MOTION SICKNESS
IT'S ANOTHER GORGEOUS SUNDAY AFTERNOON - perfect for a long
drive in the country. Too bad you have to settle for a walk down the road.
Your feet seem to be the only mode of transport that doesn't make you feel
queasy.
If you experience motion sickness, it doesn't really matter what's providing
the motion. A car, bus, boat, airplane, carousel, even a swing can bring
on dizziness and nausea.
Motion sickness is the result of your eyes perceiving one type of movement
while your brain is processing another. The phenomenon can affect anyone,
even people who seldom experience it.
SAVVY TRAVELLING
In addition to herbal treatments, here are a few more things you can do to
minimise your chances of experiencing motion sickness.
* Avoid alcohol, both before and during a trip.
* If you are travelling by boat, stay in the middle of the boat and on the
upper deck, if there is one.
* If you're small in stature, sit on a cushion so you can see straight ahead
and focus on distant points.
* Don't sit in a seat that faces backwards.
* Wear headphones and listen to soothing music.
* Don't take nutritional supplements on an empty stomach; they can cause
nausea. Some prescription drugs also need to be taken with food; check the
label carefully.
* Avoid reading or other activities that cause you to put your head down.
Likewise, don't move your head round to converse.
* Try an acupressure wristband, available
in marine and travel shops. These devices use a trigger point in the wrist
to calm nausea.
* Avoid heavy meals with a high fat content, but don't travel on an empty
stomach either.
* When booking a flight, reserve the low-fat, vegetarian, low-sodium, kosher
or diabetic meal. Or skip the airline food and bring your own biscuits, melba
toast, crystallised ginger or bananas. The goal is to avoid stomach-upsetting
fats, but still have something to eat that's easy on the digestion.
* Keep your area well-ventilated; overly warm or stuffy conditions aggravate
nausea.
CALM MIND, CALM STOMACH
Because motion sickness ebbs and flows, it can play havoc with your nerves.
Alternately feeling relief as the nausea fades and anxiety as it returns
may be the worst part of motion sickness. Classic anti-anxiety herbs can
be helpful in such cases. Try passion flower, kava-kava or valerian if anxiety
plays a major role in your travel woes.
DRUG TREATMENT
Over-the-Counter Antihistamines
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Function: relieves motion sickness symptoms
by reducing input from the inner ear to the central nervous system. Side effects:
drowsiness and dry mouth.
Antihistamines
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Ucerax), meclozine (Sea-legs), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).
Function: reduce symptoms by minimising the body's antihistamine response.
Side effects: drowsiness, dry mouth.
Other Drugs
Promethazine (Phenergan). Function: alleviates motion sickness via its antihistamine,
sedative and antinausea actions. Side effects: blurred vision, drowsiness,
increased susceptibility to seizures, abnormal muscular contractions in the
face and neck.
Prochlorperazine (Stemetil). Function: reduces anxiety and nausea; sedates. Side effects: blurred vision, lowered blood pressure, drowsiness, increased susceptibility to seizures, abnormal muscular contractions in the face and neck.
Hyoscine (Kwells, Joy-rides). Function: acts on the central nervous system to reduce nausea. Side effects: drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, increased urinary symptoms in men with prostate enlargement, increased eye pressure in certain kinds of glaucoma.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
This root acts as a strong wind-expeller that also settles the stomach. No
car glove compartment or medicine cabinet should be without it. One study
found root ginger more effective than either Dramamine or a placebo (fake
pill) in fighting motion sickness. In another study ginger reduced nausea
and vomiting after major surgery. Be aware that ginger may be more effective
when taken at least four hours before your car or boat ride. Typical dosage:
up to eight 500- to 600-milligram capsules per day; or 10 to 20 drops of
tincture in water three times per day; or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the fresh
ground root per day. Crystallised ginger or candied chunks of the root
can also be eaten.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
One of the oldest and most-used remedies for any kind of stomach upset, peppermint
helps prevent vomiting and quiets stomach spasms. The tincture can be taken
along on trips and drunk in a little bit of water. Or simply try a strong
peppermint sweet. Typical dosage: 10 to 20 drops of tincture in water after
meals or before trips; or 1 cup of tea as needed (steep 2 to 4 teaspoons
of dried, cut and sifted leaf in 340 to 680 millilitres of hot water for
15 minutes). Caution: avoid undiluted peppermint essential oil; it can be
irritating. Use peppermint with caution if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare)
The seeds of this plant have been valued for hundreds of years as gentle
digestive aids and antispasmodics. They can be especially helpful if that
winding mountain road leads home from a favourite restaurant. Typical dosage:
up to 20 of the raw seeds chewed well, as needed; or up to three 400- to
500-milligram capsules per day; or 1 cup of tea per day (simmer 2 to 3 teaspoons
of crushed seed in 1/4 litre of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes); or 30 to
60 drops of tincture in water up to four times per day.
