Motion Sickness: Home Remedies in Your Medicine Cabinet

Motion sickness can turn what should be a fun and exciting adventure into a miserable experience. The nausea and vomiting are bad enough. But motion sickness can come with other symptoms, like dizziness, fatigue, and cold sweats. Some people suffering from motion sickness might even faint, have blackouts, or have trouble breathing.

What causes motion sickness? Well, it usually happens because your brain is confused. If you're in a car, sitting still and looking at things that seem "stationary" (like the seats and other passengers) your eyes will be telling your brain you aren't moving. But your inner ear will feel the movement of the car, and will be telling your brain you're in motion. These mixed signals can confuse your brain, which can lead to motion sickness.

Fortunately, there are products you can buy over-the-counter that can help prevent or alleviate this stomach-churning condition.

Try a Dramamine.

Taking an over-the-counter medication, like Dramamine or Bonine, about one hour before you travel can help prevent motion sickness. And one or two tablets can last for up to twenty four hours.

However, these medications can have side effects, like drowsiness. And many think taking such medications for motion sickness should be a last resort, and used only after every other remedy you've tried for motion sickness hasn't worked.

Before taking one of these antinausea medications, it's not a bad idea to consult your doctor, especially if you're already taking prescription medications. And never give a child antinausea medication before talking to their doctor first.

Ginger is an effective motion sickness remedy.

Some have found that ginger is actually better at preventing motion sickness than drugs like Dramamine are. Better yet, ginger doesn't have the same side effects.

You can buy powdered ginger capsules at a health food store. Take two 900-milligram capsules of powdered ginger about 15 minutes before you start your trip. Then, take two of these capsules three times a day while traveling to help ward off, or lessen, motion sickness.

Emetrol also helps with motion sickness.

Emetrol is another over-the-counter remedy for motion sickness. It contains the essence of coke syrup, which has long been used to ease nausea. And it won't make you drowsy like Dramamine or Bonine will. This is a good remedy to try if your child suffers from motion sickness.

Whether you're going on a dream vacation, or on a three hour drive to visit family, these over-the-counter remedies can help keep motion sickness from ruining your trip.