Leave Motion Sickness at Home

If you're putting off planning the annual summer vacation due to the kids' motion sickness, start packing. There are ways to deal with this perennial problem that can strike young or old during driving travel, as well as during sailing or carnival rides. A headache, queasy stomach, dizziness, pale color, vomiting, and fatigue are some of the common symptoms travelers complain of with this problem. They can occur within minutes of a passenger's shifting into movement.

Hilly landscapes or sharp curves can make some travelers more prone to motion sickness. Toddlers often struggle most obviously with the side effects of short or long car rides, but even teens and adults can complain of feeling ill. While the condition is unpredictable, you may want to prepare ahead of time just in case it happens to a family member or fellow traveler.

1. Break up long drives that occur on curving roads or graded hills. Stop and let everyone open the car windows for fresh air or get out and move around. Changing position and perspective can help circulation and increased oxygen to relieve the common annoying symptoms.

2. During the drive, tell victims to look at the horizon instead of nearby views. Distance vistas help to stabilize the passengers' vision and balance centers in the brain that can block queasiness and vertigo.

3. Pack fun activities that will occupy the kids' attention. Bored passengers seem to be more susceptible to experiencing motion sickness. Check with the American Automobile Association (AAA) for travel games and vehicular activities. Encourage the children to bring along a CD player for music or books on tape to listen to. (Reading may not be a good idea, however.)

4. You can purchase prescription or over-the-counter medications to control the symptoms of motion sickness. Some of these works well as skin patches, while others come in the form of pills or liquid. With your doctor's permission, give your child the right dose for her age and size before leaving, and continue to give the prescribed dose as needed while traveling.

5. Remember to bring along a disposable bag or plastic bowl with a fitted lid in case anyone should feel sick. A cool cloth chilled with an icepack in the cooler will feel good on a forehead or back of the neck to relieve symptoms. Before leaving on your road trip, do an Internet search for medical providers on your route just in case your precautionary methods don't work as planned.

6. Offer the kids chewing gum, Popsicles, and other snacks. Chewing uses muscles that keep pressure from building in the ears, which has been linked to travel sickness.

And parents, don't worry. While it is true that a sizable percentage of kids experience motion sickness at some point during their childhood, most cases clear up easily and promptly, usually when the vehicle gets off the road for the night. Many travelers outgrow motion sickness. With thoughtful preparations and take-along supplies, everyone should be able to have a symptom-free trip and enjoyable vacation.