Motion Sickness Remedies - the Natural Choice

Even though it is said that if you do not travel well with one method of transport then that is usually the case for other methods, it only bothers Harry in the car. Harry is not a good traveller in the car, but when we get on the 24 hour plane journey to see our family on the other side of the world this goes without a problem !

It is only a problem in cars. We live about an hour away from Brisbane and even this is long enough to cause him to throw up in the carpark when we get there - at least it wasn't in the car. I have just purchased him some of the Motion Sickness bands to try - I will let you know how we get on with them. I don't think I would even try to get on a boat with Harry (apart from the Ferry across Noosa or Brisbane river - only 15 minutes) as I am sure that this would be a problem . I myself do not travel well on boats - sea sickness is awful - you can't get off in the middle of the ocean!

If you are one of the many motion sickness sufferers out there you will be aware that if you are in the middle of a nausea spell, even the vomiting does not offer relief. This is unusual, as with many other sickness related ailments out there, at least when you throw up, you seem to get some relief. Did you know that up to 30% of people suffer with motion sickness?

Even astraunauts suffer in their space shuttle. A massive 50% of astraunauts suffer! However, on the other hand a simple ride in a fairground can trigger the nausea.

A guy called Mark Soberman who was a motion sickness sufferer and got to such a point that he no longer wanted to visit his doctors to be prodded and poked (his words), researched into the condition. It took him a full 2 years, but he put together a program to cure motion sickness. He actually offers a full money back guarantee if the program does not work for you. So, to see some reviews on the program or to also learn more visit: Motion Sickness Info

There is a lot to choose from when searching for your Motion Sickness Medication:

MECLIZINE
This contains antihistamine and can cause drowsiness. Meclizine would need to be taken prior to travel..

DIMENHYDRINATE
The same as Meclizine. There is a liquid form available for children aged 2 and over.

CYCLIZINE
Again this is similar to the Meclizine and Dimenhydrinate. It is only suitable for age 6 upwards.

HALDOL, THORAZINE
These are anti-psychotic drugs, they have a dopamine blocking activity which blocks the nausea. They also stimulate stomach motion - this can help to clear any food from the digestive tract.

PROMETHAZINE
One dose of this can last up to 8 hours. It can cause drowsiness like the others.

DIAZEPAM (other wise known as valium), LORAZEPAM and KLONAZEPAM
These drugs are not normally used to aid motion sickness but some sufferers find them helpful in small amounts.

SCOPOLAMINE PATCHES
These patches release Scopolamine in small amounts throughout a time period. It is also available in pills.

The major drawbacks with some of the above Motion Sickness Medication are that they can cause drowsiness and the fact that they have to be taken 30 minutes prior to travel. Trial and error - what suits one Motion Sickness sufferer may not suit another.

In the car - drive or sit in the front, have the windows slightly open. Stop to 'stretch your legs' every now and again.

Aboard a ship - focus on the horizon, stay towards the middle of the ship. (Due to the length of travel if you can't find a motion sickness cure that suits you prior to travelling this method of transport may be best avoided).

On an airplane - ask to be seated by the window - explain your situation. Sit in the front as there is less noise there.

Keep off roller coasters, waltzers, simulation or other fairground rides.

For all transport methods - avoid alcohol, greasy or spicy food the night before and on the day. Try to be well rested prior to travelling.

Photo Courtesy of tomeppy's photostream

How Do Motion Sickness Bands Work?

Motion sickness bands apply gentle stimulation to acupressure points located on the inside of each wrist. It is nerve signals that can cause the nausea feeling and the stimulation interupts them.

Are Motion Sickness Bands Effective?

They do work for a large number of people. Each case is different but they can prove very effective. They not only work for Motion Sickness but also other nausea such as Morning Sickness.

Photo Courtesy of Marco Bellucci's photostream

People aged over 40 are more likely to experience motion sickness whereby children under 2 years of age are likely to escape the dreaded motion sickness.

The reason that under 2's do not have to suffer is because they have not yet connected the senses. They are not able to realise that they are moving whilst actually physically staying still themselves. For example, whilst we travel in a car, we ourselves are actually still.

Don't laugh I know it sounds crazy, but this was not a normal swing. (The one in the picture looks bigger than what we went on but at least it gives you an idea - I didn't have my camera on me that day).

A few days ago we went to Aussie World and until now the boys have steered clear of a few of the rides because they were a bit fearful of going on them. One of them was a big merry-go-round of lots of swings that went around and you sat on the swing and was swung around quite quickly. My Mom and Dad were staying with us at the time and at first they went on with Sam because the eldest Harry did not want to go on. But, then at the end of the day Harry said - I wlll go on if you go on Mom - no pressure, hey? This left me with no choice but to go on as Harry usually stands back from these sort of rides, sometimes from even the smallest rides.

Now here's the weird thing, it's normally Harry who gets motion sickness (well in the car anyway) but I felt so sick after that ride and the awful thing was that they made me go on it twice. I felt sick for 3 hours or more. My stomach was in knots! Harry loved it and did not feel sick at all. Of course I hid from him that it had made me feel ill, but a couple of people including the lady who operated the ride informed me that I had turned green when I came off!