by Rachel Derowitsch



CONFLICTING MESSAGES
Motion sickness is the result of your central nervous system receiving mixed messages from sensors in your body that detect motion relative to your body’s position. Working together, those sensors, or receptors, give you a sense of balance.

For example, sensors in your inner ears detect rotation and different types of acceleration. When the plane you’re riding is roaring down the runway, your inner ears may tell your brain that you are accelerating vertically; but your eyes, perhaps glued to the back of the head of the passenger in front of you, tell your brain that you’re not moving at all. Sensors in your skin, muscles, and joints may also be sending mixed signals.

The result of all these conflicting messages can be one or a combination of nasty side effects. It may start with the color draining from your face, or you may break out in a cold sweat. You may start to feel dizzy or nauseated. And in extreme cases, you may drool, faint, or vomit.


TAKE YOUR MEDS
A variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications have been proven to relieve travelers from motion sickness symptoms. Your choice of medication depends on the length of your trip, the severity of your symptoms, your current health and what prescriptions you are taking, and your ability to handle possible side effects from the medication. Prescription medication will work longer but may result in more severe side effects than over-the-counter medications.

One very effective medication is scopolamine, which is available in oral and patch forms. Oral scopolamine works for about six to eight hours, while the dime-size patch, Transderm Scop, can work for three or four days; ideal for long trips. If taking motion sickness medicine orally, do so at least one hour before traveling. And if you apply a patch, put it on several hours prior to departure.

If nausea is your primary side effect while traveling, then an antihistamine may work for you. Antihistamines counter the effects of histamines at receptor sites on your body. Though often used to treat the effects of colds and allergies, the following are also used to treat motion sickness: promethazine (found in Phenergan), diphenhydramine (found in Benadryl), meclizine (found in Antivert and Bonine), and dimenhydrinate (found in Dramamine).

A different prevention for nausea is applying pressure to or electrically stimulating the P6 pressure point just above the wrist. The FDA-approved ReliefBand ($99.95; www.reliefband.com) is a battery-operated, watch-like device that stimulates the underside of your upper wrist.


TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
In addition to, or instead of, using the following remedies, you can take action to minimize or stave off motion sickness.

• Before you travel, avoid salty, greasy, or spicy food, plus caffeine and nicotine.

• Don’t read or watch a video while traveling. Instead, if possible, focus on something in the distance. If you’re on an airplane, try to get a window seat so you can gaze outside of the plane. If you’re in a car or train, try to get a seat as near to the front as possible. Don’t face the rear. If you’re on a ship, go outside or to a window so you can look at the horizon.

• Keep your head as still as possible.

• Relax. Stress can worsen the symptoms.

• Get fresh, cool air. When traveling by plane, direct the overhead vent on you. Also, take along or request a cold compress to stay cool.

• If you are suffering from extreme side effects, lie down if at all possible.

Before your next trip, practice these tips, and if necessary, try one of the listed medications. You may just find the skies friendlier to fly.