Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can severely upset your travel plans! This health issue can be very disruptive not just to travel but to life in general; therefore, it is crucial to understand what motion sickness is and how to prevent it.

Motion sickness is the feeling you get when the motion you sense with your inner ear is different from the motion you visualize. It is caused by the mixed signals that are sent to the brain from the inner ear and eyes in such situations. When the signals that tell your brain where your body is in space get confused, motion sickness tends to result. For example, if you are reading in the backseat of a car, your inner ear and skin receptors will feel the motion of the car. Your eyes, however, are focused on the page of the book you are reading. Since your eyes are not seeing the forward motion, motion sickness could result.

Anyone who is traveling could be at risk for motion sickness. Other factors that exacerbate motion sickness include traveling on a boat, general anxiety about travel, and the inability to see out of a window.

Motion sickness typically begins with a feeling of uneasiness that then progresses to cold sweats and dizziness. Some motion sickness sufferers may become pale and experience headache and fatigue. These initial symptoms are usually followed by nausea and vomiting.

Motion sickness does not typically require immediate medical attention, unless a person becomes dehydrated from persistent vomiting. For most sufferers, the symptoms of motion sickness slowly decrease and then disappear as soon as or very shortly after the motion stops.

The best way to deal with motion sickness is to prevent it entirely. Transderm Scōp®, an easy to apply, dime-sized patch, is clinically proven to help prevent the nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness.

In addition to being easy to use, Transderm Scōp® is excellent for preventing motion sickness because:

• It is the #1 doctor recommended prescription brand for motion sickness prevention.
• 5 out of 6 users report no drowsiness.*
• One patch prevents motion sickness for up to 72 hours.
• It is extremely easy to use.
• Simply apply the small patch to the skin behind the ear at least four hours before motion will start.

Transderm Scōp® takes the worry out of travel.

In the majority of cases, the best way to prevent motion sickness is by using properly prescribed motion sickness medication before motion that could make a person feel ill starts. However, these motion sickness prevention tips may help minimize symptoms as well:

• Using visual fixation (for example, watching the distant horizon on a rocking boat or sitting in the driver’s seat and looking ahead while in a motor vehicle)
• Choosing a seat where motion is felt least (such as the front seat of a car, a seat over the wings in an airplane, or the forward/ middle cabin or upper deck of a ship)
• Keeping the head and body as still as possible
• Sitting face forward and in a reclining position
• Not reading
• Sleeping
• Getting fresh air by opening a window, opening an air vent, or going to a ship’s top deck
• Not drinking alcoholic beverages (because it can aggravate nausea)
• Eating small amounts of low-fat, bland, starchy foods and not eating strong-smelling or strong-tasting foods
• Avoiding food and drink on short airplane trips, especially on small airplanes
• Possibly, not smoking

Transderm Scōp® is available at Passport Health locations nationwide. Make sure motion sickness prevention is a part of your pre-travel health plan!