How to prevent airplane, sea and travel sickness

Posted on 5 December 2016

While holiday and travel are two terms that go hand in hand, the less pleasant occurrence of travel sickness can rear its head. Be it land, sea or air travel, nausea or headaches are often experienced while in transit. Here are expert tips on dealing with travel sickness.

Why do some people get travel sickness?

‘Most travel sickness is associated with being in motion,’ says Dr Evert Bouwer, a general practitioner specialising in travel-related illness prevention at Mediclinic Durbanville. ‘If a discrepancy exists between the vestibular system, visual input and proprioception, some form of motion sickness is bound to occur.’ Proprioception is the perception of the position of our bodies, and is attained by receptors in our muscles, tendons and joints. This sense of balance is also influenced by the vestibular (inner ear) system, along with visual input.

‘Take reading in a motor car for instance,’ says Dr Bouwer. ‘The person’s vision is focused on a static object while the inner ear perceives the motion of the vehicle. This disruption between vestibular and visual input tends to result in motion-related illnesses.’

The various categories of travel sickness correspond to popular modes of travel. Air, sea and car sickness are effectively the same as far as symptoms go. As claustrophobia or anxiety can also contribute to falling ill, Dr Bouwer suggests planning ahead when scheduling a vacation that involves travel.

‘It’s better to prevent illness before travel than to seek treatment during or after,’ he says. ‘A light meal before departure is a good idea, as is good hydration. Having a plan in place is also a form of reassurance, and a positive mindset can be a preventative factor.’

Top in-travel tips to help prevent illness

• Car: ‘Try to avoid reading or playing games on a digital tablet while travelling,’ says Dr Bouwer. ‘Looking downward at a fixed object is recipe for nausea, so try to maintain a level line of sight throughout the journey. Children younger than 12 years can benefit from a raised seat to maintain this. ‘Focus on the horizon, ensure good ventilation and listen to music,’ Dr Bouwer adds. ‘Chewing gum and sitting in the front of the vehicle are good preventable measures for adults.’
• Aircraft: ‘Try to arrange seating close to the wings of the aircraft,’ Dr Bouwer suggests. ‘Look out of the window and try to avoid alcohol when flying.’
• Ship: ‘Stick to the upper decks of the vessel if possible,’ Dr Bouwer recommends. ‘The centre of a ship is the best place to avoid movement, and taking prophylaxis is a good idea if rough seas are predicted.’

What if the symptoms persist?

While there is no definite evidence of age being a factor in travel sickness, adults who experienced repeated car sickness in their youth do tend to suffer from migraines in later life. With this in mind, how can holidaymakers distinguish between travel-related ailments and more serious illness?

‘Motion sickness normally subsides once the causative agent ceases,’ Dr Bouwer explains. ‘Prolonged nausea, worsening fever or dehydration and altered consciousness are all symptoms that require further medical investigation and attention.’