers on the way. Better to buy a salad with fried chicken. You should also avoid drinking a milkshake. Choose a shake based on low-fat yogurt with dry protein
Step 3. Choose unleavened flour snacks
Simple, bland snacks that are free of off-flavors are the best options for calming your stomach. Croutons, salty crackers, and pretzels absorb stomach acids and soothe the stomach. They can also help you freeze the worm and prevent indigestion.
These snacks are virtually odorless, while the pungent smell and taste of the food only exacerbates the problem
Step 4. Quench your thirst
Dehydration can aggravate the symptoms of car illness. Always drink water before and during your trip to avoid motion sickness. Water is the best option to stay hydrated, although flavored drinks can help distract you from dizziness or nausea by treating yourself to a decaffeinated soda.
Protein drinks can also ease nausea
Step 5. Eat ginger
Ginger is known to reduce car sickness and other forms of motion sickness. Ginger can be eaten (or drunk) in a variety of ways. There are gingerbreads, lozenges, tea, soda, pills, candied fruits and cookies. Foods like these can help calm the stomach. The main thing is to make sure that the product is made from real ginger, and does not contain an artificial additive.
Ask your doctor if you can eat ginger. Sometimes ginger can interfere with the action of certain medications
Step 6. Always carry mints and chewing gum with you
Like ginger, peppermint is a natural remedy for nausea. Gummies and sweets promote saliva production, which neutralizes stomach acids. Plus, the pleasant scent helps you distract yourself and think less about your symptoms. Use peppermint or chewing gum to calm your stomach and think about something else.
Method 3 of 3: Take Medication
Step 1. Discuss the problem with your doctor
Most of the time, motion sickness problems can be cured with lifestyle changes and home remedies. However, sometimes car sickness interferes with work and daily life. In this case, you need to talk to your doctor about a possible medical solution, such as over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
- Also talk to your doctor if you (or your child) experience symptoms as soon as you get out of the car, experience severe headaches, impaired hearing or vision, or difficulty walking. These symptoms can indicate more serious problems.
- Susceptibility to car sickness can be influenced by age, race, gender, hormonal factors, sensory disorders, and migraines. Ask your doctor if you have an increased risk of motion sickness.
Step 2. Take antihistamines 30-60 minutes before travel
There are over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can help you cope with car sickness. Almost all of them contain dimensionhydrinate or meclosine. Among the common options are "Dramina" and "Kokkulin". Some products come in the form of a patch. They are especially useful for their ability to release the required drug over a long period of time. Antihistamines help prevent motion sickness nausea by muffling the corresponding points on the inner ear. For the best effect, the drug should be taken 30-60 minutes before the trip.
Investigate side effects before taking medication (especially if you are driving) and seek the advice of your doctor. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and interfere with your ability to operate machinery
Step 3. Ask your doctor to prescribe scopolamine for you
Scopolamine is only safe for adults, not children. It is available only by prescription and is glued to the patch behind the ear. The patch should be applied four hours before the start of the trip. Despite the potential for severe side effects such as blurry vision and dry mouth, the drug is effective in treating motion sickness nausea. Talk to your doctor about the remedy.
Advice
- Help children avoid car sickness by placing them in high seats to make it easier for them to look out the window, and play games that motivate them to look out the window. Children should not be allowed to watch movies during the trip, otherwise they may be sick.
- Most often, car sickness occurs in people who suffer from migraines, pregnant women, and children aged 2–12 years. In most cases, traffic sickness is a temporary problem that gradually goes away.
- Prepare more distractions that don't require you to look at a screen or read. Choose from fun music, audiobooks, or safe games to play with your friends in the car.
- Monitor ventilation and keep the cabin temperature moderate.
- Watch the condition of the shock absorbers and tires: the car should move as smoothly as possible.
- Stop and get out of the car for a couple of minutes. Car sickness can be less severe when you are on a hard surface.
- If you often get seasick in the car, keep a supply of sanitary bags on hand in case you feel nauseous and unable to get out of the car quickly.
- Use chewing gum. Take a new gum when the previous one becomes tasteless (tasteless gum can make the nausea worse).
- Look far in front of you to avoid nausea.
- Driving can often help you distract yourself and forget about the problem. If you are unable to drive or do not have a driver's license, look out the window to improve eye-vestibular coordination. It also doesn't hurt to have a few paper or plastic bags on hand in your car in case you get seasick.
- Try not to read, look at screens or down. Look out the window into the distance in front of you or at the horizon. Keep your car ventilated and don't dress too warmly, as the heat increases car sickness.
Warnings
- Previously, doctors believed that driving on an empty stomach could alleviate car sickness. Today it is known that this is not so: you can eat, but it is better not to overeat or choose fatty foods. A light snack or a small serving of a regular meal is best.
- Please consult your doctor before using any medicinal or herbal medicine. Antihistamines, ginger and peppermint are not always safe: doctor's advice is never superfluous.