Motion Sickness

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Motion sickness?

 

Motion sickness occur when you are feeling movement and the eye is not seeing it.
Pharmacist

Let's see what you can do about your motion sickness. But always remember, prevention is the best and most effective way to go.


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The inner ear tells the brain that it senses motion, but the eyes tell the brain that nothing is moving.

When this happen, the brain gets confused and as a defence mechanism make you throw up in case it is a poison you ingested.

FYI Continue

 

 

 

Motion sickness

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Knowing if you are looking at motion sickness is usually straightforward.
Pharmacist

But there are other things that would be wise to rule out before we can assume it is motion sickness you are experiencing.

 


Have you had motion (travel or sea) sickness before?

Or is this your first time?
Pharmacist

First time

 

Had it before?
We will Assume you know a lot about motion sickness by now.
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If the last time was pretty bad, we recommend you see a doctor to get a motion sickness prevention patch containing scopolamine. This patch will give you about 72 hours of protection.

But you have to apply it 6 to 12 hours (no less than 4 hours) before you travel. If you are already sick, it is too late for it to work.

Is it more effective than over-the-counter dramamine or something like that? Probably not. We have tried both of them and didn't see any difference and moreover, the patch is way more expensive. It is about $15 a patch.
Most insurance do cover it however.

The main advantage is the fact that it lasts for 72 hours. So you don't need to be popping pills all the time.
Also, the side effects are lesser with the patch.

The bottom line is: You have to figure out what works best for you and stay with that when traveling.

Would you like to see what a pharmacist recommend for motion sickness that is available over-the-counter or do you need a refresher to be sure you have motion sickness?
(This will consider this a first time occurence).

FYI Refresher Pharmacist

 

 

 

 

Motion sickness

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Is it motion sickness?

Let's see if it is motion sickness you are looking at as best as we can.
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We will assume it is happening to you right now. You can also follow along if you want to prevent it from happening to you. The best way to take care of it is prevention.

 

Is this affecting your speech?
Pharmacist

 

Go to the emergency room or call your doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Motion sickness does not affect the speech.

ER

 

Is this making you experience shortness of breath?
Pharmacist

 

Go to the emergency room or urgent care.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Motion sickness does not cause shortness of breath.

Nearest Clinic

 

Any fever with this dizziness?
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Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • May not be looking at motion sickness. Seek urgent care.

Nearest Clinic

 


We had to make sure we are looking at motion sickness.
Pharmacist

Let's continue and see what we are dealing with.

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Motion sickness

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Are you experiencing some kind of abdominal discomfort?
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Yes?

 

Are you feeling nauseated or even vomiting?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • May not be looking at motion sickness
  • You should be feeling nauseated.

Nearest Clinic

 

Did this start with you yawning?

Or salivating?
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Yes?

 

Before the nausea started, were you sweating profusely?

Or hyperventilating?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Are you also feeling dizzy?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a major symptom of motion sickness.
Pharmacist

It usually involve:

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Feeling dizzy.

 

Are you experiencing any headache?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This can be a symptom of motion sickness.
Pharmacist

Motion sickness usually involve:

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Some headache.

 

Do you feel weak and tired?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Are you having difficulty with concentration?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is also a sign of motion sickness.
Pharmacist

Symptoms include:

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Some headache
  • Weakness
  • difficulty concentrating.

 

Certain things can increase your risk of developing motion sickness or increase the severity altogether.
Pharmacist

Let's take a look at those things so you can avoid them in the future.

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Motion sickness

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Be aware.

Take preventive measures before exposure to what might cause motion sickness.
Pharmacist

Once symptoms start, all you can do is manage it. For instance, if you are vomiting, take anti vomiting medication and so on.

Certain things can trigger it or make it worse. Let's see what these might be.

 

Are you in an area with smoke or fumes?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This can trigger motion sickness symtoms or make it worse.
Pharmacist

Seek well ventilated areas.

 

Do you have fear of flying or sailing?
Pharmacist

 

Call your doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • You will need some anti-anxiety medications before you engage in these activities.

Urgent Care

 

If a female, do you use hormonal contraceptives?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Let your doctor know about your motion sickness issues.
Pharmacist

 

Do you like to read while traveling?
Pharmacist

 

You do?
You may have to stop do this. This can make it worse or trigger it.
Pharmacist

 

Do you like to drink alcoholic beverages during or before traveling?
Pharmacist

Some people might do this with the belief that it would help calm them down.

 

OK.
Alcohol can increase the likelihood of motion sickness.
Pharmacist

 

What about overeating before or while traveling?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This can increase the likelihood of you developing motion sickness.
Pharmacist
Stay with small amounts of food, like crackers or drink ginger ale.
If possible avoid food or fluids altogether while traveling.

 


Many things can increase the likelihood of motion sickness.
Pharmacist

You should always have an idea what triggers it for you and take medications to prevent it or use other preventive measures before the symptoms start.

For instance, you should minimize your exposure when traveling by reducing the discrepancy between what you are seeing as motion and what your brain is thinking is motion.
If traveling on a ship, look at the horizon. If in a car, seat in the front seat. Avoid areas with little ventilation.

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend you take over-the-counter to help with this motion sickness or do you want to seek urgent care for this?

Urgent Care Continue