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View this article online at: patient.info/health/motion-travel-sickness-leaflet

Motion (Travel) Sickness

Motion sickness (travel sickness) is very common and can make you feel sick or be sick (vomit). It is
caused by repeated unusual movements, usually when travelling by car, boat, plane or train. There
are effective treatments available, both from your doctor and the pharmacist. Ideally, medicines
should be taken before the journey is started.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness (travel sickness) is common, especially in children. It is caused by repeated unusual
movements during travelling. These repeated movements, such as going over bumps or round in a circle, send
lots of messages to your brain. Your inner ear balance mechanisms feel different signals to those that your eyes
are seeing which then sends your brain mixed, confusing messages. This then causes the symptom of feeling
sick (nausea). Other symptoms you may experience include sweating, drooling saliva, headaches, feeling cold
and going pale.

Motion sickness can also be triggered by anxiety or strong smells, such as food or petrol. Sometimes trying to
read a book or a map can trigger motion sickness. In both children and adults, playing computer games can
sometimes induce motion sickness.

Motion sickness is more common in children and also in women. Fortunately, many children grow out of having
motion sickness. It is not known why some people develop motion sickness more than others. Symptoms can
develop in cars, trains, planes and boats and on fairground rides, etc. Symptoms typically go when the journey is
over; however, not always. In some people they last a few hours, or even days, after the journey ends.

How can motion sickness be prevented?

Some general tips to avoid motion sickness include:

Keep motion to a minimum. For example, sit in the front of a car, over the wing of a plane, on deck in
the middle of a boat.
Breathe fresh air if possible. For example, open a car window.
Close your eyes and try to sleep.
Do not read or watch a film.
It is advisable not to stare at moving objects such as waves or other cars. Instead, look ahead, a little
above the horizon, at a fixed place.
Avoid heavy meals or alcohol before and during travelling. It may also be worth avoiding spicy or fatty
food.
On long journeys, it may be worth breaking the journey to have some fresh air, drink some cold water
and if possible, take a short walk.

What is the treatment for motion sickness?

There are several medicines available which can reduce, or prevent, symptoms of motion sickness. You can buy
them from pharmacies or get them on prescription. They work by interfering with the nerve signals described
above. Although they are best taken before the journey, they still may help even if you take them after symptoms
have begun.

Some medicines used for motion sickness may cause drowsiness. It is advisable not to drive or operate heavy
machinery if you have taken them. In addition, some medicines may interfere with alcohol or other medication;
your doctor or the pharmacist can advise you about this.
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Hyoscine
Hyoscine is the most effective medicine for motion sickness. It works by preventing the confusing nerve
messages going to your brain. There are several brands of medicines which contain hyoscine and they come as
a soluble form for children. You should take a dose 30-60 minutes before a journey and the effect can last up to
72 hours. One product (only available on prescription) comes as a patch for people aged 10 years or over. You
stick this on to the skin behind the ear 5-6 hours before the journey and remove it at the end of the journey. This
releases hyoscine into the bloodstream. Side-effects of hyoscine include dry mouth, drowsiness and blurred
vision. However, side-effects are uncommon.

Antihistamines
Antihistamines can also be useful, although they are not quite as effective as hyoscine. However, they usually
cause fewer side-effects. There are several types of antihistamine. Some cause drowsiness - for example,
promethazine, which may be of use for young children on long journeys. Older children or adults may prefer one
that is less likely to cause drowsiness - for example, cinnarizine or cyclizine.

Alternative treatments
These can be useful and also used with medicines if required:

One technique that has been shown to work in a clinical trial is to breathe deeply and slowly and, while
focusing on your breathing, listen to music.
Ginger can improve motion sickness in some people. It can be eaten in a biscuit or as crystallised
ginger, drunk as tea or taken as tablets before a journey.

Further reading & references

Spinks A, Wasiak J; Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
2011 Jun 15;(6):CD002851.
Zajonc TP, Roland PS; Vertigo and motion sickness. Part II: Pharmacologic treatment. Ear Nose Throat J. 2006
Jan;85(1):25-35.
Lackner JR; Motion sickness: more than nausea and vomiting. Exp Brain Res. 2014 Aug;232(8):2493-510. doi:
10.1007/s00221-014-4008-8. Epub 2014 Jun 25.
Palatty PL, Haniadka R, Valder B, et al; Ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.
2013;53(7):659-69. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.553751.
Chang CH, Pan WW, Tseng LY, et al; Postural activity and motion sickness during video game play in children and adults.
Exp Brain Res. 2012 Mar;217(2):299-309. doi: 10.1007/s00221-011-2993-4. Epub 2012 Jan 1.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical
conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its
accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
For details see our conditions.

Original Author: Current Version: Peer Reviewer:

Dr Tim Kenny Dr Roger Henderson Dr Laurence Knott
Document ID: Last Checked: Next Review:
4528 (v40) 23/02/2015 22/02/2018

View this article online at: patient.info/health/motion-travel-sickness-leaflet

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