How to Prevent Car Sickness

Car sickness is one of the kinds of motion sickness that many people suffer from. It's one thing that can turn a ride in the car into a miserable experience. Anytime I know I am going to be riding in the car for an extended period of time, I dread it. Symptoms of car sickness include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headache, pale skin, sweaty appearance, loss of alertness and vomiting. Here are some ways to help prevent car sickness on your next trip.

If at all possible, be the driver instead of the passenger. When you're the driver, your mind is more focused on the road, instead of getting sick. If you aren't able to drive, then sit in the front seat. Passengers who ride in the front seat are less likely to get sick, because they can see the road in front of them, and their eye and body sensations are in sync with each other. Passengers in the back seat are more likely to get car sick, since they experience more of the bumps in the road and they can't see the road as well. Hopefully, you are riding with someone who is a good driver, since rough driving, frequent breaking and sharp turning are some other reasons people get car sick.

If you tend to get car sick, don't read or write in the car. This is one thing that makes people sick more than anything. I'm envious of people who don't get car sick, because I really would like to work on my laptop or read a magazine on long car trips. Anything that causes eye strain may case car sickness. Listen to music instead.

Before your trip, eat lightly. Snack on crackers or pretzels. Stay away from greasy foods. A heavy meal might be too much in your stomach, and it may cause you to get nauseous, and even vomit. Unfortunately, those of us who get car sick often have the terrible feeling of throwing up, with no relief. Even if vomiting does occur, it rarely ever makes the sick person feel better. If you do end up getting sick, take some ginger, which is available in a powder or a pill form at your local pharmacy. Ginger ale and mint are also good at curing upset stomachs.

If it's especially sunny out, wear sunglasses that will block your eyes from the bright, harmful rays of the sun. Those people who do get car sick usually start off with a headache, and the sun is one of the culprits of headaches in the car. If you don't have sunglasses, close your eyes and take a nap if possible. Obviously, you can't do this if you're driving.

One of the best ways to pass the time on a long car ride is to sleep. Bring a small travel pillow with you to use. When you're sleeping, you have no risk of getting car sick.

Remember to take breaks often if you're going on a long road trip. Stop and get some fresh air, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Water is best, and you should stay away from anything with a lot of caffeine or sugar in it, since these types of drinks can trigger a headache, thus causing car sickness. If you're riding with a smoker, make sure they smoke with the window down if they absolutely have to smoke.

Take motion sickness medicine, such as Dramamine (brand name for Dimenhydrinate), or use acupressure (anti nausea) bands on your wrist. Dramamine is an over-the-counter medicine, effective in preventing motion sickness and vomiting. However, it can cause fatigue in some people. Only use these types of medicine if you are not going to be driving. Take the medicine about 30 minutes before you leave, that way it has some time to work. Acupressure bands are a safe way to prevent nausea, and they can be used with motion sickness medicine if desired. Acupressure bands can be purchased for less than $10 at most pharmacies.

In conclusion, if you follow these tips, you should have a more enjoyable trip in the car next time you go for a ride. Car sickness doesn't have to ruin your trip.