Travel sickness can affect all of us but especially children.  As the better weather comes and you start planning days out, holidays or weekends away, travel sickness can be a concern.

What Causes Travel Sickness?

Travel sickness is caused by confusion in the brain when it receives mixed messages from your eyes and the balance mechanism in your inner ear.

Imagine you are on a boat.  Each time the boat tilts left, you tilt left, and each time the boat tilts right, you tilt right.   So your position in relation to the boat doesn't seem to be changing and your eyes send the message to your brain that you are standing still.

However, the delicate balance mechanism in your ear can detect that you are rocking side to side and it sends this message to your brain.

The contradictory signals can cause feelings of nausea, sweating and vomiting.

How Can it be Avoided?

The easiest way to avoid travel sickness is to ensure that your eyes and ears are sending the same messages to your brain.

Instead of focusing within the vehicle, look at something outside, in the distance, such as the horizon.  That way your eyes will be able to detect that you are moving and convey this message to your brain.

Some Practical Tips

On the road:

When travelling with children make sure they don't read or play games that encourage them to look downward, inside the confines of the car.  Instead, encourage them to play games that involve looking out of the window, preferably forwards.

At sea:

Try to get plenty of fresh air away from the smell of fumes or food.  Don't look at the waves as their movement will increase your nausea, instead look at the horizon in the distance.

If you are not able to get outside and must remain in the confines of the ship, try to get as near to the centre of the ship as possible, this is where movement is the least.

In the air:

Try to get a seat by the wing.  This is where the plane is most stable.  Because it may be more difficult to keep watching the horizon on a flight, close your eyes instead ... this is also an option when travelling by road and sea.  Lean back and try to relax, music may help take your mind off feeling unwell.  If you know you are going to be sick no matter what you do, try to sit near to the toilet.

Other Solutions

In addition to these solutions also:

• avoid heavy meals and alcohol before travelling
• try ginger or peppermint to ease feelings of nausea
• use acupressure, press a thumb or finger against the middle of your wrist, about three finger widths up from the crease between your wrist and your hand.