How is motion sickness different in travellers?

The inner ear senses movement while the eyes may see a stable cabin, screen or page. The brain receives mismatched information, which can cause nausea, dizziness, sweating, pallor, headache or vomiting. Ships, winding roads, turbulence and visual tasks can increase symptoms. Anxiety, migraine history, poor sleep and an empty or very full stomach may also make a journey harder.

Choose a position with the least movement: near the middle of a boat, over the vehicle wheels, or facing forward where possible. Look at the horizon, keep fresh air moving, and avoid reading or using a screen. Eat a light meal, sip fluids and take breaks on road journeys. If considering medicine, ask a pharmacist about timing, drowsiness and interactions before travelling.

Seek care if vomiting prevents you keeping fluids down, dizziness continues long after travel, you faint, develop severe headache, weakness, chest pain or confusion, or symptoms occur without movement. Persistent or unusual dizziness may have another cause and should be assessed.

Ask which preventive option fits your route and health history, when to take it, and whether drowsiness could affect driving or safety. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, glaucoma, urinary problems, migraine, previous reactions and other medicines.