Many travelers suffer terribly from car, boat or air sickness. Are there effective ways to ease this discomfort?
This exhausting condition is known as motion sickness.
It occurs when jolting, swaying, spinning or accelerating movements during rides stimulate the human vestibular nerve. Symptoms worsen sharply during sudden braking, sharp turns or abrupt starts, and gradually subside after getting off the vehicle for a short rest. Around one-third of people experience severe motion sickness that severely disrupts land, sea and air travel, as well as other moving environments such as elevators and escalators.
Six pre-trip preparations can effectively reduce motion sickness discomfort:
Eat light, easy-to-digest and low-fat food two hours before departure; avoid overeating.
Sit in the middle of the vehicle near a window and face forward. Do not read books, newspapers or mobile phones while moving. Instead, close your eyes to rest or listen to music.
Frequent motion sickness sufferers should take anti-sickness medicine half an hour before boarding. If the vehicle or boat rocks violently, choose a backward-facing seat and lie supine with eyes closed. Sufferers can also relieve symptoms by switching from thoracic breathing to abdominal breathing.
Slice fresh ginger, attach the slice to your navel before boarding and secure it with a damp pain-relief plaster or medical adhesive tape. Drinking a cup of strong tea before departure or a small glass of warm water mixed with vinegar can also prevent motion sickness.
For mild discomfort, apply a small amount of cooling balm or peppermint oil to your forehead and the Renzhong acupoint.
Do not take medicine when you look pale and feel nauseous. When feeling unwell, adjust your body into a comfortable posture, remove your hat and loosen collars and waistbands for loose-fitting clothing. Do not hold back nausea; vomit whenever necessary.