Loose motion sickness: what to know

Motion sickness happens when signals from the eyes, inner ear, and body do not agree during travel. It commonly causes nausea, sweating, dizziness, headache, and sometimes vomiting. Loose motion can accompany anxiety or an unsettled stomach, but diarrhoea may instead reflect food, infection, medication, or a change in routine. If symptoms begin only during movement and ease after stopping, motion is more likely to be contributing; persistent diarrhoea needs separate attention. [Nausea](/symptoms/nausea/) and [Vomiting](/symptoms/vomiting/) provide related symptom information.

Choose a seat with the least movement, look at the horizon, keep your head still, and use fresh air when possible. Avoid heavy meals, alcohol, and strong smells before and during the journey; take small sips of fluid and carry oral rehydration supplies if diarrhoea is possible. Medicines for motion sickness can cause drowsiness and are not suitable for everyone, so ask a pharmacist or clinician before using them, especially during pregnancy or with other medicines.

Seek urgent care for severe dehydration, fainting, confusion, severe abdominal pain, blood in stool or vomit, chest pain, or breathing difficulty. Arrange medical advice if diarrhoea continues after travel, vomiting prevents drinking, fever develops, or symptoms occur when you are not moving. A [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) can help review prevention and medication before a future trip.

Ask whether your bowel symptoms need testing, which travel-sickness medicine fits your health history, how to maintain hydration, and what symptoms should stop you from travelling.