Motion Sickness (Travel Sickness): Causes and How to Prevent It

What Is Motion Sickness?

Your body is constantly telling your brain where you are and how you're moving. Motion sickness sets in when those signals don't agree. In a car, for example, your inner ear feels every turn and bump, while your eyes may be locked on a phone or a book that isn't moving at all. That mismatch confuses the brain, and the symptoms follow.

You might feel:

1. Dizzy or off balance.
2. Nausea, sometimes with vomiting.
3. A cold sweat.
4. A headache.
5. Tired and drained.

So getting carsick doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong with your ear or your brain. Most of the time, it's just a temporary reaction to movement and to the conflicting signals your brain is receiving.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

Any kind of transportation can bring it on. Some situations make it more likely, though. Reading or scrolling on your phone during the ride, or sitting somewhere you can't see the road clearly, can raise your chances of feeling dizzy and queasy.

Common triggers include:

1. Long trips, especially by car or boat.
2. Sitting in the back seat.
3. Reading or using your phone while the vehicle is moving.
4. Not being able to see the road or the horizon clearly.
5. Sudden, repeated movements like speed bumps or constant turns.
6. Strong smells, heat, or stuffy air.

Some people are simply more prone to travel sickness than others, particularly children and people who've had it often in the past.

How Can You Reduce Motion Sickness in the Car?

If you start feeling sick or dizzy the moment you get in a car, a few simple steps may help.

Try to sit where you can see the road clearly, and keep your eyes on the horizon instead of your phone or a book. Opening a window for fresh air helps too. So does skipping a heavy meal right before you leave.

Useful tips for easing car sickness:

1. Sit in the front seat if that's appropriate and safe.
2. Look at the road or a fixed point in the distance.
3. Avoid reading and using your phone on the move.
4. Keep the air flowing.
5. Have a light snack before the trip instead of a heavy meal.
6. Stay away from strong smells that can make nausea worse.
7. Take breaks on long drives.

These steps can ease motion sickness symptoms. Keep in mind, though, that not every dizzy spell on the road is motion sickness.

Motion Sickness vs. BPPV: What's the Difference?

You may have heard of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and assumed it's just another type of motion sickness. It isn't. They're two different conditions.

BPPV happens when tiny calcium carbonate crystals inside the inner ear break loose from their normal spot and drift into the canals that sense movement and balance.

When that happens, the room can suddenly start spinning when you change the position of your head, for example when you:

1. Roll over in bed.
2. Get up or lie down.
3. Tilt your head back.
4. Look up or down.

Motion sickness, on the other hand, is usually tied to travel and movement, like riding in a car or on a boat. It typically fades once the trigger stops.

So if strong spinning spells hit whenever you move your head, even at home, motion sickness probably isn't the cause. The real reason needs to be properly assessed.

How Is Motion Sickness Treated?

If travel sickness is a regular problem for you, start by cutting down on the triggers. Put the phone and book away during the ride and watch the road.

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication to help prevent nausea and dizziness while traveling, such as certain antihistamines. Examples include dimenhydrinate and meclizine.

That said, don't take dizziness medication on your own, especially if you have a chronic condition or take other medicines. The right drug and dose depend on your overall health.

Is Motion Sickness a Chronic Condition?

In most cases, no. It shows up in response to a specific trigger, like travel or movement, and usually gets better once that trigger is gone.

But what if the trip's over and you still feel dizzy or unsteady?

Then don't assume it's just motion sickness, especially if the symptoms keep coming back or show up while you're sitting still. Ongoing dizziness can be linked to other causes, such as:

1. Inner ear disorders.
2. Certain nervous system problems.
3. Blood pressure issues.
4. Low levels of some nutrients, in certain cases.

Dizziness or imbalance that lingers or keeps returning without a clear reason needs a medical evaluation to find the cause, not just treatment for the symptoms.

How Do You Know If Dizziness Is Coming From Your Inner Ear?

Some signs point toward the vestibular system in the inner ear. The spinning might come back every time you move your head, or it may come with ringing in the ear (tinnitus), changes in hearing, or a feeling that your ear is full.

Still, one symptom alone can't pinpoint the cause. Dizziness and loss of balance have many possible causes, and some inner ear disorders look a lot like other problems.

If your vertigo attacks are frequent or severe, get a proper medical assessment.

Can Vitamin Deficiency Cause Dizziness?

Low levels of certain vitamins can be linked to nerve symptoms or problems with sensation and balance. That doesn't mean every case of dizziness comes down to a vitamin deficiency.

Vitamin B12 deficiency, for example, can cause nerve problems that affect sensation and balance. Low vitamin D, meanwhile, has been associated in some studies with a higher risk of BPPV coming back.

So don't start supplements just because you feel dizzy. Find the cause first, and get whatever tests your doctor thinks are appropriate.

When Is Dizziness Serious?

Most of the time, dizziness is mild and passes. When it comes on suddenly along with neurological symptoms, though, you may need urgent medical help.

Get emergency care right away if dizziness comes with:

1. Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
2. Trouble speaking or understanding speech.
3. Double vision or vision loss.
4. A sudden, severe headache.
5. Serious difficulty walking or an obvious loss of balance.
6. Fainting or passing out.
7. Chest pain or severe shortness of breath.

Having these symptoms doesn't automatically mean something serious is going on. It does mean you need a fast assessment to rule out causes that need urgent treatment.

Can Anxiety Cause Dizziness?

Yes. Anxiety and stress can come with dizziness or a feeling of unsteadiness, especially during anxiety or panic attacks.

Under stress, your breathing pattern can change and your nervous system gets more active. That can leave you lightheaded or off balance.

Don't assume dizziness is "all in your head" just because you're anxious, though. If the symptoms are new, recurring, or severe, have them checked by a doctor first.

Does motion sickness go away after the trip ends?

Yes, symptoms usually improve once the motion stops, and your body gradually gets back to normal. Dizziness or imbalance that lasts long after the trip, however, needs to be looked into.

What's the difference between motion sickness and inner ear dizziness?

Motion sickness is usually tied to travel and movement. Dizziness from an inner ear disorder can happen even when you're not traveling. Depending on the cause, it may be linked to head movements or come with tinnitus or hearing changes.

Is motion sickness chronic?

Usually not. It's tied to a specific motion trigger and tends to improve once that trigger stops. Chronic or recurring dizziness without any movement points to a different cause that needs to be found.

Can vitamin B12 deficiency cause dizziness?

It can lead to nerve symptoms that affect sensation and balance. But it's not the only cause of dizziness, so the cause should be identified before any treatment starts.

Motion sickness is usually a temporary problem tied to travel, and it tends to ease as soon as the trigger stops. If the dizziness or imbalance sticks around, or shows up when you're not moving at all, don't write it off as travel sickness. There may be another cause that needs a proper diagnosis and treatment.

If you still need a doctor’s consultation regarding this condition, you can easily book an appointment through Vezeeta.