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Written by: Favour Francis | Reviewed by: Dr Ortega Ogomigo
Introduction
If you’ve ever taken a long bus ride and suddenly started feeling dizzy, sweaty, or like your stomach is “turning,” then you’ve probably experienced motion sickness. It’s one of those things that can turn a normal trip into something very uncomfortable.
While motion sickness is very common, it is also manageable once you understand the causes and how to handle it.
In this article, we’ll break it down in a simple way so you can understand:
- What motion sickness is
- Why it happens during travel
- The common signs to watch out for
- Ways to prevent or reduce motion sickness while travelling
- When it’s important to get medical help
What is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness is that uncomfortable feeling some people experience while travelling in a car, bus, boat, train, or airplane. It usually happens when the movement your body feels does not match what your eyes are seeing.
For example, you may be sitting inside a moving bus scrolling through your phone. Your inner ear, which helps with balance, senses movement, but your eyes are focused on something still. This mismatch can confuse the brain and trigger symptoms like nausea, dizziness, sweating, or vomiting.
Motion sickness can affect both adults and children, and it is especially common during long journeys, rough road trips, boat rides, or turbulent flights.
What Causes Motion Sickness During Travel?
Several factors can trigger or worsen motion sickness during a trip. Sometimes, it is not even the journey itself, but the way your body reacts to what is happening around you.
Winding or Rough Roads
If you have ever travelled on a long road with plenty of potholes or constant shaking, then you already know how uncomfortable it can feel. Too much movement during a trip can easily trigger nausea or dizziness.
Sitting at the Back of the Vehicle
For many people, sitting in the back seat of a car or inside the far back of a bus makes motion sickness worse. The movement often feels stronger there compared to the front seat.
Reading or Pressing Your Phone While Travelling
Reading a book, scrolling through your phone, or replying to chats during a trip can make you feel sick faster. Your eyes are focused on one thing while your body still feels the vehicle’s movement, which can confuse the brain.
Hot or Stuffy Vehicles
Travelling in a car or bus with poor ventilation can make the discomfort worse. Lack of fresh air can quickly increase nausea.
Strong Smells
Things like petrol fumes, strong perfumes, smoke, or certain foods inside the vehicle can trigger motion sickness in some people.
Anxiety or Fear of Travelling
Some people notice they feel more sick when they are already worried about the journey. Being anxious or tense can make symptoms like nausea and dizziness even worse.
Common Symptoms of Motion Sickness
Motion sickness can feel different from one person to another. Some people may only feel slightly uncomfortable, while others may feel so unwell that they just want the journey to end quickly. Common signs to watch out for include:
- Feeling nauseous, like you may throw up at any moment.
- Feeling lightheaded or like your head is spinning.
- Some people may eventually throw up, especially during long or rough trips.
- Sweating more than usual, even when the weather is not particularly hot.
- You may notice a dull headache during or after the journey.
- You might suddenly feel drained and low on energy.
- Food may become the last thing on your mind during the trip.
Some people also say they start feeling uncomfortable after only a short distance, especially during long bus rides or road trips. The symptoms often improve once the movement stops.
How Can I Manage Motion Sickness When Travelling?
Motion sickness can make a journey feel much longer than it really is. Thankfully, there are a few changes that can help you feel much better while in motion.
Sit Where You Feel Less Movement
Where you sit during a journey can affect how you feel.
- In cars, try sitting in the front seat instead of the back.
- On a plane, seats near the wings may feel more stable.
- On boats, sitting around the middle area may help reduce the feeling of movement.
The idea is to sit in a place where the movement feels less intense.
Look Ahead Instead of Reading or Pressing Your Phone
Many people instinctively reach for their phone during a journey, whether to scroll through social media or watch videos. But if you easily get motion sickness, this may make things worse.
Try looking ahead through the window instead. Looking at the road ahead or focusing on something in the distance helps your eyes and body “agree” on the movement happening around you.
Get Some Fresh Air
A stuffy bus or car can make nausea worse very quickly.
If possible:
- Open the window a little
- Turn on the air conditioner
- Avoid sitting in areas with little airflow
Fresh air can help reduce that uncomfortable feeling and make you feel more settled.
Avoid Heavy Meals Before Travelling
Travelling immediately after eating a very heavy meal may not be the best idea, especially if you already struggle with motion sickness.
Heavy foods, particularly oily or spicy ones, may make nausea feel worse during the journey. You do not have to travel on an empty stomach, but lighter meals may be easier on your body.
Stay Hydrated
Not drinking enough water can sometimes make dizziness and headaches feel worse. Try to drink enough water before and during your journey.
Try Ginger
Some people find ginger helpful for easing nausea during travel.
You could try:
- Ginger tea
- Ginger sweets
- Small amounts of fresh ginger
Not everyone responds the same way, but ginger is commonly used by people looking for natural ways to reduce motion sickness.
Get Enough Rest Before Travelling
Travelling when you are already tired can make motion sickness feel worse. If you have a long trip ahead, it is advised to get enough sleep the night before to help you feel better during the journey.
Motion Sickness Medicines May Help
Some medicines, such as dimenhydrinate or meclizine,are commonly used in Nigeria to help with motion sickness. You may even hear people refer to them as “travel sickness tablets,” especially when preparing for long bus or road trips. In some cases, a doctor may also recommend a scopolamine patch, which is placed behind the ear before travelling.
These medicines can help reduce symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and vomiting during travel. However, they are not for everyone, and they may cause side effects like drowsiness in some people.
It’s always better to use them carefully and speak with a doctor if you are not sure what is safe for you, especially for children or if you already have other health conditions.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Motion sickness is usually not serious and often gets better once the journey ends. But there are times when the symptoms may become severe enough to need medical attention.
You should consider speaking with a doctor if:
- You feel dizzy or nauseous even when you are not travelling. Motion sickness symptoms are usually linked to movement. If they happen while you are sitting at home or going about your normal day, something else may be wrong.
- You are vomiting repeatedly or severely. Constant vomiting can leave you weak, making it difficult to function properly.
- You show signs of dehydration. This may include feeling very thirsty, having a dry mouth, passing little urine, feeling weak, or noticing that your urine is darker than usual.
- You frequently experience dizziness. Feeling dizzy once in a while during travel may happen, but frequent dizziness should not be ignored.
- You notice hearing problems. Ringing in the ears, reduced hearing, or changes in hearing, along with dizziness, may need medical attention.
If motion sickness keeps happening and starts affecting your daily life or making you avoid travelling altogether, you should get yourself checked
From the Desk of Koyo Doctors
Travelling is part of everyday life for a lot of people in Nigeria. So, motion sickness can make the journeys feel more stressful than they should.
The good thing is, for most people, it can be handled with small changes, and it doesn’t have to stop them from moving around or going about their normal life.
But if it keeps happening often or starts feeling different from the usual “travel sickness,” it’s better to get it checked instead of just managing it on your own.
Take care of yourself, and try to make your next trip as comfortable as you can.
