Traveling with motion sickness

Contributed by Corina Mihaela ParaschivFriday, 14 December 2007 21:42 - Last Updated Friday, 14 December 2007 You'll probably call me a fool but when I applied for a semester abroad on a traveling ship, I alreadyknew I had motion sickness. I have yet to discover whether it was a wise decision, but here are somethings my medical visits and discussions with other travelers have enabled me to learn.  I think it isimportant for leaders to find strategies to overcome motion sickness; there are a lot of things I wouldhave missed on if I couldn't have steped onto a plane, a car or a boat.  So here are a few ideas ofwhat to take along, what can be done and about adjusting to it.
For people who have very light motion sickness, Gravol produces a non-sleepy formula of pills basedwith ginger root. Peppermint seems to be an alternative to ginger-based products too. However, ifyou're like me and you are really prone to motion sickness you will have to consider alternatives.
Doctors have assured me Dramamine and Gravol are the exact same thing, although I did not have achance to verify that, and they can be taken without worry in terms of quantity, usually 30 to 60minutes prior to transportation. They last somewhere between four to six hours but have thedisadvantage of making you sleepy. Patches are most recommended however, because they giveless hassle. They last for three days in a row and you just place them behind the ear at least 8 hoursprior to embarking your mean of transportation. You can use two or three in a row without problemsbut longer use is not recommended. Eat regularly. Don't eat too much because you will also feel nauseous, but if you have nothing inyour stomach you are more likely to get ill. So have a little something every two or three hours, justto keep your stomach with something inside. Keep in mind that what you eat also matters; try noteat anything greasy, that tastes or smells very strongly. Sometimes even the smell of food can makeyou sick so try to remove or to stay away from smells that don't make you feel well. Sleep does wonder. If you're on a study programme you probably won't be afford to sleep in hope ofgetting through your motion sickness but if you end up feeling very ill, you might have to considerthe nap. You can also do it on your free time. I nottice in cars and planes that when I do sleep I don'teven nottice the rocking anymore.
Getting fresh air was something that was very much recommended to me. On a car or bus you justhave to open a window or pull over for a stop. But it can be a tricky business if you are on a shipbecause sometimes, especially when you feel extremely sick, going up on the deck is discouraging inthe first place. Once outside though, fresh air will help you, and so will looking at the horizon.
Contributed by Corina Mihaela ParaschivFriday, 14 December 2007 21:42 - Last Updated Friday, 14 December 2007 Some things are to be avoided like smoking, alcohol and reading, and you should try to move as littleas possible. If resting, try a position in between inclined and lying down. The place you choose to sitin is can also make the ride a better experience. In cars, try to be in driver's seat, and if that isn't anoption, ask to be in the front seat next to the driver. In the bus, a place in the front is also desirable,with the window open if possible. In the plane a good spot is actually right next to the wings of theplane or above the wheels. Last, on a boat, the good spot to have your room in is in the center of theship, near the floatation line if possible. Or so I have been told. Within two weeks of constantly being on a ship, practically everyone's bodyasjusts to sea sickness. For people who aren't extremely sea sick, for instance, it takes less than aweek. I've also been told funny annecdotes about how, upon debarking, you'll be so used to the shipthat it'll feel as if the earth is tilting the first three days. I've been quite surprised upon discovering this but although your body will adapt to traveling on thesea within two weeks, if you suddenly go on a jeep safari, you won't be immune to the land-motionsickness. This means that if you go away from a cruise ship for a land trip for a short period of time,you must remember to take some Dramamine or Gravol along for that trip too.
Motion sickness can truely ruin an experience so do everything again to keep it down the first twoweeks before you get acquainted to the motion; coming aboard, you might have to sleep a littlemore, avoid culinary experiments and the such at the beggining. But keep in mind it will soon goaway as your body slowly adjusts. Also, bigger cruise ships are more stable nowdays, and if you areusing a car or bus then sleeping can always be a way out. Last, if you do end up regurgitating yourlunch, ask for some bicarbonated soda to clear the mess – it removes stains really well. If someonejust made a mess next to you and you know you are prone to motion sickness, move away and getfresh air – our body were made so that if a fellow caveman was poisonned by food we all atetogether as a community, and vomited it, our own bodies would catch on to the danger and alsovomit the food. This instinct has persisted and therefore you should be be careful to avoid suchsituations.   You can check out this very good how-to article for learning more about recognizing

Source: http://innovationplatform.concordia.ca/joomla15/internationalism/42-internationalism/62-dealing-with-motion-sickness.pdf