The Secret of Great Health Care

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Motion Sickness

Chapter 23: Motion Sickness

Discomfort in the stomach followed by feeling nauseated or vomiting, having cold sweats, facial flushing, dizziness, increased salivation, feeling warm and generally feeling bad when traveling defines motion sickness. This can occur with any type of motion such as plane rides, boat trips, trains, amusement park rides or even car trips.

Who should be concerned

 

 Motion sickness is not associated with any long-term complications or problems, but sometimes motion sickness can mimic more serious conditions. The following people should be concerned and get immediate medical help.

  • Those with a symptoms of a stroke: slurred speech, paralysis, weakness or reduced coordination
  • When motion sickness is associated with chest pain or shortness of breath

 

 Risk factors

 

 Treatment

Motion sickness can be treated with multiple over-the-counter medications and some prescription medications. Oral medications should be given 30-60 minutes before travel. Those with certain conditions (chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, a history of seizures, glaucoma, and enlarged prostate, urinary retention or constipation) should talk to their doctor before trying one of the over-the-counter medications.

A prescription patch – Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) - can be applied prior to travel. It is changed every 72 hours and the area should be washed well after the product has been removed. It is given to those over 18-years-old.

Scopolamine also comes as a tablet that can be taken one hour prior to exposure to travel and can be given every 6-8 hours as needed. It is given to those over 18-years-old. Over-the-counter products

Over-the-counter medications should be taken 30 minutes to one hour before travel.

  • Meclizine (Bonine) 25-50 mg by mouth for those 12-years-old and older. This is a longer acting medication than Dramamine and is only given once a day. It has a different active ingredient than original Dramamine.
  • Clyclizine (Bonine for Kids) is given for those over the age of 6 as 25 mg every 6-8 hours no more than 3 doses in 24 hours.
  • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) is given to adults (greater than 12-years-old) and dosed 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Those 6-11-years-old take 12.5 to 25 mg by mouth every 6-8 hours. It can also be given to those 2-5-years-old every 6-8 hours. Adults should not take more than 400 mg in 24 hours; those 6-11 should not take more than 150 mg in 24 hours; and those 2-5 should not take more than 75 mg in 24 hours. I do not recommend using these products in children under 6.
  • Meclizine (Dramamine) 25-50 mg tablet is taken by mouth once a day for those over the age of 12. This is a newer product that is under the brand name Dramamine but contains a different active ingredient than the original Dramamine. It contains the active ingredient in Bonine. It therefore only has to be given once a day.
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is given to adults (greater than 12-years-old) as 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Those 6-11-years-old take 12.5 to 25 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed. Adults should not take more than 300 mg in 24 hours and kids (6-11-years-old) should take no more than 150 mg in 24 hours.
  • Sea-band is an over-the-counter band that is placed on the wrist. It works by providing acupressure. It can be used by those 2 and older and is used for the relief of nausea. Research has shown that it is not effective in preventing motion sickness, but has no side effects – excpet a dent in the pocket book. .

Research is sparse as to which product is most effective, but using a product with meclizine (either Dramamine (less drowsy formula) or Bonine) is preferred as it requires less dosing and is associated with less sedation. If you are just being exposed to a short duration trip the use of the Dramamine original product may be as beneficial as the medication will be out of your system in a shorter period of time.

To purchase products discussed in this chapter visit The Drug Store.

 

 Other tips to minimize motion sickness

  • Sit in the front seat of the car
  • Sit in the center of the airplane – over the wing if possible
  • If possible, get fresh air – open a vent
  • Do not eat heavy or fatty meals prior to travel
  • Minimize excessive head movements when traveling
  • Do not read when traveling
  • Do not drink alcohol when traveling
  • Avoid others who are motion sick
  • Fix on set point on the horizon when on a boat
  • Sunglasses may be helpful
  • Avoid strong odors

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