Advocate doctor offers 8 ways to beat motion sickness

For many, summer vacation means travel, which could be by car, airplane or boat. But for those who suffer from motion sickness, it could be a very miserable trip.

Motion sickness is a common problem for people traveling by car, train, airplanes and especially boats. Unfortunately, it can start suddenly, with a queasy feeling and cold sweats leading to dizziness, nausea and even vomiting.

According to Dr. Rodrigo Bastidas, an Advocate Medical Group family medicine physician at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital with offices in Barrington and Algonquin, Illinois, motion sickness occurs when the motion you see is different from the motion sensed by your inner ear.

"Your brain senses movement by getting signals from your inner ears, eyes, muscles and joints. When it gets signals that do not match your actual motion, you get motion sickness," he says. "For example, down below on a boat, your inner ear senses motion, but your eyes cannot tell you are moving."

Wondering what you can do to prevent motion sickness? Dr. Bastidas suggests these eight tips:

• Where you sit can make a difference. The front seat of a car, forward cars of a train, upper deck on a boat or wing seats in a plane may give you a smoother ride. If you're traveling, reserve seats where motion is felt least.

• Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Don't read.

• Keep your head still, while resting against a seat back.

• Don't smoke or sit near smokers.

• Avoid spicy and greasy foods and alcohol. Don't overeat.

• Eat dry crackers or drink a carbonated beverage to help settle your stomach if you become ill.

• Stimulating your other senses can distract you from the motion.

Aromatherapy (mint or lavender), ginger candy or other flavored lozenges may help.

"Medicines can be used to prevent or treat motion sickness, although many of them have the unwanted side effect of making you sleepy," Dr. Bastidas says. "Check with your doctor about what is best for you if you think you need medicine for motion sickness. The good news is that motion sickness tends to go away as soon as the motion stops."