Dealing With Motion Sickness

About one in three people are highly likely to experience motion sickness at least once in their lifetime. And while some people are more prone to it than others, this dizzying, nauseating ailment can strike anyone at anytime or place — including on your upcoming charter bus trip.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

There isn’t a definitive cause linked to motion sickness, but research has shown several possibilities. The leading theory is that as our brain absorbs stimuli from around us — sights, sounds, smells and physical sensations — it gets confused if those signals don’t match the reality in front of us. It would explain why motion sickness is worse after reading in a moving vehicle — staring at a stationary page while your inner ear detects movement sends your brain conflicting messages.

Anyone can experience motion sickness, but you might be more susceptible if you are a woman, prone to migraine headaches, have an inner ear disorder or take certain medications. Though this condition can start suddenly and without warning, those who have had symptoms before are more likely to again. The more motion sick you become, the more symptoms you can experience, such as:

Dizziness

Nausea

Paleness

Rapid breathing

Increased saliva

Headache

Drowsiness

Cold sweat

Irritability

Inability to concentrate

Restlessness

Though motion sickness rarely causes significant problems, it can lead to vomiting, dehydration or low blood pressure in some cases. It also leaves you miserable during an otherwise exciting bus trip with friends and family.

Can You Train Yourself Not to Get Motion Sick?

If you’ve had one too many road trips ruined by motion sickness, you might be in luck — research suggests there may be a few ways to “train” yourself not to experience motion sickness.