How to Prevent Motion Sickness

If you want are looking for ways to prevent motion sickness then you are not alone. Our whole family suffers from motion sickness; although for me it only occurs when I'm a passenger. We live in Thailand and occasionally we need to take long journeys in order to visit my wife's family or just to get away for a bit of a break. These trips can sometimes become a bit of a trial as my wife and son fight with their different versions of hell in the shape of this sickness. Over the counter medication isn't really appropriate as my son is only a toddler and would not be safe to take this type of drug. My wife doesn't like to take travel sickness medication because it makes her too drowsy to look after my son. That is why we are always interested in any motion sickness remedies that can help us. Here are some of the things we have found to prevent motion sickness;

Ginger

Ginger has been used for years to prevent motion sickness, and it can work really well; some studies have shown that it can work as well as over the counter medications. The ginger root is supposed to be the best part of the plant to eat, and it is also meant to be good in capsule form. The only problem with ginger is that it can also cause your blood to thin so you should avoid this if you are already taking anti-coagulant medication or are due to have surgery.

Mint

Mint is another of the motion sickness remedies that people claim will reduce nausea. I have not yet tried this one myself, but some people claim it works quite well as a cure for car sickness. Apparently you just a couple of leaves and this will help.

Look at things that are stationary

The reason why it is believed that we get motion sickness is that our brain is confused by the outside movement and the fact that we are sitting still. Focusing on something that is not moving can really help alleviate the symptoms. I have noticed that when I get my son to look at things far away it reduces his feelings of nausea. Objects like clouds that are far away move less so are not so likely to make you feel sick.

Keep still

Moving around less will reduce the feelings of motion sickness and prevent them occurring in the first place.

Eat lemons

Even lemons can be a motion sickness remedy. It is believed that during the early stage of motion sickness development saliva enters the stomach and makes you feel nauseous. Eating lemons can reduce these secretions, and apparently so can olives. This is another of those motion sickness remedies that I haven't tried, but do intend to.

Open the car window

This is something that worked when I lived in Ireland, but in Thailand opening the window can cause the inside of the car to feel unbearably hot; even with the wind. This is why this is not usually a good way for me in regards to motion sickness prevention. It could work for you though.

Sit in the front and look straight ahead

This is why I don't get sick when driving because I'm looking straight ahead. If you want to prevent motion sickness you should follow the example of the driver.

Sources

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/95.cfm

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/motionsickness.htm