Travel sickness

Travel sickness occurs when the brain is sent mixed messages due to small, repetitive movements. The eye is telling the brain one thing about the position of the body; whilst the delicate inner ears balance mechanism is reporting something very different. The effects can cause nausea, clamminess and sometimes vomiting.

Anyone can suffer from motion sickness but it is more prominent in children as it is something that people tend to grow out of by learning to overcome the problem.

What makes it worse are things like strong smells, including food and petrol, the built up anxiety at the possibility of being unwell and trying to focus on a nearby object whilst moving, such as trying to read a book or a map. This can add to feelings of nausea.

Travel sickness preventions

On the road

Having a clear view of the road; so sit in the front of the car, or if travelling with young children, sit them in a car seat in the back where they can see the road clearly.
Try not to look down or focus on reading or computer games.
Ensure the car is well ventilated.
Try a distraction technique, with music and playing interactive games.
Ask the driver to take the bends gently.
Take regular rest stops through out the journey, one every hour is recommended.
Look forward as you there’s less sense of movement than looking out of the side windows.

At sea

As much fresh air as possible.
If the weather permits, stay out on deck and focus on the horizon not the waves.
If you can’t get outside then try to find a seat in the centre of the boat on a lower deck as this is where you’ll find the least movement.
Keep away from strong smells, such as fumes and those coming from the galley food.
If after all these precautions you still feel unwell then lie down and keep your eyes closed.

In the air

Try to get a seat over the wing as this is where the plane is most stable.
If space permits, recline your seat and rest your head on the rest and close your eyes.
Take your mind off feeling unwell and try to relax with the aid of music.
If you know no matter what you do you’re going to be ill, ask for a seat near the toilets for piece of mind.
Be disciplined with what you eat and drink; keep hydrated with plenty of water and eat healthy snacks like carrot sticks and nuts.

Other travel sickness preventions to try

Refrain from eating a big heavy meal, especially spicy and fatty foods, just before travelling.
Try not to drink alcohol before travelling.
Try to keep still and rest your eyes.
Try anti-sickness medicines from the pharmacist; be sure to check how long before travel they should be taken for their full effect.
Ginger or peppermint act as great travel sickness remedies. You can get ginger in the form of biscuits, tea or crystallised. You’ll find peppermint in sweets and tea.
Try acupressure; you can wear wristbands or press your finger against the middle of your inner wrist where you would usually take your pulse.
Try to avoid sitting against your direction of travel.
If you start to feel unwell, try to avoid sitting near other people suffering from travel sickness as this can sometimes make you feel even worse.
If after all these recommended precautions you still suffer badly from travel sickness, it could be worth seeing your doctor for a stronger prescription.

Foods to avoid before flying

1. Greasy fast food; The body struggles to digest foods full of sodium and saturated fats in the first place, so you can imagine this will be even harder if you’re travelling at 37,000ft. Along with adding to digestive problems, is the issue of your blood pressure whilst flying. You may have suffered from swollen feet from time to time whilst flying, this is due to a restricted blood flow whilst you’re sat immobile in a pressurized space, in severe cases this can lead to deep vein thrombosis, a formation of a blood clot in the legs. No direct link has been made to the consumption of foods high in saturated fat and this condition but many believe the combination is best avoided.

2. Gassy foods; A pressurized cabin causes bloating, so for obvious reasons, foods that promote intestinal expansion are best avoided. These include fried and saturated fatty foods; there are also some healthy foods to be avoided, including onions, cauliflower, cabbage and baked beans.

3. Alcohol; Although many people who have a fear of flying use alcohol as a distraction, doctors are recommending that you try your best to avoid this. Flying causes dehydration, along with alcohol, leading to a quicker intoxication, resulting in a hangover. So if an alcoholic beverage is a must for you be sure to drink plenty of water as well.

4. Fizzy drinks; Carbonated drinks are believed to cause bloating, cramping, wind and can have a diuretic effect, so these are best avoided to ensure you and your fellow passengers have a comfortable journey.

5. Avoid everything; Some believe consuming nothing but water when travelling will make for a more comfortable journey.
A study published by the journal of science in 2008 suggested fasting for 6 hours before a long flight will help your body adjust and help to prevent jet lag.