Take Medicine Before You Leave

Sun., Aug. 9, 1998

Once you’re on the road, in the air or out at sea, it’s too late to take your motion sickness medicine, doctors say.

“One of the side effects of motion sickness is decreased absorption in the stomach,” says Dr. Wayne J. Riley, director of the Travel Medicine Service at Baylor College of Medicine. “So oral drugs taken after the onset of symptoms are usually not very effective.”

Motion sickness can cause vomiting, paleness, cold sweats, hyperventilation and headaches.

Riley says over-the-counter antihistamines can help reduce the discomfort of motion sickness if taken two hours before traveling. Medicated patches containing scopolumine can prevent motion sickness if applied behind the ear eight hours before travel. The patches are available by prescription only.

If you are susceptible to motion sickness, Riley advises that you avoid eating heavy meals for at least two hours before traveling and then eat light, easily digestible foods, such as crackers, bread and canned fruit.

Also, don’t read in the car or on a plane, train or boat when it’s in motion.

When traveling long distances by car, he suggests, sit in the front seat and focus your eyes on the horizon. This stable reference can help minimize the effect of changes in the inner ear, which controls the sense of balance and plays a role in motion sickness.

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