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What is it?

Travel sickness (also known as motion sickness), a sudden feeling of being ill, usually includes nausea, dizziness, looking pale and sweating.1-4 It usually causes vomiting.2,3,5 Once a certain level of nausea is attained, vomiting is almost inevitable, even if the person is removed from the motion environment.3

Other common symptoms may include:

  • Generally feeling uncomfortable and tired2,5 
  • Being less alert2,3
  • Struggling to concentrate2,5
  • Producing more saliva than usual (hypersalivation)1-3
  • Rapid breathing or gulping for air3,4
  • Feeling disorientated2
  • Headaches2,3,5
  • Increased sensitivity to unpleasant odours2
Sick lady

Travel sickness can occur at any time while travelling in cars, on buses, trains, boats and any other mode of transport.3,6 Many people who suffer from travel sickness feel worse when sitting at the back of a car, and will dread this.2,5,7 Some people may also experience the symptoms of travel sickness when watching a movie or virtual reality simulation.1,3,5,6

In situations where it isn’t possible to get away from the triggering factor (such as during a long-haul flight or a long-distance journey), some of the most common complications can include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, reduced muscular coordination, impaired judgement and anxiety.2,7

What causes it?

Travel sickness occurs when you receive conflicting information from your eyes, inner ear and the nerves in your muscles and joints.4,8

For example, if you’re a passenger in a car or bus working on a laptop, looking at your phone or reading a book, your eyes and body send messages to your brain that you are sitting still, but your inner ear and vestibular system sense that you are moving.4 The vestibular system is a sensory system that helps us maintain normal movement and balance. It provides the brain with information about motion, head position and where you are in a space in relation to the environment around you.9

These contradictory signals confuse the brain which then cannot tell if you’re moving or staying still.4,8 Common reactions to this confusion are nausea, dizziness and vomiting.2,8

Travel sickness is not only triggered by actual physical motion but can also occur when motion is experienced only visually, as in the case of virtual-reality games, computer animations or big-screen movies and television.1,3,5,6 This condition has been termed ‘cybersickness’.3,6

How bad the symptoms are and how long they last will depend on how much of a difference there is between the messages your brain is receiving and your ability to adapt to, or change, the environment causing the triggering factors.2,5

Road

Who is likely to experience it?

It is estimated that 1 in 3 people experience travel sickness at some point in their lives.4

Factors that may increase your risk of experiencing travel sickness:

Gender

Gender

Women are more likely to experience travel sickness than men are.2,5

Genetics

Genetics

Studies show that travel sickness can be inherited from your parents.2,5

Dizzy

Other Illnesses

Travel sickness tends to be more common in people who suffer from migraines, vertigo (the sensation that you are or your environment is spinning10) or Ménière’s disease (a rare inner-ear disorder11).2,5

Prevention and Treatment

OTC medications

OTC, or over the counter, means that you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to purchase the medication.12

Specific OTC medications are often used to prevent and treat travel sickness.6,13 These medications are effective in the prevention and treatment of the symptoms of travel sickness, e.g. vertigo, dizziness and nausea, because of their calming effect on the vestibular system.14,15

They are most effective when taken 1 to 2 hours (depending on the medication) before travelling, rather than after symptoms begin.2,6,15 A healthcare professional at your local pharmacy will be able to discuss your condition with you and suggest the appropriate OTC solution.12

Ask your pharmacist about cost-effective OTC medication available for the prevention and treatment of travel sickness.

References

1. Zhang L, Wang J, Qi R, et al. Motion sickness: current knowledge and recent advance. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2015;22(1):15-24. doi:10.1111/cns.12468.

2. Leung AK, Hon KL. Motion sickness: an overview. Drugs Context. 2019;8. doi:10.7573/dic.2019-9-4.

3. Motion sickness - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. BMJ Best Practice. Accessed March 23, 2021. https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/1034.

4. Motion sickness: symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed March 23, 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12782-motion-sickness.

5. Mittelstaedt JM. Individual predictors of the susceptibility for motion-related sickness: a systematic review. J Vestib Res. 2020;30(3):165-193. doi:10.3233/VES-

200702.

6. Murdin L, Golding J, Bronstein A. Managing motion sickness. BMJ. 2011;343:d7430. doi:10.1136/bmj.d7430.

7. Koch A, Cascorbi I, Westhofen M, et al. The neurophysiology and treatment of motion sickness. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(41):687-996.

doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0687.

8. Car sickness in children: can I prevent it? Mayo Clinic. Accessed March 23, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/car-sickness-in-children/expert-answers/faq-

20057876.

9. Khan S, Chang R. Anatomy of the vestibular system: a review. NeuroRehabilitation. 2013;32(3):437-443. doi:10.3233/NRE-130866.

10. Vertigo causes and treatment. NHS Inform. Accessed March 23, 2021. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/vertigo.

11. Ménière’s disease symptoms and treatments. NHS Inform. Accessed March 23, 2021. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/

menieres-disease.

12. Traditional medicines & OTC products: South Africa. PharmaBoardroom. Accessed March 23, 2021. https://pharmaboardroom.com/legal-articles/traditional-medicines-otc-products-south-africa/.

11. Motion sickness. Essential Medical Guidance app. 2021.

12. Karrim N, Magula N, Saman Y. Antihistamines for motion sickness. Cochrane Library. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012715.

13. Cinnarizine. Professional Information. Sandoz SA (Pty) Ltd; 2020.