How to avoid motion sickness

Motion sickness can develop when the eyes and the balance organs in the inner ear send conflicting information about movement to the brain. Nausea, dizziness, sweating, pallor, headache and vomiting may follow. Cars, boats, aircraft, rides and screen use in a moving vehicle can trigger it. Susceptibility varies between people and can change from one journey to another.

Before leaving, eat a light meal, drink water and avoid alcohol. In a car, sit where you can see the road; on a boat, stay near the centre and look toward the horizon; on an aircraft, a seat near the wings may feel steadier. Keep your head supported, breathe slowly and avoid reading or looking down at a phone. Fresh air, regular breaks during road travel and lying back with closed eyes can ease early symptoms.

If these measures are not enough, ask a pharmacist or clinician about a suitable preventive medicine before the journey. The right choice depends on age, pregnancy, health conditions and other medicines. Some travel-sickness products cause drowsiness, blurred vision or a dry mouth, so check the label and do not drive if affected.

Get medical advice if dizziness or nausea continues after travel has ended, happens without movement, keeps returning, or is accompanied by hearing changes, a severe headache, weakness, fainting or trouble walking. Seek prompt help if repeated vomiting prevents you from keeping fluids down, or if there are signs of dehydration such as very dark urine, marked thirst, confusion or unusual sleepiness.

Ask which preventive option fits your journey and medical history, when it should be taken, whether it interacts with your regular medicines, and whether it may affect driving or work. For a child, ask for an age-appropriate product and dose rather than sharing an adult medicine.