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Motion Sickness

Cdc yellow book 2024.

Author(s): Ashley Brown

Motion sickness describes the physiologic responses to travel by air, car, sea, train, and virtual reality immersion. Given sufficient stimulus, all people with functional vestibular systems can develop motion sickness. People vary in their susceptibility, however.

Risk For Travelers

Risk factors for motion sickness include age, sex, preexisting medical conditions, and concurrent medications. Children aged 2–12 years are especially susceptible, but infants and toddlers are generally immune. Adults >50 years are less susceptible to motion sickness. Pregnancy, menstruation, and taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives have also been identified as potential risk factors. People with a history of migraines, vertigo, and vestibular disorders are more prone to motion sickness. Some prescriptions can worsen motion sickness–associated nausea.

Clinical Presentation

Motion sickness typically occurs after a triggering motion or event. People with motion sickness commonly experience dizziness; headache; nausea, vomiting, or retching; sweating. For a complete list of motion sickness–associated signs and symptoms, see Box 8-06 .

Box 8-06 Motion sickness symptoms

Anorexia Apathy Cold sweats Drowsiness Generalized discomfort Headache Hyperventilation Increased sensitivity to odors Loss of appetite Nausea Salivation, excessive Sweating Vomiting or retching Warm sensation

Neurophysiology

When sensory input does not align with expected patterns (neural mismatch), patients suffer dizziness and nausea. Sensory conflict theory (the most widely accepted explanation for motion sickness) proposes that the condition is caused by conflict between the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems, and involves complex neurophysiologic signaling between multiple nuclear regions, neurotransmitters, and receptors. Medications used to prevent and treat motion sickness are thought to work by suppressing the signals that contribute to neural mismatch.

Nonpharmacologic Prevention & Interventions

Travelers can use nonpharmacologic interventions to prevent or treat motion sickness (see  Box 8-07 ). Awareness and avoidance of situations that tend to trigger symptoms are the primary defenses against motion sickness.

Box 8-07 Non-pharmacologic prevention & interventions for motion sickness: a checklist for travelers

☐ Be aware. Try to avoid situations that tend to trigger your symptoms. ☐ Optimize your position to reduce motion or motion perception (e.g., drive a vehicle instead of riding in it; sit in the front seat of a car or bus; sit over the wing of an aircraft; hold your head firmly against the back of the seat; choose a window seat on flights and trains). ☐ Reduce sensory input. Lie face down, shut your eyes, try sleeping, look at the horizon. ☐ Maintain hydration by drinking water, eating small meals frequently, and limiting alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. ☐ Get plenty of sleep or rest. Being sleep-deprived can worsen motion sickness symptoms. ☐ Avoid smoking. Quitting (even short-term) reduces susceptibility to motion sickness. ☐ Try using distractions. Controlled breathing, listening to music, or using aromatherapy scents like mint, lavender, or ginger. Flavored lozenges also might help. ☐ Some people recommend using acupressure or magnets to prevent or treat nausea, although scientific data are lacking on how effective these interventions are for preventing motion sickness. ☐ Gradually expose yourself to continuous or repeated motion sickness triggers. Most people, in time, notice a reduction in motion sickness symptoms.

Medications used to treat motion sickness can vary in effectiveness and side effects; suggest travelers take a trial dose of medication at home before departure to find what works best for them. The most frequently used antihistamines to treat motion sickness include cyclizine, dimenhydrinate, meclizine, and promethazine (oral and suppository); nonsedating antihistamines appear to be less effective. Other commonly used motion sickness medications include anticholinergics (e.g., scopolamine [hyoscine, oral and transdermal]); benzodiazepines; dopamine receptor antagonists (e.g., metoclopramide, prochlorperazine); and sympathomimetics (often used in combination with antihistamines).

Complementary approaches with anecdotal evidence of effectiveness for preventing or treating motion sickness (e.g., acupressure and magnets, ginger, homeopathic remedies, pyridoxine [vitamin B6]) might be effective for individual travelers but cannot generally be recommended (see Sec. 2, Ch. 14, Complementary & Integrative Health Approaches to Travel Wellness ). Clinical trials have shown that ondansetron, a commonly used antiemetic, is ineffective in preventing nausea associated with motion sickness.

Children & Motion Sickness

For children aged 2–12 years, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), 1–1.5 mg/kg per dose, or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), 0.5–1 mg/kg per dose up to 25 mg, can be given 1 hour before travel and every 6 hours during the trip. Because some children have paradoxical agitation with these medications, encourage parents to try a test dose before departure. Oversedating young children with antihistamines can be life-threatening. Scopolamine can cause dangerous adverse effects in children and should not be used.

The following authors contributed to the previous version of this chapter: Stefanie K. Erskine

Bibliography

Golding JF, Gresty MA. Pathophysiology and treatment of motion sickness. Curr Opin Neurol. 2015;28(1):83–8. 

Leung AK, Hon KL. Motion sickness: an overview. Drugs Context. 2019;8:2019-9-4. 

Priesol AJ. Motion sickness. Deschler DG, editor. Waltham (MA): UpToDate; 2021. Available from:  www.uptodate.com/contents/motion-sickness . 

Schmäl F. Neuronal mechanisms and the treatment of motion sickness. Pharmacology. 2013;91(3-4):229–41. 

Zhang L, Wang J, Qi R, Pan L, Li M, Cai Y. Motion sickness: current knowledge and recent advance. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016;22(1):15–24.

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Motion Sickness Travel Sickness

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Motion sickness (travel sickness) is common, especially in children. It is caused by repeated unusual movements during travelling, which send strong (sometimes confusing) signals to the balance and position sensors in the brain.

Motion Sickness

Travel sickness, in this article, what causes motion sickness, how long does motion sickness last, motion sickness symptoms, how to stop motion sickness, natural treatments for motion sickness, motion sickness medicines, what can a doctor prescribe for motion sickness.

• What should I do if I'm actually sick?

What is mal de debarquement syndrome?

Motion sickness is a normal response to repeated movements, such as going over bumps or around in a circle, send lots of messages to your brain. If you are inside a vehicle, particularly if you are focused on things that are inside the vehicle with you then the signals that your eyes send to the brain may tell it that your position is not changing, whilst your balance mechanisms say otherwise.

Your balance mechanisms in your inner ears sense different signals to those that your eyes are seeing which then sends your brain mixed, confusing messages. This confusion between messages then causes people to experience motion sickness.

Is motion sickness normal?

Motion sickness is a normal response that anyone can have when experiencing real or perceived motion. Although all people can develop motion sickness if exposed to sufficiently intense motion, some people are rarely affected while other people are more susceptible and have to deal with motion sickness very often.

Triggers for motion sickness

Motion sickness can also be triggered by anxiety or strong smells, such as food or petrol. Sometimes trying to read a book or a map can trigger motion sickness. Both in children and adults, playing computer games can sometimes cause motion sickness to occur.

Motion sickness is more common in children and also in women. Fortunately, many children grow out of having motion sickness. It is not known why some people develop motion sickness more than others. Symptoms can develop in cars, trains, planes and boats and on amusement park rides, etc.

Symptoms typically go when the journey is over; however, not always. In some people they last a few hours, or even days, after the journey ends.

There are various symptoms of motion sickness including::

• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting).
• Sweating and cold sweats.
• Increase in saliva.
• Headaches .
• Feeling cold and going pale.
• Feeling weak.

Some general tips to avoid motion sickness include the following.

Prepare for your journey

• Don't eat a heavy meal before travelling. Light, carbohydrate-based food like cereals an hour or two before you travel is best.
• On long journeys, try breaking the journey to have some fresh air, drink some cold water and, if possible, take a short walk.

For more in-depth advice on travelling generally, see the separate leaflets called Health Advice for Travel Abroad , Travelling to Remote Locations , Ears and Flying (Aeroplane Ear) , Jet Lag and Altitude Sickness .

Plan where you sit

• Keep motion to a minimum. For example, sit in the front seat of a car, over the wing of a plane, or on deck in the middle of a boat.
• On a boat, stay on deck and avoid the cafeteria or sitting where your can smell the engines.

Breathe fresh air

• Breathe fresh air if possible. For example, open a car window.
• Avoid strong smells, particularly petrol and diesel fumes. This may mean closing the window and turning on the air conditioning, or avoiding the engine area in a boat.

Use your eyes and ears differently

• Close your eyes (and keep them closed for the whole journey). This reduces 'positional' signals from your eyes to your brain and reduces the confusion.
• Don't try to read.
• Try listening to an audio book with your eyes closed. There is some evidence that distracting your brain with audio signals can reduce your sensitivity to the motion signals.
• Try to sleep - this works mainly because your eyes are closed, but it is possible that your brain is able to ignore some motion signals when you are asleep.
• Do not read or watch a film.
• It is advisable not to watch moving objects such as waves or other cars. Don't look at things your brain expects to stay still, like a book inside the car. Instead, look ahead, a little above the horizon, at a fixed place.
• If you are the driver you are less likely to feel motion sickness. This is probably because you are constantly focused on the road ahead and attuned to the movements that you expect the vehicle to make. If you are not, or can't be, the driver, sitting in the front and watching what the driver is watching can be helpful.

Treat your tummy gently

• Avoid heavy meals and do not drink alcohol before and during travelling. It may also be worth avoiding spicy or fatty food.
• Try to 'tame your tummy' with sips of a cold water or a sweet, fizzy drink. Cola or ginger ale are recommended.

Try alternative treatments

• Sea-Bands® are acupressure bands that you wear on your wrists to put pressure on acupressure points that Chinese medicine suggests affects motion sickness. Some people find that they are effective.
• Homeopathic medicines seem to help some people, and will not make you drowsy. The usual homeopathic remedy is called 'nux vom'. Follow the instructions on the packet.

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All the techniques above which aim to prevent motion sickness will also help reduce it once it has begun. Other techniques, which are useful on their own to treat motion sickness but can also be used with medicines if required, are:

• Breathe deeply and slowly and, while focusing on your breathing, listening to music. This has been proved to be effective in clinical trials.
• Ginger - can improve motion sickness in some people (as a biscuit or sweet, or in a drink).

There are several motion sickness medicines available which can reduce, or prevent, symptoms of motion sickness. You can buy them from pharmacies or, in some cases, get them on prescription. They work by interfering with the nerve signals described above.

Medicines are best taken before the journey. They may still help even if you take them after symptoms have begun, although once you feel sick you won't absorb medicines from the stomach very well. So, at this point, tablets that you put against your gums, or skin patches, are more likely to be effective.

Hyoscine is usually the most effective medicine for motion sickness . It is also known as scopolamine. It works by preventing the confusing nerve messages going to your brain.

There are several brands of medicines which contain hyoscine - they also come in a soluble form for children. You should take a dose 30-60 minutes before a journey; the effect can last up to 72 hours. Hyoscine comes as a patch for people aged 10 years or over. (This is only available on prescription - see below.) Side-effects of hyoscine include dry mouth , drowsiness and blurred vision.

Side-effects of motion sickness medicines

Some medicines used for motion sickness may cause drowsiness. Some people are extremely sensitive to this and may find that they are so drowsy that they can't function properly at all. For others the effects may be milder but can still impair your reactions and alertness. It is therefore advisable not to drive and not to operate heavy machinery if you have taken them. In addition, some medicines may interfere with alcohol or other medication; your doctor or the pharmacist can advise you about this.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines can also be useful , although they are not quite as effective as hyoscine. However, they usually cause fewer side-effects. Several types of antihistamine are sold for motion sickness. All can cause drowsiness, although some are more prone to cause it than others; for example, promethazine , which may be of use for young children on long journeys, particularly tends to cause drowsiness. Older children or adults may prefer one that is less likely to cause drowsiness - for example, cinnarizine or cyclizine.

Remember, if you give children medicines which cause drowsiness they can sometimes be irritable when the medicines wear off.

See the separate article called How to manage motion sickness .

There are a number of anti-sickness medicines which can only be prescribed by your doctor. Not all of them always work well for motion sickness, and finding something that works may be a case of trial and error. All of them work best taken up to an hour before your journey, and work less well if used when you already feel sick. See also the separate leaflet called Nausea (Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment) for more detailed information about these medicines .

Hyoscine patch

Hyoscine, or scopolamine, patches are suitable for adults and for children over 10 years old. The medicine is absorbed through your skin, although this method of medicine delivery is slow so the patch works best if applied well before your journey.

You should stick the patch on to the skin behind the ear 5-6 hours before travelling (often this will mean late on the previous night) and remove it at the end of the journey.

Prochlorperazine

Prochlorperazine is a prescription-only medicine which works by changing the actions of the chemicals that control the tendency to be sick (vomit), in your brain. One form of prochlorperazine is Buccastem®, which is absorbed through your gums and does not need to be swallowed. Buccastem® tastes rather bitter but it can be effective for sickness when you are already feeling sick, as it doesn't have to be absorbed by the stomach.

Metoclopramide

Metoclopramide is a tablet used to speed up the emptying of your tummy. Slow emptying of the tummy is something that happens when you develop nausea and vomiting, so metoclopramide can help prevent this. It prevents nausea and vomiting quite effectively in some people. It can occasionally have unpleasant side-effects, particularly in children (in whom it is not recommended). Metoclopramide is often helpful for those who tend to have gastric reflux, those who have slow tummy emptying because of previous surgery, and those who have type 1 diabetes. Your GP will advise whether metoclopramide is suitable for you.

Domperidone

Domperidone , like metoclopramide, is sometimes used for sickness caused by slow tummy emptying. It is not usually recommended for motion sickness but is occasionally used if other treatments don't help. Domperidone is not a legal medicine in some countries, including the USA.

Ondansetron

Ondansetron is a powerful antisickness medicine which is most commonly used for sickness caused by chemotherapy, and occasionally used for morning sickness in pregnancy. It is not usually effective for motion sickness. This, and its relatively high cost means that it is not prescribed for motion sickness alone. However, for those undergoing chemotherapy, and for those who have morning sickness aggravated by travel, ondansetron may be helpful.

What should I do if I'm actually sick?

If you're actually sick you may find that this relieves your symptoms a little, although not always for very long. If you've been sick:

• Try a cool flannel on your forehead, try to get fresh air on your face and do your best to find a way to rinse your mouth to get rid of the taste.
• Don't drink anything for ten to twenty minutes (or it may come straight back), although (very) tiny sips of very cold water, coke or ginger ale may help.
• After this, go back to taking all the prevention measures above.
• Once you reach your destination you may continue to feel unwell. Sleep if you can, sip cold iced water, and - when you feel ready - try some small carbohydrate snacks. Avoid watching TV (more moving objects to watch!) until you feel a little better.

The sensation called 'mal de debarquement' (French for sickness on disembarking) refers to the sensation you sometimes get after travel on a boat, train or plane, when you feel for a while as though the ground is rocking beneath your feet. It is probably caused by the overstimulation of the balance organs during your journey. It usually lasts only an hour or two, but in some people it can last for several days, particularly after a long sea journey. It does not usually require any treatment.

Persistent mal de debarquement syndrome is an uncommon condition in which these symptoms may persist for months or years.

Dr Mary Lowth is an author or the original author of this leaflet.

Altitude Sickness

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Further reading and references

Leung AK, Hon KL ; Motion sickness: an overview. Drugs Context. 2019 Dec 138:2019-9-4. doi: 10.7573/dic.2019-9-4. eCollection 2019.

Spinks A, Wasiak J ; Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jun 15(6):CD002851.

Zhang LL, Wang JQ, Qi RR, et al ; Motion Sickness: Current Knowledge and Recent Advance. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016 Jan22(1):15-24. doi: 10.1111/cns.12468. Epub 2015 Oct 9.

Lackner JR ; Motion sickness: more than nausea and vomiting. Exp Brain Res. 2014 Aug232(8):2493-510. doi: 10.1007/s00221-014-4008-8. Epub 2014 Jun 25.

Van Ombergen A, Van Rompaey V, Maes LK, et al ; Mal de debarquement syndrome: a systematic review. J Neurol. 2016 May263(5):843-854. doi: 10.1007/s00415-015-7962-6. Epub 2015 Nov 11.

Related Information

• Hyoscine for travel sickness (Joy Rides, Kwells, Scopoderm)
• Scopolamine skin patch for nausea (Transderm Scop)
• Nausea Medicine
• Cyclizine for sickness (nausea)
• Promethazine (Avomine, Phenergan, Sominex)

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Motion Sickness

What is motion sickness, what causes motion sickness, what are the symptoms of motion sickness, how do doctors prevent and treat motion sickness.

Motion sickness is feeling dizzy or sick to your stomach because you're moving or watching something move.

Motion sickness is a common problem

You feel sick to your stomach and dizzy, and you may throw up

You slowly start to feel better after the movement stops

Doctors can give you medicine to treat severe motion sickness

Almost everyone traveling on a boat in rough water gets motion sickness. Motion sickness on a boat is called sea sickness. Some people get motion sickness in a car or airplane. Motion sickness is more likely when a vehicle swerves a lot. For example, people who don't get motion sickness on a passenger airplane might get sick riding in a stunt plane.

You can also get motion sickness while not moving. For example, you may get motion sickness when you're playing a video game or watching an action scene in a 3D movie.

The main symptom of motion sickness is:

Feeling like you want to throw up (nausea)

The nausea can be very bad. Most people are miserable. Often you throw up. Even if you do, the nausea doesn't go away.

Other symptoms you might have are:

Extra spit in your mouth

After motion sickness begins, it usually doesn't start getting better until you stop moving. But, most people who are on a boat for a long trip feel better a few days into the trip when they get used to being on the boat, but some people feel seasick for several days. After people work on boats or airplanes for a while, they rarely get motion sickness.

Doctors recommend the same things to prevent and treat motion sickness. It's easier to prevent motion sickness than to treat it after it starts.

To help prevent and treat mild motion sickness:

Keep looking forward and keep your eyes fixed on something in the distance

Keep your head and body as still as possible

Sit where you’ll feel the least motion, such as the front seat of a car, the middle of a ship close to water level, or over the wings of an airplane

Eat small, low-fat, bland meals

Get some fresh air

Don’t read while traveling

Don’t smoke or drink alcohol before traveling

If you get bad motion sickness, your doctor may have you take medicine before you travel. Doctors use the same medicines after motion sickness starts. There are several different kinds of pills you can take, as well as a patch you stick on behind your ear. You can buy most of the pills without a prescription. Pills for motion sickness include:

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

You'll need a prescription for the patch. If you're vomiting a lot, doctors may give you a prescription medicine to help with your nausea.

You may get motion sickness less often over time. Your body may adjust on a long trip.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

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• IN THIS TOPIC

Motion sickness

Motion sickness is feeling dizzy, or feeling or being sick when travelling by car, boat, plane or train. You can do things to prevent it or relieve the symptoms.

Check if you have motion sickness

Symptoms of motion sickness may include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• feeling cold and going pale

How to ease motion sickness yourself

Do reduce motion – sit in the front of a car or in the middle of a boat look straight ahead at a fixed point, such as the horizon breathe fresh air if possible – for example, by opening a car window close your eyes and breathe slowly while focusing on your breathing distract children by talking, listening to music or singing songs break up long journeys to get some fresh air, drink water or take a walk try ginger, which you can take as a tablet, biscuit or tea don’t.

do not read, watch films or use electronic devices

do not look at moving objects, such as passing cars or rolling waves

do not eat heavy meals, spicy foods or drink alcohol shortly before or during travel

do not go on fairground rides if they make you feel unwell

A pharmacist can help with motion sickness

You can buy remedies from pharmacies to help prevent motion sickness, including:

• tablets – dissolvable tablets are available for children
• patches – can be used by adults and children over 10
• acupressure bands – these do not work for everyone

A pharmacist will be able to recommend the best treatment for you or your child.

Causes of motion sickness

Motion sickness is caused by repeated movements when travelling, like going over bumps in a car or moving up and down in a boat, plane or train.

The inner ear sends different signals to your brain from those your eyes are seeing. These confusing messages cause you to feel unwell.

Page last reviewed: 19 June 2023 Next review due: 19 June 2026

Sharing health evidence you can trust

Treatments to prevent travel sickness: a quick look

In this short blog, Dr Robert Walton looks at the evidence on treatments to prevent travel sickness (motion sickness).

Take-home points

The new evidence on antihistamines comes from the Cochrane Review Antihistamines for motion sickness (published in October 2022) and is relevant to adults.

Travel sickness (motion sickness) is a common problem, and many people experience nausea for example on boats, planes or in the car. Lots of treatments which aim to prevent travel sickness are available to buy in UK pharmacies, including medicines. Here is the evidence on these medicines and some things you may want to think about when making your choices.

Making a choice? Think BRAIN!

It can be helpful to think BRAIN : What are the B enefits, R isks, A lternatives, what do I want and what if I do N othing? These can be good questions to talk about with a health professional when making a health decision.

Medicines to prevent travel sickness

The choice is between hyoscine (or scopolamine as it is sometimes called) and antihistamines such as cinnarizine.

Most of the Cochrane evidence Cochrane Reviews are systematic reviews. In systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. is focused on hyoscine which is probably better than placebo An intervention that appears to be the same as that which is being assessed but does not have the active component. For example, a placebo could be a tablet made of sugar, compared with a tablet containing a medicine. (dummy treatment Something done with the aim of improving health or relieving suffering. For example, medicines, surgery, psychological and physical therapies, diet and exercise changes. ) at preventing travel sickness.  It comes from the Cochrane Review Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sicknes s (published June 2011).

The new Cochrane evidence about antihistamines, from the Cochrane Review Antihistamines for motion sickness (published October 2022) finds that they are likely to reduce the risk A way of expressing the chance of an event taking place, expressed as the number of events divided by the total number of observations or people. It can be stated as ‘the chance of falling were one in four’ (1/4 = 25%). This measure is good no matter the incidence of events i.e. common or infrequent. of travel sickness in adults who tend to get it, compared with taking a placebo.

It’s worth bearing in mind that there is evidence to support using older or ‘first generation’ antihistamines but none for the newer medicines such as loratadine and cetirizine which are more commonly used now for hay fever now.  These newer antihistamines are not used to prevent or treat motion sickness and are unlikely to be effective.

There are few studies comparing the two types of medicines.  There is little information about whether either are useful for treating motion sickness after it has started so prevention may be better than cure.

What are the risks?

Hyoscine and antihistamines both work in the same way for preventing travel sickness and they also share the same side effects which include drowsiness in some people.

What are the other options?

Many other options are available but there is no Cochrane evidence about their potential benefits and harms.

What do I want?

What matters (most) to you, and past experiences of a problem – and of treatments, is important when making treatment choices. If you usually get travel sickness and want to prevent it then there are medicines that can help and are backed up by Cochrane evidence. But it may be important to you to avoid the risk of side effects (such as drowsiness, if you have to drive for example). You could discuss your options and experience of treatments with a pharmacist.

What if I do nothing?

Travel sickness is usually not usually a big problem although some people can be quite severely affected.  If you have had it once in a particular situation then you are likely to get it again.

Find out more

NHS pages on motion sickness

The Cochrane Reviews Cochrane Reviews are systematic reviews. In systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. :

Karrim N, Byrne R, Magula N, Saman Y. Antihistamines for motion sickness. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews In systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. 2022, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD012715. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012715.pub2.

Spinks A, Wasiak J. Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD002851. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002851.pub4.

Why you can trust this information

Join in the conversation on Twitter with  @CochraneUK   @rtwalton123  or leave a comment on the blog. 

Please note, we cannot give specific medical advice and do not publish comments that link to individual pages requesting donations or to commercial sites, or appear to endorse commercial products. We welcome diverse views and encourage discussion but we ask that comments are respectful and reserve the right to not publish any we consider offensive. Cochrane UK does not fact-check – or endorse – readers’ comments, including any treatments mentioned.

Robert Walton has nothing to disclose.

About Robert Walton

Robert Walton is a Cochrane UK Senior Fellow in General Practice. Robert qualified in medicine in London in 1983, having taken an intercalated degree in human pharmacology and immunology. He trained at St Georges Hospital, London and became a member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1986. His work applying computerised decision support to prescribing drugs in the Department of Public Health and Primary care in Oxford led to a doctoral thesis in 1998. Robert was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1999 and the Royal College of Physicians in 2001. He became a Senior Investigator in the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in 2016. Robert is Clinical Professor of Primary Medical Care at Queen Mary and was joint lead of the NIHR Research Design Service east London team. His research interests are in primary care, genetics, clinical trials and personalised medicine. Robert led a five-year NIHR funded programme developing a novel training intervention to promote smoking cessation in pharmacies in east London which included a substantive Cochrane review and meta analysis on behaviour change interventions in community pharmacies and a large scale cluster-randomised clinical trial. His research team is also developing a smartphone game to promote smoking cessation and researching a personalised/stratified medicine approach to tobacco dependence using computerised decision support. He sat on the NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research sub panel A and worked as an evaluator for the European Union Horizon 2020 programmes Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases and New Therapies for Rare Diseases and as a monitor for EU projects. Robert contributes to UK national guidance, and has served on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Outcome Indicator and Technology Appraisals Committees.

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1 Comments on this post

Dr. Walton, thank you for sharing your review. For children and those children with epilepsy, I have looked at their sensory processing to help prevent some of their motion sickness. There is a book “Understanding your Child’s Sensory Signals” by Angie Voss, OTR that helps families. I can also share with you my poster from the British Paediatric Neurology Association event in 2020 titled ” What are the perspectives and understanding of healthcare professionals including occupational therapists on treatment and care of babies with infantile spasms and early onset epilepsy- A qualitative design” if I have your email address.

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Evidently Cochrane

• Patient Care & Health Information
• Diseases & Conditions
• Traveler's diarrhea

Gastrointestinal tract

Your digestive tract stretches from your mouth to your anus. It includes the organs necessary to digest food, absorb nutrients and process waste.

Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and stomach cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually isn't serious in most people — it's just unpleasant.

When you visit a place where the climate or sanitary practices are different from yours at home, you have an increased risk of developing traveler's diarrhea.

To reduce your risk of traveler's diarrhea, be careful about what you eat and drink while traveling. If you do develop traveler's diarrhea, chances are it will go away without treatment. However, it's a good idea to have doctor-approved medicines with you when you travel to high-risk areas. This way, you'll be prepared in case diarrhea gets severe or won't go away.

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Traveler's diarrhea may begin suddenly during your trip or shortly after you return home. Most people improve within 1 to 2 days without treatment and recover completely within a week. However, you can have multiple episodes of traveler's diarrhea during one trip.

The most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea are:

• Suddenly passing three or more looser watery stools a day.
• An urgent need to pass stool.
• Stomach cramps.

Sometimes, people experience moderate to severe dehydration, ongoing vomiting, a high fever, bloody stools, or severe pain in the belly or rectum. If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms or if the diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, it's time to see a health care professional.

When to see a doctor

Traveler's diarrhea usually goes away on its own within several days. Symptoms may last longer and be more severe if it's caused by certain bacteria or parasites. In such cases, you may need prescription medicines to help you get better.

If you're an adult, see your doctor if:

• Your diarrhea lasts beyond two days.
• You become dehydrated.
• You have severe stomach or rectal pain.
• You have bloody or black stools.
• You have a fever above 102 F (39 C).

While traveling internationally, a local embassy or consulate may be able to help you find a well-regarded medical professional who speaks your language.

Be especially cautious with children because traveler's diarrhea can cause severe dehydration in a short time. Call a doctor if your child is sick and has any of the following symptoms:

• Ongoing vomiting.
• A fever of 102 F (39 C) or more.
• Bloody stools or severe diarrhea.
• Dry mouth or crying without tears.
• Signs of being unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive.
• Decreased volume of urine, including fewer wet diapers in infants.

It's possible that traveler's diarrhea may stem from the stress of traveling or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents — such as bacteria, viruses or parasites — are to blame. You typically develop traveler's diarrhea after ingesting food or water contaminated with organisms from feces.

So why aren't natives of high-risk countries affected in the same way? Often their bodies have become used to the bacteria and have developed immunity to them.

Risk factors

Each year millions of international travelers experience traveler's diarrhea. High-risk destinations for traveler's diarrhea include areas of:

• Central America.
• South America.
• South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Traveling to Eastern Europe, South Africa, Central and East Asia, the Middle East, and a few Caribbean islands also poses some risk. However, your risk of traveler's diarrhea is generally low in Northern and Western Europe, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Your chances of getting traveler's diarrhea are mostly determined by your destination. But certain groups of people have a greater risk of developing the condition. These include:

• Young adults. The condition is slightly more common in young adult tourists. Though the reasons why aren't clear, it's possible that young adults lack acquired immunity. They may also be more adventurous than older people in their travels and dietary choices, or they may be less careful about avoiding contaminated foods.
• People with weakened immune systems. A weakened immune system due to an underlying illness or immune-suppressing medicines such as corticosteroids increases risk of infections.
• People with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe kidney, liver or heart disease. These conditions can leave you more prone to infection or increase your risk of a more-severe infection.
• People who take acid blockers or antacids. Acid in the stomach tends to destroy organisms, so a reduction in stomach acid may leave more opportunity for bacterial survival.
• People who travel during certain seasons. The risk of traveler's diarrhea varies by season in certain parts of the world. For example, risk is highest in South Asia during the hot months just before the monsoons.

Complications

Because you lose vital fluids, salts and minerals during a bout with traveler's diarrhea, you may become dehydrated, especially during the summer months. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Dehydration caused by diarrhea can cause serious complications, including organ damage, shock or coma. Symptoms of dehydration include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, or extreme weakness.

Watch what you eat

The general rule of thumb when traveling to another country is this: Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. But it's still possible to get sick even if you follow these rules.

Other tips that may help decrease your risk of getting sick include:

• Don't consume food from street vendors.
• Don't consume unpasteurized milk and dairy products, including ice cream.
• Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, fish and shellfish.
• Don't eat moist food at room temperature, such as sauces and buffet offerings.
• Eat foods that are well cooked and served hot.
• Stick to fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and from fruits you can't peel, such as grapes and berries.
• Be aware that alcohol in a drink won't keep you safe from contaminated water or ice.

Don't drink the water

When visiting high-risk areas, keep the following tips in mind:

• Don't drink unsterilized water — from tap, well or stream. If you need to consume local water, boil it for three minutes. Let the water cool naturally and store it in a clean covered container.
• Don't use locally made ice cubes or drink mixed fruit juices made with tap water.
• Beware of sliced fruit that may have been washed in contaminated water.
• Use bottled or boiled water to mix baby formula.
• Order hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, and make sure they're steaming hot.
• Feel free to drink canned or bottled drinks in their original containers — including water, carbonated beverages, beer or wine — as long as you break the seals on the containers yourself. Wipe off any can or bottle before drinking or pouring.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Don't swim in water that may be contaminated.
• Keep your mouth closed while showering.

If it's not possible to buy bottled water or boil your water, bring some means to purify water. Consider a water-filter pump with a microstrainer filter that can filter out small microorganisms.

You also can chemically disinfect water with iodine or chlorine. Iodine tends to be more effective, but is best reserved for short trips, as too much iodine can be harmful to your system. You can purchase water-disinfecting tablets containing chlorine, iodine tablets or crystals, or other disinfecting agents at camping stores and pharmacies. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.

Follow additional tips

Here are other ways to reduce your risk of traveler's diarrhea:

• Make sure dishes and utensils are clean and dry before using them.
• Wash your hands often and always before eating. If washing isn't possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands before eating.
• Seek out food items that require little handling in preparation.
• Keep children from putting things — including their dirty hands — in their mouths. If possible, keep infants from crawling on dirty floors.
• Tie a colored ribbon around the bathroom faucet to remind you not to drink — or brush your teeth with — tap water.

Other preventive measures

Public health experts generally don't recommend taking antibiotics to prevent traveler's diarrhea, because doing so can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics provide no protection against viruses and parasites, but they can give travelers a false sense of security about the risks of consuming local foods and beverages. They also can cause unpleasant side effects, such as skin rashes, skin reactions to the sun and vaginal yeast infections.

As a preventive measure, some doctors suggest taking bismuth subsalicylate, which has been shown to decrease the likelihood of diarrhea. However, don't take this medicine for longer than three weeks, and don't take it at all if you're pregnant or allergic to aspirin. Talk to your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you're taking certain medicines, such as anticoagulants.

Common harmless side effects of bismuth subsalicylate include a black-colored tongue and dark stools. In some cases, it can cause constipation, nausea and, rarely, ringing in your ears, called tinnitus.

• Feldman M, et al., eds. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 25, 2021.
• LaRocque R, et al. Travelers' diarrhea: Microbiology, epidemiology, and prevention. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 26, 2021.
• Ferri FF. Traveler diarrhea. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 28, 2023.
• Diarrhea. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea. Accessed April 27, 2023.
• Travelers' diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea. Accessed April 28, 2023.
• LaRocque R, et al. Travelers' diarrhea: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 26, 2021.
• Khanna S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 29, 2021.
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10 common travel problems (and how to solve/prevent them).

Traveling is undoubtedly exhilarating, but let’s be real—it’s not always smooth sailing. From unexpected mishaps to downright frustrating situations, we’ve all encountered our fair share of travel woes. With that in mind, here are some tried-and-true tips to help you navigate through 10 common travel problems and their solutions!

Most Common Travel Issues + Problems

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1. Getting Lost While Traveling

Whether it’s wandering aimlessly in a maze-like city or taking the wrong turn on a remote hiking trail, getting lost is practically a rite of passage for travelers. 

Sometimes, getting lost can lead to some of the most memorable experiences! Embrace the moment, ask locals for directions, use maps (both digital and paper), and consider downloading offline maps  to your phone before setting off.

2. Getting Mugged While Traveling

Safety should always be a top priority while traveling. Unfortunately, muggings can happen, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Stay vigilant, avoid flashing valuables, use discreet/theft-proof bags , and trust your instincts. It’s also wise to split your cash and keep copies of important documents in a separate location. 

Men: You should definitely think twice about wearing a nice watch if traveling to Europe (and in general) — there has been a rise in luxury watch theft lately !

In case the worst happens and you do find yourself in this situation, cooperate and prioritize your safety above all else .

Related Post:   How to Stay Safe While Traveling

3. Losing Your Phone

In today’s digital age, losing your phone can feel like losing a limb. But fret not, there’s hope! Before departing, install tracking apps and enable remote wiping features on your device, especially if you store banking info and other sensitive info on your device (as most of us do). 

Additionally, keep a physical backup of important information such as emergency contacts and reservation details. I typically bring one of my old phones with me as a back up just in case. 

4. Getting Sick in an Unfamiliar Place

Nothing puts a damper on travel plans like falling ill. To prevent sickness , stay hydrated, eat well-balanced meals, and get plenty of rest. Pack a small first-aid kit with essential medications, and consider purchasing travel insurance for added peace of mind. 

If you do fall ill, don’t hesitate to seek medical assistance or rest until you’re feeling better. Don’t make the same mistake I did in  Southeast Asia , it could have been really bad! 

5. Language Barrier

Ah, the beauty of language diversity! While it enriches our travel experiences, it can also pose challenges. To avoid issues, try learning a few basic phrases in the local language, utilize translation apps , and embrace non-verbal cues like gestures and smiles. Remember, a genuine effort to connect goes a long way!

6. Feeling Lonely

Solo travel can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not uncommon to feel lonely at times. Combat loneliness by staying in social accommodations like hostels or joining group tours and activities. Embrace opportunities to meet fellow travelers, strike up conversations with locals, and stay connected with loved ones back home. 

7. Running Out of Money

Budgeting woes can put a damper on even the most meticulously planned trips. To avoid running out of funds, create a realistic budget before departure and track your expenses along the way. Look for ways to save money , such as cooking your meals or opting for budget accommodations.

And always have a backup plan, whether it’s a stash of emergency cash or access to financial assistance.

8. Missing a Flight

Missed flights are every traveler’s nightmare, but they’re not the end of the world. Stay calm, contact your airline immediately, and inquire about alternative options.

  Travel insurance  can often cover additional expenses incurred due to missed flights, so be sure to review your policy. 

9. Travel Sickness

Motion sickness can turn even the most scenic journey into a nauseating ordeal. To combat travel sickness, sit in the front or middle of vehicles, focus on the horizon, and avoid heavy meals before travel. 

Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine can also provide relief for mild cases. And don’t forget to take breaks and get some fresh air whenever possible.

10. Losing Luggage

Arriving at your destination only to find your luggage missing is undoubtedly frustrating. To minimize the risk, pack essentials in your carry-on and use luggage tags with your contact information. And I always, always, ALWAYS have an Apple Airtag in my luggage so I can see exactly where it is at all times! 

If your luggage goes astray, file a report with the airline immediately and keep all relevant documentation. Most airlines have protocols in place to track and reunite lost luggage with its owner.

Traveling is a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows, but it’s the challenges that make the journey worthwhile. By arming yourself with knowledge, preparation, and a positive attitude, you can overcome these Common Travel Problems. 

So, embrace the adventure, stay curious, and remember that the best stories often arise from the most unexpected moments. Safe travels, fellow adventurers!

If you have a question, leave a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram ! 

Related Posts:

• How to Stay Safe While Traveling
• 12 Tips for Overcoming Anxiety While Traveling
• How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

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Travel Sickness – 36 Tried and Tested Tips to Help You

• 22 February 2024

I’ve suffered from travel sickness all my life and get sick in cars, on coaches, on planes and on boats.

Over the years I’ve tried all sorts of treatments with varying impacts. Here are all the things that I have found that help.

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Travel Sickness

Table of Contents

What is travel sickness?

Travel sickness, sometimes described as motion sickness, is a feeling of nausea and dizziness. It is caused when the brain becomes confused by receiving differing information from your eyes and your inner ear.

1. Travel Sickness – What Is It Like?

It’s pretty grim and it does take the fun out of travelling because all your attention is on trying not to be ill.

Travel sickness symptoms include;

• Nausea (feeling sick) which can lead to being sick
• Mouth watering
• Feeling hot and sweaty
• Having a headache
• Burping (often feeling like you are going to be sick)
• Feeling tired

It can come on quite quickly and be difficult to shift.

Read on for my tips on how to prevent travel sickness in the first place!

2. Can You Cure Travel Sickness?

In my experience, you can’t cure travel sickness. Children may grow out of travel experience but for adults, it is a case of managing the symptoms.

Good prevention techniques and a bit of planning will significantly reduce travel sickness symptoms.

3. How Long Does Travel Sickness Last?

Travel sickness can last longer than the time you are travelling. The fluid in your inner ear can be disturbed and this can take quite a while to settle down.

After journeys that have been long, or perhaps difficult because they have been bumpy or undulating you can feel like you are still moving even when you have stopped.

However, for most people travel sickness will stop soon after you have stopped moving.

4. How Do You Stop Travel Sickness?

You can’t stop travel sickness but you can take steps to reduce the chances of getting it and minimise any potential symptoms.

Here are my tried and tested tips and techniques for preventing and managing various types of travel sickness.

5. Reducing Car Sickness

Here are how I avoid travel sickness when travelling in a car;

• Offering to drive – this is an easy way to never get travel sick in a car but it’s not always that practical if you are travelling with others.
• Avoid getting too hot by turning the air conditioning down, pointing the air vents towards you so there is a breeze on your face, and reducing the sun on your face and head.
• Use a handheld fan to ensure you don’t get too hot.
• Opening the window to get some fresh air in the car.
• Looking out the front window and looking straight ahead as much as possible.
• Avoiding reading whether that be books, online documents or even reading messages.
• Keeping hydrated with regular sips of water – too much water can make you feel a bit sick so be careful.
• Sucking on ginger sweets keeps any early feelings of nausea at bay.

6. Reducing Sea Sickness

Here are the ways I avoid seasickness when travelling by boat/ship;

• Finding a seat that is near the centre of the boat to avoid the extremes of movement.
• Focussing on the view at the front of the boat, but avoiding looking at the front of the boat itself as seeing this going up and down against the horizon can cause sickness.
• Keeping cool by staying out of the sun and finding somewhere to sit with a cooler temperature.
• Sucking on ginger sweets to keep early feelings of nausea at bay.
• Staying outside if the boat is moving around a lot – staying in the cold open air can often prevent nausea, but a coat and hat may be needed if the weather is rough.
• Avoid moving around the boat when it is rough or bumpy.
• Check if there are likely to be any bumpy patches during your journey and planning. For example one of the Scottish ferries crosses a water channel which is always rough and bumpy. To avoid feeling ill I always go outside ahead of arriving at this water channel and come back inside once we have passed through it.
• Avoiding excessive drinking and eating. Eating and drinking too much can make any potential seasickness worse, although not eating enough can also increase feelings of seasickness. If the journey is relatively short then consider your eating plans for the day and make sure you don’t end up being hungry on the boat.
• Drinking excessive alcohol can make travel sickness worse. Ginger beer and tonic water can help minimise feelings of sickness so perhaps consider them instead of alcohol?
• Keeping a handheld fan available to help you stay cool.
• If you are travelling overnight on a ferry then I would recommend a cabin. Being able to lie down is one of the best ways to deal with seasickness.
• Consider taking ginger tablets before you travel by boat/ship. These can help manage feelings of sickness.

7. Reducing Coach Sickness

Here are my tried and tested ways to deal with coach sickness;

• Sit at the front of the coach if possible or sit towards the front of the coach, ideally ahead of the axle on the coach.
• If there is a toilet and door in the middle of the coach then the seat behind the toilet has a better view out of the window. This seat can have less legroom sometimes so beware. If the toilet is being used on the coach then this may not be a good option because over time the toilet can smell which can increase the chances of sickness.
• Sit in the middle of the back seat on the coach. This seat has a view right down the aisle of the coach and this can often help with coach sickness. However, if the coach is travelling along a twisty or bumpy route then sitting at the rear of the coach can be extremely bumpy so is likely to make you feel worse. Also, beware that sometimes the engine is at the back of the coach and this can make it warmer or noisier.
• Sit in an aisle seat as it is easier to see out towards the front of the coach rather than looking out of the side windows.
• Keep cool by using the air vents which should be located overhead. If the temperature is too hot then tell the guide/driver so they can adjust this. If air is not circulating around the coach very well it can help if everyone has their air vents open and they can point them at the window if they don’t want air blowing on them directly.
• Have a handheld fan so that you can keep yourself cooler.
• Avoid sitting in the sun on the coach.
• Have layers so you can adjust between the temperatures inside and outside of the coach.
• Sucking on ginger sweets can help keep early feelings of nausea at bay.
• Consider taking ginger tablets, especially if travelling on twisty or bumpy roads, as these can help. If you are unsure about road conditions check with your driver or guide – they will be happy to help.
• Keep some headphones with you. Having headphones in can help reduce feelings of sickness.
• Avoid reading if it is likely to make you feel sick – this includes books and being online.
• Watching something on a tablet like a TV show or a film can often help with travel sickness by helping you to avoid the moving horizon or the view out of the side window.
• Avoid alcohol and eating too much as this can make feelings of travel sickness much worse.

8. Things That Have Helped Me

Ginger sweets.

These ginger sweets are the best I have found. They are travel sweets so they won’t all stick together and they are not too strong. If ginger sweets are too strong they can make you feel quite sick which is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve.

Ideal for helping minimise low-level travel sickness symptoms. A pleasant ginger taste that isn’t overpowering.

Rechargeable Travel Fan

This fan might look tiny but it certainly puts out a pleasant breeze and it can operate for quite a long time on one charge. It’s very small and compact. It can easily be tucked into the seat back in front of you or easily held in your hand. It charges using a USB cable.

Super quiet, tiny, powerful and rechargeable. This travel fan will help keep you cool and you can easily take it anywhere.

This is on my list for my next trip to somewhere that is likely to be a bit warmer and sunnier. It’s a rechargeable fan that blows air into your face and also around your neck. It’s £23.99 but if it is as good as it looks then it is well worth it! It’s got great reviews and it also seems to help well with hot flushes too.

Ginger Tablets

These ginger tablets are strong, but not so strong that you leave you getting ginger flavoured indigestion all day long. They are Vegan society approved and £5.99 for 90 tablets. They are also available for Prime Delivery.

These ginger tablets are great at preventing travel sickness. They don’t have any side effects either.

Travel Sickness Patches

I haven’t tried these yet but have just ordered some. They have good reviews and look to give relief from travel sickness without any side effects.

There are very reasonably priced wireless earbuds. They help me with travel sickness.

Silicone Ear Plugs

These silicone ear plugs fit over the ear rather than in the ear. They are much better for all night use and there is no risk of damage to the ear canal. I take them every time I stay in a hotel!

Travel Sickness FAQs

How do you stop travel sickness?

Medication can stop travel sickness. Some medications can cause drowsiness. There are various other options including ginger tablets, sweets, fans, wristbands, patches and headphones.

How long does travel sickness last?

You can experience travel sickness symptoms for up to 4 hours after you have stopped moving.

Travel Sickness Tablets

Many people I have travelled with over the years have tried travel sickness tablets. However, the vast majority have advised that they often feel as bad or sometimes worse when taking these tablets.

They have given my guests a low level of nausea which has affected their enjoyment of their day and this nausea has often continued after we stopped travelling.

Travel Sickness Bands

Often people will wear travel bands. These wristbands use acupressure and are worn around the wrists. Some people swear by these and some people report no effect at all.

At £3 for 2 pairs, they are probably worth a try if you haven’t done so already.

These travel bands come with full instructions to help you position them correctly on your wrist. They are also available for Prime Delivery.

Travel Sickness – NHS Help and Information

If you want to know more about travel sickness (motion sickness) then check out the NHS website. This gives more information on symptoms and treatment, plus medicines available for severe sickness.

Further Reading

If you have found my Travel Sickness article helpful you might like my tips if you suffer from a fear of flying as well.

You might also like some tips for other things to help you travel more comfortably – check out my Travel Essentials page.

If you have trouble sleeping when travelling then check out my Sleep App for Travelling (and just great for travellers when not travelling too!)

Other Articles

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Motion sickness

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• Motion sickness is also known as travel sickness, car sickness or sea sickness.
• If you have motion sickness, you are likely to have nausea and may vomit and feel clammy.
• You can help prevent motion sickness by looking outside of the vehicle or focusing on the horizon.
• Symptoms usually end once the motion stops.
• You can try travel sickness treatments to help prevent motion sickness.

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness is feeling unwell when moving on any type of transport. It is also known as ‘travel sickness’, 'car sickness' or 'sea sickness'. It is a normal response to certain types of movement.

There are a few ways to prevent and manage motion sickness.

What are the symptoms of motion sickness?

Nausea is the main symptom of motion sickness. But you might also experience other symptoms, including:

• vomiting or retching
• cold sweating
• lack of appetite
• dry mouth or excess saliva
• increased sensitivity to smell

If you are prone to motion sickness, you may quickly feel sick if you read a book or look at your phone when in a moving vehicle.

You might feel better after vomiting, and symptoms will generally improve once you stop moving. But you can also feel the after-effects of motion sickness for a few hours or a few days before fully recovering.

What causes motion sickness?

Motion sickness is thought to be caused by your senses being confused when what you see is different to the signals felt by your inner ear balance system .

If you are feeling anxious about travel, this can make motion sickness worse.

You can get motion sick when:

• travelling by car, bus, boat, train or aeroplane
• on amusement park rides
• playing virtual reality video games or simulations

Motion sickness is a common problem. It is most frequent in children aged between 2 and 12 years. If other family members get motion sickness, it is more likely that you will too.

If you already have a condition that causes nausea, such as morning sickness or migraines , you may be more likely to experience motion sickness.

How is motion sickness diagnosed?

You don’t need to see a doctor or get any tests for a diagnosis of motion sickness. There is a pattern of feeling unwell during travel or movement, so you will probably know if you have it.

If you often feel dizzy or nauseous at other times too, discuss this with your doctor.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is motion sickness treated and prevented?

Practical tips.

Here are some tips for preventing motion sickness:

• Look out of the window, and focus on the horizon instead of looking at a book or a screen.
• Try to sit or lie still and rest your head on a pillow or headrest.
• Sit close to the front of a car, bus or train.
• If flying, sit still and close your eyes during take-off and landing.
• Listen to music and breathe mindfully .
• Open the window or air vent for fresh air.
• Eat lightly before and during the trip and avoid alcohol. Sip water instead.

Pressure bands worn on your wrists may help prevent motion sickness in some people.

If you are travelling by sea, after a few days of exposure to the motion you will likely adapt and get used to it.

You can try taking travel sickness medicines to prevent motion sickness. These may include:

• antihistamines
• antiemetics (medications to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting)

There might be side effects, such as drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice on what to take. Getting advice is especially important:

• for children
• if you are taking other medicines
• if you are pregnant

If you are using a travel sickness medicine, you should take it about half an hour before travel. If you have motion sickness and you already feel nauseous, it is probably too late to take a medicine. Eating a few plain crackers or having a clear, fizzy drink may help.

If you or your child regularly suffer from motion sickness, make sure you have a container, plastic bags and wipes handy. Take a break for some fresh air when needed.

Resources and support

Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to prevent and treat motion sickness.

Visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for more travel health advice.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content .

Last reviewed: October 2023

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Patient Perspective

• Motion Sickness
• How to Navigate a Relapse
• Wellness Coaches
• 8 Steps to Managing Fatigue
• Avoiding Falls

Travel Strategies

• Visually Induced Dizziness – “Supermarket Syndrome”
• Controlling Your Symptoms
• Vestibular Disorder Triggers
• Coping With Tinnitus
• How to Deal with an Acute Vertigo Episode
• Dietary Considerations
• Home Safety
• Tips for Dining Out
• Tips for Attending Events
• Environmental Influences on Vestibular Disorders
• Stress Management
• Meditation and Mindfulness
• Managing Nausea, Vomiting & Poor Appetite
• Relaxation Techniques
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• Mitigating Triggers from Digital Devices
• Dentist’s Guide to the Dizzy Patient

Article Summary

Motion sickness is nausea and even vomiting caused by motion, often from riding in an airplane, automobile, or amusement park ride. Everyone has the potential to experience motion sickness, but about 10% of the overall population is more susceptible. Motion sickness is often caused by multi-axial motion and acceleration, especially if the eyes are seeing one thing while the body experiences another.

Motion sickness is the most common medical problem associated with travel.

WHAT IS MOTION SICKNESS?

Some people experience nausea and even vomiting when riding in an airplane, automobile, or amusement park ride. This is called motion sickness. Motion sickness is often caused by multi-axial motion and acceleration, especially if the eyes are seeing one thing while the body experiences another. An example of this would be if a person was sitting in the back seat of a car looking out the side window while the car accelerates down a hill and turns a corner at the same time. The sensation is often temporary, but for many it continues for a prolonged period of time, resulting in extreme discomfort and anxiety.

Early symptoms of motion sickness may include nausea, increased salivation, belching, feeling clammy (diapohoretic), hyperventilating, and a feeling of general unease. Because hyperventilation and progressive nausea are so unsettling, many people will report a feeling of impending doom that can lead to serious complications such as difficulty breathing, blood pressure drops (especially orthostatic hypotension), and even passing out (syncope). Motion sickness itself will not cause these symptoms, but can lead to a person feeling overwhelmed.

Many people experience motion sickness when riding on a boat or ship. This is called seasickness even though it is the same disorder. Motion sickness and seasickness are usually just a minor annoyance and do not signify any serious medical illness. However, some travelers are incapacitated by it, and a few even suffer symptoms for several days after the trip. In extreme instances people may develop Mal de Debarquement (MdDS) – literally, sickness of disembarkment – which can last weeks, months or even years (see VeDA’s article on MdDS).

Everyone has the potential to experience motion sickness, but some people, about 10% of the overall population, are more susceptible. Groups that have been found to be more likely to experience motion sickness include:

• Women more often than men (Pregnant women especially)
• People of Chinese descent
• Children between the ages 2 and 12 years

The Anatomy of Balance

Your sense of balance is maintained by a complex interaction of the following parts of the nervous system:

• The inner ears (also called the labyrinth), which monitor the directions of motion, such as turning or forward-backward, side-to-side, and up-and-down motions.
• The eyes , which monitor where the body is in space (i.e., upside down, right-side up, etc.) and also directions of motion.
• The skin pressure receptors such as in the seat and feet, which tell what parts of the body are down and touching the ground.
• The muscle and joint sensory receptors , which tell what parts of the body are moving.
• The central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), which processes all the bits of information from the four other systems in order to coordinate it.

Some people describe a balance problem by saying they feel dizzy, lightheaded, unsteady, or giddy. This feeling of imbalance or disequilibrium, without a sensation of turning or spinning, is sometimes due to an inner ear problem.

“Vertigo” comes from the Latin verb “to turn.” People who experience this often say that they feel like they or their surroundings are turning or spinning. Vertigo is frequently due to an inner ear problem.

Dizziness, vertigo, and motion sickness all relate to the sense of balance and equilibrium. Researchers in space and aeronautical medicine call this sense spatial orientation, because it tells the brain where the body is “in space” — what direction it is pointing, what direction it is moving, and if it is turning or standing still.

The symptoms of motion sickness and dizziness appear when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from the visual system and the vestibular system in the inner ears.

For example, suppose you are riding through a storm in an airplane and the plane is being tossed about by air turbulence. Your head is moving, triggering the hair cells in your inner ear. Your body is moving, triggering your skin and muscle receptors. But your eyes do not detect this motion because all you see is the inside of the airplane. Thus, your brain receives conflicting messages from these four systems and you might become “air sick.”

Another example is if you are sitting in the back seat of a moving car reading a book. Your inner ear and skin receptors will detect the motion of your travel, but your eyes see only the pages of your book. You could become “car sick.”

You might also suffer from dizziness, vertigo and/or nausea due to an inner ear dysfunction. Suppose you suffer inner ear damage on only one side from a head injury or an infection. The damaged inner ear does not send the same signals as the healthy ear. This gives conflicting signals to the brain about the sensation of rotation, and you could suffer a sense of spinning or vertigo, as well as nausea.

Because of the pervasive use of screen technology in Western civilization, which will often simulate motion, a new phenomenon has occurred with motion sickness when the body is not in motion and a person is viewing a screen. This has been called pseudo-motion sickness and is caused by the conflicting information between the visual and vestibular systems: the eyes are detecting motion while the vestibular system is not. The conflict causes the same symptoms as classic motion sickness.

What Can I Do for Motion Sickness?

The main cause of motion sickness is a conflict in sensory information between your visual and vestibular system, so the best means to manage symptoms are to prevent them from occurring.

Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that your body and inner ears feel, such as the front seat of a car while looking at the distant scenery. If you are on a boat you can go up on the deck and watch the motion of the horizon. When in an airplane either sit by the window of the airplane and look outside and/or choose a seat over the wings, where the motion is the least.

• Do not read while traveling if you are subject to motion sickness, and do not sit in a seat facing backward.
• Do not watch or talk to another traveler.
• Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods immediately before and during your travel.

There are a variety of medications and homeopathic treatments that have been shown to be quite effective in managing motion sickness directly as well as managing the symptoms of nausea and indigestion. Some of these include:

• Take one of the varieties of motion sickness medicines before your travel begins, as recommended by your physician. Some of these medications can be purchased without a prescription (i.e., Dramamine, Bonine, Marezine, etc.).
• Scopolomine as a tablet and/or patch worn behind the ear has regularly been shown to be effective in managing motion sickness. The main side effect of scopolomine in any form is dry mouth.
• Antihistamines have been shown to be effective. The main side effect is drowsiness.
• Stronger medicines such as tranquilizers and nervous system depressants will require a prescription from your physician.
• Acupuncture and acupressure have been shown to have a positive effect on the treatment of motion sickness. Acupressure bands worn around the wrist have shown a modest effect to prevent motion sickness.
• Drinking ginger ale or ginger tea or eating candied ginger is often helpful.
• Eating light and easily digested foods can help manage symptoms of nausea during bouts of motion sickness.
• Medical research has not yet investigated the effectiveness of popular folk remedies such as soda crackers and Seven-Up or cola syrup over ice for motion sickness.

Remember: Most causes of dizziness and motion sickness are mild and self-treatable disorders. But severe cases, and those that become progressively worse, deserve the attention of a physician with specialized skills in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, equilibrium, and neurological systems. If the symptoms are strongly altering your ability to balance and be safe, seeking consultation is certainly warranted.

Originally adapted with permission from a publication by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Alexandria, Virginia, with edits by Dr. Jeremy Hinton.

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Related Articles

Some common questions about the effects of travel on people with vestibular dysfunction include:

“Will travel increase symptoms?” “Should I avoid travel?” “What is the best form of travel?” “What can I do to minimize discomfort while traveling?”

Travel conditions that may be problematic for a person with a vestibular disorder include those that involve exposure to rapid altitude or pressure changes, certain motion patterns, or disturbing lighting. Travel decisions that accommodate a person’s vestibular disorder will depend on the type of vestibular disorder, the method of transportation (e.g., train, boat, airplane, automobile), and the conditions and planned activities at the destination.

Causes of Dizziness

Dizziness, vertigo and disequilibrium are common symptoms reported by adults during visits to their doctors. They are all symptoms that can result from a peripheral vestibular disorder (a dysfunction of the balance organs of the inner ear) or central vestibular disorder (a dysfunction of one or more parts of the central nervous system that help process balance and spatial information). Although these three symptoms can be linked by a common cause, they have different meanings, and describing them accurately can mean the difference between a successful diagnosis and one that is missed.

Ear Anatomy

Overview The fluid within the inner ear's membranous labyrinth is called endolymph (endo-: inside or within). The fluid contained between the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth is perilymph (peri-: around or about). These two

Stay up-to-date with the latest vestibular news.

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10 common travel problems and how to deal with them

If you travel for long enough you'll experience all these problems and more. You'll also learn that every problem has a solution. Here are 10 of the most common travel problems and ways to avoid them.

Adam NomadicVA.com

Apr 01, 2023

When it comes to travel problems, I've experienced them all!

When you commit to a life of travel you have to accept that it won't always be a smooth operation. Some trips go perfectly without a single problem, but many don't. Some things you can prepare for, others you just have to react to.

The best solution to most travel problems is preparation . Sometimes you'll need to be creative and resourceful with your solutions but this is also one of the joys of traveling . 

You can't prepare for every eventuality, but no problem is insurmountable.

While the situations and specific circumstances may differ, there are common problems that happen to all travelers eventually. 

We'll discuss 10 of the most common travel problems and ways to avoid them .

10 common travel problems and their solutions

1. getting lost.

Some people have fantastic spatial awareness, others not so much, but most people have got lost at least once in their life. It can be a horrible feeling — your heart beating faster as the panic starts to rise. You can get lost anywhere: a supermarket, airport, town center or in the wilderness. 

With modern technology this is one of the easier travel problems to avoid. In the past you'd need a map for each country. Nowadays almost everyone has a smartphone. Before you leave, download Google Maps and then download the offline map for whichever cities you'll be visiting. The offline maps are tiny — normally between 20 to 50mb.

With the offline map on your phone you can browse even without an internet connection . 

A word of warning though, this is not a foolproof plan! If your battery dies the plan comes crashing down. A pen and paper may be ancient technology, but they don't require batteries. Write down your destination just in case.

The most important thing is to not panic. If you can, take a seat and take some slow breathes. Strangers are generally nice and helpful so, if it's safe to do so, ask for directions. If you don't speak the language you can show them the written address (it's not advisable to flash your phone around).

2. Getting mugged

In nearly 20 years I've only been mugged four times. Two of them were in my hometown, minutes from my house.

Some countries are more dangerous than others. It's important to check for any government warnings before you visit. It's also advisable to check Facebook groups and other forums for the opinions of other travelers.

A word of advice though — don't believe everything you read . 

If I'd listened to every bit of advice about South America I never would have got on the plane. I've read hundreds of horror stories about Brazil yet I lived there for over a year without a single problem.

There are lots of articles about how to stay safe when traveling , but what should you do if you actually get attacked?

Don't panic!

The first thing you need to do is report it to the police. You'll need a Crime Reference Number to claim on your insurance. If you're traveling with Worldpackers , your host will know the nearest police station and be able to help you with any translation issues.

Once that's done it's time to deal with the emotional side. After I was attacked in Chile I became quite emotional. I was attacked after leaving a bar, beaten up and robbed. For days afterwards I didn't want to leave the hostel and I was suspicious of everyone in the street. 

I questioned myself. Why me? What did I do wrong? Was it my fault?

It wasn't my fault. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It took me a while to accept it, but it wasn't my fault. It wasn't personal. They didn't know me. I was just a random tourist to target. Once I accepted that it was just business for them I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. That may seem silly, but it's an important emotional shift to make.

You're allowed to feel anger, rage and frustration, but you have to learn to let it go. They're destructive emotions. The majority of the world are awesome people. Don't let a few idiots ruin your journey.

3. Losing your phone

This may seem like a silly one to add to a list of travel problems . Why not a camera? Laptop? Bag? Because most people do everything through their phone.

I had a phone stolen recently in Argentina . Without it I couldn't:

• tell the time
• top up my prepay debit card
• find the nearest police station
• alert my family that it had been stolen
• access my travel e-tickets
• cancel my contract
• tell anybody about it because my translator was on my phone

I had to use the public computer in the hostel, which then caused all kinds of security alerts with my online accounts. Logging in from a foreign computer usually requires answering additional security questions, and then they helpfully offer to text a code to your phone.

Not helpful when the phone is lost!

Make sure you:

• know all your passwords
• update all your account details before leaving
• have a backup email address to receive those annoying security codes

This is one of the more common travel problems as mobile phones are big business all over the world. Your shiny new iPhone could be a year's worth of wages for a local. 

The solution is to use common sense and not wave it around in public. As with all valuables, keep them out of plain sight and, wherever possible, on your person or locked in a safe.

4. Getting sick

Sickness comes in many forms when you're traveling .

• Travel sickness

Travel sickness is caused when signals from your inner ear don't match up with your visual signals. For some people it happens every time they travel. Others only suffer on certain types of transport. I used to hate buses. The smell of the engine and the rocking motion would cause me to hold my breath. This was a problem for any trip longer than 30 seconds.

If you don't have travel sickness medication then there are a few things you can try. First I would try and limit the stimulation. Looking out the window at the passing buildings made me worse, so I would focus on the chair in front and focus on my breathing.

For other people the opposite is true. Distract yourself and take your mind off the feeling, either via conversation, music, counting things out the window, etc. Replace the sensory malfunction with another sensory input.

If you can get access to fresh air and a drink of water then hopefully you can calm the feeling and focus on other happier thoughts.

This is one of the lesser travel problems. While many people use jet lag just to mean tired, it is an actual condition. It's caused when your natural body clock gets out of sync after crossing time zones. Your body still thinks it's one time but the world is operating at a different time.

When I flew to Australia I was woken at 2am by the flight attendant with my dinner. A Thai green curry at 2 o'clock in the morning might sound great after a night of partying, but not when you're stuck on a plane. For the flight staff it was the normal dinner time, but my digestive system didn't agree.

Symptoms of jet lag can include tiredness or restlessness and an inability to sleep. There are a few different approaches to getting over it. You can either try and sleep it off, but this could mean missing time at the start of your trip. I prefer exercise. When you get to your destination try and be as active as possible.

Go out, walk a lot, get lots of fresh air. I don't recommend alcohol as this can mess with your body clock even more. If you arrive in the middle of the night and can't walk around, relax. Meditate, read a book or something which doesn't involve lots of stimulation.

• Insect bites

While some bites can just be itchy or a slight annoyance, others can be quite dangerous. If you're going to a place where mosquitoes or other bugs are known to bite, wrap up. Better than any repellant is a layer of clothing. If you do get bitten try not to scratch. Easier said than done, but this can lead to worse problems.

I am a magnet for biting insects, from fire ants in Costa Rica to mbutu in Paraguay to mosquitoes anywhere in the world. When I step off the plane, it's insect party time. I always carry a good, non-toxic repellant plus some essential oils to treat the itching for when I do get bitten.

It's also important to know the active times for the insects. They vary around the world so get local advice, but most mosquitoes are active from dusk and dawn. Try to avoid being out at these times. If you are, make sure you're covered up or wearing a good repellant.

If you get bitten and start to feel sick, seek medical advice immediately.

Even if it's cloudy, wear protector! Check the weather conditions before you travel and especially the UV levels. A cloudy sky can still produce dangerous levels of UV, and that's what does the real damage.

Apply 30 minutes before going out and then every two hours afterwards. If you're swimming or sweating then go crazy and do it every hour. The saying "less is more" does NOT apply to suncream!

The effects of sunburn can be horrendous. I was unable to walk for two days after thinking I was safe on a cloudy day. It felt like I'd been hit by a car... it was absolute agony for 48 hours.

If you have access to aloe vera, use it! It works miracles for sunburn. If you don't have any then keep the burn cool without applying ice directly. Or even better yet, don't get sunburn! Prevention is much less painful than treatment. Sunburn is one of the travel problems with lasting effects so try and avoid it at all costs.

Now that you know how to protect yourself, here are 15 summer travel ideas .

• Food poisoning

Food poisoning is a travel problem that can strike at any moment. Symptoms can include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea. If it's bad then it can hit you within hours of eating or drinking the contaminated thing. Anti-diarrhea tablets can be a lifesaver... literally.

Before traveling anywhere I always pack toilet paper. I consider it almost as important as my passport. That may sound dramatic but I've been in some sticky situations before. If you develop food poisoning then you'll understand.

While I mentioned diarrhea tablets earlier I only use them as a last resort. This is your bodies way of clearing the contaminate from your body. Let the body clean itself. This may mean a day or two by the toilet, but at least you'll be clear afterwards.

Drink plenty of fluids but avoid dairy and alcohol. Once you start to feel a little better then start with soups or broths and build back up to solid foods.

5. Not speaking the language

This is a travel problem I've lived with for years. 

Not being able to communicate with the people around you can lead to all kinds of emotions:

• Loneliness (see below)
• Frustration
• Determination
• Encouragement

Hopefully you noticed how that list went from negative to positive. 

While being unable to speak the local language can cause lots of negative emotions, it can also be the catalyst to greatness .

Body language, sign language, gestures and smiles. They are all powerful ways to communicate. Use every single one of them. If you're afraid of speaking new languages abroad , don't shy away from meeting new people because you don't know words. Use these other forms of communication as an ice-breaker.

Study languages as much as you can before you travel. It's an incredible form of respect that will be appreciated worldwide if you make the effort. Even if it's just a few words or phrases it will help. There are hundreds of apps, guides and language programs you can try.

The best way to learn a language while traveling ? Speak. It can be slow, painful or lead to lots of laughter. It all depends on what attitude you approach it with. While some languages are much harder to grasp than others, a lack of words is a travel problem with an easy solution.

6. Loneliness

Loneliness is not one of the travel problems which affects everyone, but when it strikes it can be the worst problem imaginable.

There's no single trigger. It doesn't just affect people who suffer from depression or emotional people. 

No matter how strong or independent you are, loneliness can set in and ruin your trip .

It's important to be aware of your feelings. A sudden change in circumstances can really change your attitude to traveling. If things start going wrong and you don't address them then they can spiral out of control.

Being apart from loved ones for an extended period of time is the classic reason, but it can also be as simple as missing a birthday or having nobody to share a special moment with. These small things can add up and really weigh on your mind.

If it gets to a certain level you could be tempted to cancel your trip and go back to your previous life. Traveling asks you to step out of your out of your comfort zone and, without enough positive reinforcement, it can become overwhelming.

There's no easy cure for loneliness. Humans are sociable creatures by design so the easiest solution is to reach out. The saying " You're never alone when you're traveling " is mostly true. Unless you're way out in the wild then chances are you'll be able to speak to somebody.

Speak to your Worldpackers host or other travelers . 

I'm not saying pour your heart out or cry on their shoulder, but you can if it helps. Depending on your emotional state it may only require a smile, hug or a beer with like-minded people.

If that doesn't help then contact the Worldpackers support team . They're all experienced travelers who've lived the travel life. They've all experienced these travel problems and can offer assurance and support. When you're traveling with Worldpackers experiences , you're NEVER alone.

7. Running out of money

This can be a major problem which you'll definitely want to avoid.

Unexpected things do happen though. Things break, unexpected charges come up, plans change and emergencies happen. It's impossible to account for every eventuality. 

Before you travel research the country you're visiting . You want to have an idea of the general cost of living so you can budget properly . 

Save as much money as possible, and always try and have an emergency fund which you don't touch. This can be a credit card or savings account. It should have enough money in for a return flight — that's the last resort should an emergency happen and you need to return home.

Traveling can be expensive so make sure you read about how to save money while traveling , and it's also worth thinking about making money while you travel. 

Unless you have a huge amount of money saved up or you've mastered how to travel on a budget , it can disappear quite quickly. The Worldpackers Academy  has some great material about creative ways to make money while you travel.

If you're a traveller on a budget, check out our travel hacking tips.

8. Missing a flight

This all depends on whose fault it was — yours or the airline.

If it's your fault, there's very little that can be done. 99% of the time this is one of the travel problems with a simple solution. Always arrive in plenty of time. If you think there's even a possibility you won't make it then check the rescheduling rules for your ticket. If you do miss the flight and it was all your own fault then it's time to beg.

Airlines have no obligation to help you if it was your fault . 

All you can do is explain to the staff in a calm, reasonable manner what happened. Don't shout at them. As emotional as you may be, it wasn't their fault. They're just doing their job, so don't be rude to the airline staff.

If you can get on the next flight, all good. If not, and you may not be able to fly for a while, it's time to start thinking about the additional things you've booked. Are you going straight to a Worldpackers host? If so, message them and make them aware of the situation. If you have an Airbnb, hostel or tour, do the same. Don't let the missed flight snowball and ruin everything.

If it wasn't your fault you missed the flight, now you have options . 

Different countries have different rules. Speak to the airline staff and, once again, be calm and reasonable. Some airlines will offer compensation, a free hotel or a free upgrade. It all depends on the individual situation.

I missed a flight transfer in Panama and ended up with a free stay in a 5-Star Hilton Hotel. Admittedly it was only for 5 hours, but it was a nice surprise.

A missed flight isn't the end of the world. Take it as a travel lesson to learn from.

Keep reading:   The most helpful 26 tips for first time travelers

9. Baggage not arriving

This is one of those infuriating surprise travel problems . You check your bags in, get the boarding pass, enjoy the flight and then your bags don't arrive with you.

This happened to me and I was devastated! Luckily it happened on the return trip so I could just go home and wait for the bags to arrive. They eventually did three days later. If it happens on the outbound flight it's a different story.

According to AirfaireWatchdog , "On average, airlines lose around two bags for every 1,000 passengers, and that includes bags that are temporarily misplaced."

That's a disturbingly high number. Certain airlines are better than others so do some research before booking your flight. Even with all the research in the world it's still possible to be the unlucky one. There's absolutely no way to predict it.

While you can't predict the future, you can be prepared . 

Take a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage. I also always carry my toiletries bag with me. This way if my big rucksack goes missing I have something to change into and a way to freshen up.

It's a huge inconvenience, but you can survive.

If your bags don't arrive be sure to speak with the airline staff and find out the procedure. You may have to phone them or they call you. 

Some airlines deliver misplaced bags to your hostel while others need you to go and collect it. Before you leave the airport make sure you know the exact procedure, they have your details and you have theirs.

10. Breaking up with a partner

A  common travel problem  is the breakdown of relationships. As we mentioned before, travel takes you out of your comfort zone. This can lead to stress and frustration. If you're traveling with a partner this can be magnified.

It doesn't matter if it's a girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend or family member, disagreements happen. When you're living in each other's pockets 24/7 there are more opportunities for these disagreements to happen. 

The anticipation of traveling is an incredible time. Whoever you're going with, it's an exciting time to plan, look at photos, make bucket lists and fantasize about the incredible adventures to come. The reality can be quite different as you discover hidden personality traits and different approaches to problem-solving.

My advice for traveling with a partner is to be honest and to compromise, but don't compromise your happiness . 

If you really want to do something or go somewhere and the other doesn't, talk about it. The breakdown of most relationships occurs when there's a lack of communication. 

It may not work for all travel partners but don't be afraid to separate and meet again a few days, weeks or months later. That short break could be the spark you need to rekindle the fire. For romantic partners I recommend brutal honesty. The second a problem arises, talk about it. Don't let anything fester.

Read my guide to couple travel for more detailed information about taking your relationship on the road.

That concludes my list of the most common travel problems and ways to avoid them. 

Every problem has a solution. If you travel for long enough you'll experience all 10 of these and more. Does that mean you should avoid traveling to avoid these problems? Absolutely not!

The benefits of travel far outweigh the negatives. Once you've had these experiences you'll be better equipped to handle whatever life throws at you, either on the road or back at home.

These 'problems' will make you stronger, more resourceful and much more resilient .

Happy travels!

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Author, digital nomad, copywriter, virtual assistant and travel blogger - I love telling stories, sharing experiences and helping others achieve their dreams.

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Jun 08, 2022

I just read your article. I hope i can get some advice from you. I am not a travel writer. I just wrote an article about my travel experience with a popular airport and what i went thru. I don't know where to send the article and this is my 1st time writing such an article.

Jun 11, 2022

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The science behind travel sickness, and how to avoid it

Gp offers advice on the best way to stay illness-free on long journeys.

For many families the summer holidays bring the opportunity to venture out on exciting road trips to far flung places.

But for some, long drives to holiday destinations or to visit family bring the unpleasant prospect of car sickness.

Ranging from a generally unwell feeling to nausea and vomiting, travel sickness can make holidays a misery for many but there are steps you can take to avoid it or at least reduce the symptoms.

What causes travel sickness?

According to GP and author, Dr Sarah Brewer, travel and motion sickness can be triggered by any form of transport and is caused when motion-detecting cells in the inner ears are excessively stimulated and send messages to the brain which don’t match the degree of movement detected by the eyes.

“Your eyes tell your brain that the environment is stationary but your balance organs say that it isn’t – this triggers travel sickness”, says Dr Brewer.

Read more: The 10 best traditional car games for the whole family

“Most people have experienced it at some point in their lives, however some people, particularly children, are especially sensitive as their nerve pathways involved are not fully developed. Before the age of ten, children are especially susceptible.”

According to research by Euro Car Parts, reading, watching a screen, travelling backwards and sitting in the back seat of a car are among the most common causes of feeling car sick. And small cars were the worst form of transport for instigating a bout of illness, to blame for 44 per cent of cases.

10 most common causes of travel sickness Reading (39%) Travelling backwards (38%) Sitting in the back seat (31%) Travelling while tired (17%) After drinking alcohol (16%) Watching a screen (15%) Dehydration (15%) Travelling while hungry (14.7%) Standing while travelling eg on public transport (11%) After eating (6%)

How to stop travel sickness

To help those who suffer from car sickness, Dr Brewer has come up with some tips to help avoid its onset or mimimise its effects

Watch what and when you eat and drink

When travelling, it can be tempting to buy quick and easy fast food from service stations en route. However, greasy, fatty and spicy food can cause nausea and trigger or worsen travel sickness. Likewise, alcohol can act as a diuretic and dehydrate you – further exacerbating your motion sickness.

You should however avoid travelling on an empty stomach – have a light meal instead 45 to 60 minutes before travelling, and top yourself up with light snacks which are bland and low in fat and acid.

Position is everything

If possible, offer to drive – drivers are less likely to suffer from travel sickness as they are concentrating on the outside. If driving isn’t an option, try to sit in the front seats and open the windows to get fresh air circulating.

Keep your attention focused on the distant horizon to reduce your sensory input. To help children, use car seats to ensure children can sit high enough to see out of the window.

To reduce nausea-inducing movement in other vehicles, try and sit between the wheels on buses or coaches where movement is less, or in the area above the wings on an aeroplane.

If all else fails, try medication

For travel sickness, prevention is easier than treating symptoms once they start. Try taking the antihistamine cinnarizine, which works on the vomiting centre in the brain, two hours before a journey, and it will reduce your susceptibility to motion sickness for at least eight hours.

If you are already feeling sick, however, you can suck a tablet rather than swallowing it for a more rapid effect. Just make sure you don’t take sedating travel sickness medication or drive if you feel drowsy.

If you prefer a more natural option, Dr Brewer recommends trying ginger tablets or wearing acupressure bands on your wrists.

Chris Barella, digital services director at Euro Car Parts said: “Unfortunately, motion sickness is something that most of us have dealt with at some point in our life and will probably have to continue to deal with.

“No one wants to experience that nauseous feeling while travelling. Hopefully the advice offered by Dr Brewer will help sufferers, particularly if you have no choice but to travel.”

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NICHOLAS A. RATHJEN, DO, AND S. DAVID SHAHBODAGHI, MD, MPH

Am Fam Physician. 2023;108(4):396-403

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

Approximately 1.8 billion people will cross an international border by 2030, and 66% of travelers will develop a travel-related illness. Most travel-related illnesses are self-limiting and do not require significant intervention; others could cause significant morbidity or mortality. Physicians should begin with a thorough history and clinical examination to have the highest probability of making the correct diagnosis. Targeted questioning should focus on the type of trip taken, the travel itinerary, and a list of all geographic locations visited. Inquiries should also be made about pretravel preparations, such as chemoprophylactic medications, vaccinations, and any personal protective measures such as insect repellents or specialized clothing. Travelers visiting friends and relatives are at a higher risk of travel-related illnesses and more severe infections. The two most common vaccine-preventable illnesses in travelers are influenza and hepatitis A. Most travel-related illnesses become apparent soon after arriving at home because incubation periods are rarely longer than four to six weeks. The most common illnesses in travelers from resource-rich to resource-poor locations are travelers diarrhea and respiratory infections. Localizing symptoms such as fever with respiratory, gastrointestinal, or skin-related concerns may aid in identifying the underlying etiology.

Globally, it is estimated that 1.8 billion people will cross an international border by 2030. 1 Although Europe is the most common destination, tourism is increasing in developing regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 2 Less than one-half of U.S. travelers seek pretravel medical advice. It is estimated that two-thirds of travelers will develop a travel-related illness; therefore, the ill returning traveler is not uncommon in primary care. 3 Although most of these illnesses are minor and relatively insignificant clinically, the potential exists for serious illness. The advent of modern and interconnected travel networks means that a rare illness or nonendemic infectious disease is never more than 24 hours away. 4 Travelers over the past 10 years have contributed to the increase of emerging infectious diseases such as chikungunya, Zika virus infection, COVID-19, mpox (monkeypox), and Ebola disease. 3

Although most travel-related illnesses are self-limiting and do not require medical evaluation, others could be life-threatening. 5 The challenge for the busy physician is successfully differentiating between the two. Physicians should begin with a thorough history and clinical examination to have the highest probability of making the correct diagnosis. Travelers at the highest risk are those visiting friends and relatives who stay in a country for more than 28 days or travel to Africa. Most travel-related illnesses become apparent soon after arriving home because incubation periods are rarely longer than four to six weeks. 3 , 6 The most common illnesses in travelers from resource-rich to resource-poor locations are travelers diarrhea and respiratory infections. 7 , 8 The incubation period of an illness relative to the onset of symptoms and the length of stay in the foreign destination can exclude infections in the differential diagnosis ( eTable A ) .

General questions should determine the patient’s pertinent medical history, focusing on any unique factors, such as immunocompromising illnesses or underlying risk factors for a travel-related medical concern. Targeted questioning should focus on the type of trip taken and the travel itinerary that includes accommodations, recreational activities, and a list of all geographic locations visited ( Table 1 3 , 6 , 9 and Table 2 3 , 6 ) . Patients should be asked about any medical treatments received in a foreign country. Modern travel itineraries often require multiple stopovers, and it is not uncommon for the casual traveler to visit several locations with different geographically linked illness patterns in a single trip abroad.

Travel History

Travelers visiting friends and relatives are at a higher risk of travel-related illnesses and more severe infections. 10 , 11 These travelers rarely seek pretravel consultation, are less likely to take chemoprophylaxis, and engage in more risky travel-related behaviors such as consuming food from local sources and traveling to more remote locations. 3 Overall, travelers visiting friends and relatives tend to have extended travel stays and are more likely to reside in non–climate-controlled dwellings.

During the clinical history, inquiries should be made about pretravel preparations, including chemoprophylactic medications, vaccinations, and personal protective measures such as insect repellents or specialized clothing. 12 , 13 Accurate knowledge of previous preventive strategies allows for appropriate risk stratification by physicians. Even when used thoroughly, these measures decrease the likelihood of certain illnesses but do not exclude them. 6 Adherence to dietary precautions and pretravel immunization against typhoid fever do not necessarily eliminate the risk of disease. Travelers often have no control over meals prepared in foreign food establishments, and the currently available typhoid vaccines are 60% to 80% effective. 14 Although all travel-related vaccines are important, the two most common vaccine-preventable illnesses in travelers are influenza and hepatitis A. 12 , 15

Travel duration is also an important but often overlooked component of the clinical history because the likelihood of illness increases directly with the length of stay abroad. The longer travelers stay in a non-native environment, the more likely they are to forego travel precautions and adherence to chemoprophylaxis. 3 The use of personal protective measures decreases gradually with the total amount of time in the host environment. 3 A thorough medical and sexual history should be obtained because data show that sexual contact during travel is common and often occurs without the use of barrier contraception. 16

Clinical Assessment

The severity of the illness helps determine if the patient should be admitted to the hospital while the evaluation is in progress. 3 Patients with high fevers, hemorrhagic symptoms, or abnormal laboratory findings should be hospitalized or placed in isolation ( Figure 1 ) . For patients with a higher severity of illness, consultation with an infectious disease or tropical/travel medicine physician is advised. 3 Patients with symptoms that suggest acute malaria (e.g., fever, altered mental status, chills, headaches, myalgias, malaise) should be admitted for observation while the evaluation is expeditiously completed. 13

Many tools can assist physicians in making an accurate diagnosis. The GeoSentinel is a worldwide data collection network for the surveillance and research of travel-related illnesses; however, this service requires a subscription. The network can guide physicians to the most likely illness based on geographic location and top diagnoses by geography. 4 For example, Plasmodium falciparum malaria is the most common serious febrile illness in travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. 17

Ill returning travelers should have a laboratory evaluation performed with a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and C-reactive protein. Additional testing may include blood-based rapid molecular assays for malaria and arboviruses; blood, stool, and urine cultures; and thick and thin blood smears for malaria. 3 Emerging polymerase chain reaction technologies are becoming widely available across the United States. Multiplex and biofilm array polymerase chain reaction platforms for bacterial, viral, and protozoal pathogens are now available at most tertiary health care centers. 4 Multiplex and biofilm platforms include dedicated panels for respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses and bloodborne pathogens. These tests allow for real-time or near real-time diagnosis of agents that were previously difficult to isolate outside of the reference laboratory setting.

Table 3 lists common tropical diseases and associated vectors. 3 , 6 , 18 Physicians should be aware of unique and emerging infections, such as viral hemorrhagic fevers, COVID-19, and novel respiratory pathogens, in addition to common illnesses. Testing for infections of public health importance can be performed with assistance from local public health authorities. 19 In cases of short-term travel, previously acquired non–travel-related conditions should be on any list of applicable differential diagnoses. References on infectious diseases endemic in many geographic locations are accessible online. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers’ Health website provides free resources for patients and health care professionals at https://www.cdc.gov/travel .

Febrile Illness

A fever typically accompanies serious illnesses in returning travelers. Patients with a fever should be treated as moderately ill. One barrier to an accurate and early diagnosis of travel-related infections is the nonspecific nature of the initial symptoms of illness. Often, these symptoms are vague and nonfocal. A febrile illness with a fever as the primary presenting symptom could represent a viral upper respiratory tract infection, acute influenza, or even malaria, typhoid, or dengue, which are the most life-threatening. According to GeoSentinel data, 91% of ill returning travelers with an acute, life-threatening illness present with a fever. 20 All travelers who are febrile and have recently returned from a malarious area should be urgently evaluated for the disease. 13 , 21 Travelers who have symptoms of malaria should seek medical attention, regardless of whether prophylaxis or preventive measures were used. Suspicion of P. falciparum malaria is a medical emergency. 13 Clinical deterioration or death can occur in a malaria-naive patient within 24 to 36 hours. 22 Dengue is an important cause of fever in travelers returning from tropical locations. An estimated 50 million to 100 million global cases of dengue are reported annually, with many more going undetected. 23 eTable B lists the most common causes of fever in the returning traveler.

Respiratory Illness

Respiratory infections are common in the United States and throughout the world. Ill returning travelers with respiratory concerns are statistically most likely to have a viral respiratory tract infection. 24 Influenza circulates year-round in tropical climates and is one of the most common vaccine-preventable illnesses in travelers. 3 , 12 Influenza A and B frequently present with a low-grade fever, cough, congestion, myalgia, and malaise. eTable C lists the most common causes of respiratory illnesses in the returning traveler.

Gastrointestinal Illness

Gastrointestinal symptoms account for approximately one-third of returning travelers who seek medical attention. 25 Most diarrhea in travelers is self-limiting, with travelers diarrhea being the most common travel-related illness. 7 Diarrhea linked to travel in resource-poor areas is usually caused by bacterial, viral, or protozoal pathogens.

The most often encountered diarrheal pathogens are enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and enteroaggregative E. coli , which are easily treated with commonly available antibiotics. 26 Physicians should be aware of emerging antibiotic resistance patterns across the globe. The CDC offers up-to-date travel information in the CDC Yellow Book . 3 Although patients are often concerned about parasites, they should be reassured that helminths and other parasitic infections are rare in the casual traveler. 3

The disease of concern in the setting of gastrointestinal symptoms is typhoid fever. Physicians should be aware that typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are clinically indistinguishable, with cardinal symptoms of fever and abdominal pain. 3 Typhoid fever should be considered in ill returning travelers who do not have diarrhea, because typhoid infection may not present with diarrheal symptoms. The likelihood of typhoid fever also correlates with travel to endemic regions and should be considered an alternative diagnosis in patients not responding to antimalarial medications. A diagnosis of enteric fever can be confirmed with blood or stool cultures. Although less common, community-acquired Clostridioides difficile should be considered in the differential diagnosis in the setting of recent travel and potential antimicrobial use abroad. 27

Another important travel-related pathogen is hepatitis A due to its widespread distribution in the developing world and the small pathogen dose necessary to cause illness. Hepatitis A is a more serious infection in adults; however, many U.S. adults have been vaccinated because the hepatitis A vaccine is included in the recommended childhood immunization schedule. 28 eTable D lists the most common causes of gastrointestinal illnesses in the returning traveler.

Dermatologic Concerns

Dermatologic concerns are common among returning travelers and include noninfectious causes such as sun overexposure, contact with new or unfamiliar hygiene products, and insect bites. The most common infections in returning travelers with dermatologic concerns include cutaneous larva migrans, infected insect bites, and skin abscesses. Cutaneous larva migrans typically presents with an intensely pruritic serpiginous rash on the feet or gluteal region. 3 Questions about bites and bite avoidance measures should be asked of patients with symptomatic skin concerns; however, physicians should remember that many bites go unnoticed. 29

Formerly common illnesses in the United States are common abroad, with measles, varicella-zoster virus infection, and rubella occurring in child and adult travelers. 3 Measles is considered one of the most contagious infectious diseases. More than one-third of child travelers from the United States have not completed the recommended course of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines at the time of travel due to immunization scheduling. One-half of all measles importations into the United States comes from these international travelers. 30 Measles should always be considered in the differential because of the low or incomplete vaccination rates in travelers and high levels of exposure in some areas abroad. eTable E lists the most common infectious causes of dermatologic concern in the returning traveler.

Data Sources: A PubMed search was completed using the key words prevention, diagnosis, treatment, travel related illness, surveillance, travel medicine, chemoprophylaxis, and returning traveler treatment. The search was limited to English-language studies published since 2000. Secondary references from the key articles identified by the search were used as well. Also searched were the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Cochrane databases. Search dates: September 2022 to November 2022, March 2023, and August 2023.

The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the U.S. Army, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

The World Tourism Organization. International tourists to hit 1.8 billion by 2030. October 11, 2011. Accessed March 2023. https://www.unwto.org/archive/global/press-release/2011-10-11/international-tourists-hit-18-billion-2030

• Angelo KM, Kozarsky PE, Ryan ET, et al. What proportion of international travellers acquire a travel-related illness? A review of the literature. J Travel Med. 2017;24(5):10.1093/jtm/tax046.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel . Oxford University Press; 2023. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/table-of-contents

Wu HM. Evaluation of the sick returned traveler. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2019;36(3):197-202.

Scaggs Huang FA, Schlaudecker E. Fever in the returning traveler. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2018;32(1):163-188.

Feder HM, Mansilla-Rivera K. Fever in returning travelers: a case-based approach. Am Fam Physician. 2013;88(8):524-530.

Giddings SL, Stevens AM, Leung DT. Traveler's diarrhea. Med Clin North Am. 2016;100(2):317-330.

Harvey K, Esposito DH, Han P, et al.; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance for travel-related disease–GeoSentinel Surveillance System, United States, 1997–2011. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2013;62:1-23.

Sridhar S, Turbett SE, Harris JB, et al. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in international travelers. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2021;34(5):423-431.

Matteelli A, Carvalho AC, Bigoni S. Visiting relatives and friends (VFR), pregnant, and other vulnerable travelers. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2012;26(3):625-635.

Ladhani S, Aibara RJ, Riordan FA, et al. Imported malaria in children: a review of clinical studies. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007;7(5):349-357.

Sanford C, McConnell A, Osborn J. The pretravel consultation. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(8):620-627.

Shahbodaghi SD, Rathjen NA. Malaria. Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(3):270-278.

Freedman DO, Chen LH, Kozarsky PE. Medical considerations before international travel. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(3):247-260.

• Marti F, Steffen R, Mutsch M. Influenza vaccine: a travelers' vaccine?  Expert Rev Vaccines. 2008;7(5):679-687.

Vivancos R, Abubakar I, Hunter PR. Foreign travel, casual sex, and sexually transmitted infections: systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Infect Dis. 2010;14(10):e842-e851.

Paquet D, Jung L, Trawinski H, et al. Fever in the returning traveler. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2022;119(22):400-407.

Cantey PT, Montgomery SP, Straily A. Neglected parasitic infections: what family physicians need to know—a CDC update. Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(3):277-287.

Rathjen NA, Shahbodaghi SD. Bioterrorism. Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(4):376-385.

Jensenius M, Davis X, von Sonnenburg F, et al.; Geo-Sentinel Surveillance Network. Multicenter GeoSentinel analysis of rickettsial diseases in international travelers, 1996–2008. Emerg Infect Dis. 2009;15(11):1791-1798.

Tolle MA. Evaluating a sick child after travel to developing countries. J Am Board Fam Med. 2010;23(6):704-713.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About malaria. February 2, 2022. Accessed August 21, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/index.html

Wilder-Smith A, Schwartz E. Dengue in travelers. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(9):924-932.

Summer A, Stauffer WM. Evaluation of the sick child following travel to the tropics. Pediatr Ann. 2008;37(12):821-826.

Swaminathan A, Torresi J, Schlagenhauf P, et al.; GeoSentinel Network. A global study of pathogens and host risk factors associated with infectious gastrointestinal disease in returned international travellers. J Infect. 2009;59(1):19-27.

Shah N, DuPont HL, Ramsey DJ. Global etiology of travelers' diarrhea: systematic review from 1973 to the present. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009;80(4):609-614.

Michal Stevens A, Esposito DH, Stoney RJ, et al.; GeoSentinel Surveillance Network. Clostridium difficile infection in returning travellers. J Travel Med. 2017;24(3):1-6.

Mayer CA, Neilson AA. Hepatitis A - prevention in travellers. Aust Fam Physician. 2010;39(12):924-928.

Herness J, Snyder MJ, Newman RS. Arthropod bites and stings. Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(2):137-147.

Bangs AC, Gastañaduy P, Neilan AM, et al. The clinical and economic impact of measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations to prevent measles importations from U.S. pediatric travelers returning from abroad. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2022;11(6):257-266.

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10 Ways Motion Sickness Could Indicate Serious Health Problems

Motion sickness, also known as travel sickness, is a condition characterized by a disturbance of the inner ear or the labyrinth, resulting in spatial orientation as well as an impaired sense of balance and equilibrium. It is caused by a repetitive motion such as the movement of a vehicle, the motion of a plane in the air, or being on a boat. Although motion sickness may seem like a harmless condition, it may indicate a more serious problem.

10. When Does Motion Sickness Occur?

Approximately thirty-three percent of people experience motion sickness in mild circumstances, such as driving in a car on a smooth road, and up to sixty-six percent experience symptoms in severe conditions, including being on a boat in turbulent waters. Motion sickness can occur on a boat, in a car, on a plane, or when riding an amusement park ride. Only people who do not have a functional vestibular system are immune to developing motion sickness.

Motion sickness is detected in the brain when the inner ear, the eyes, and the deeper tissues of the body’s surface send signals to the nervous system. These signals include acceleration, motion sensors, and gravity. The input from these three signals is coordinated in the brain anytime a person walks or moves intentionally. However, when there is an unintentional movement of the body and the brain is not organizing the movement, it causes a sense of discoordination or conflict between the three pathways, resulting in motion sickness.

8. Body Parts Involved In Motion Sickness

Although motion sickness is a complicated process, researchers know that the motion-sensing organs in the inner ear are responsible for detecting motion sickness, which makes the inner ear an important part in the development of the condition. Vision seems to play less of a role as people are who are blind can still experience motion sickness. The neurotransmitters histamine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine appear to be involved in the conflicting input within the brain that causes motion sickness symptoms.

7. Symptoms

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, vertigo or dizziness, sweating, and a general sense of feeling unwell. Mild symptoms include yawning, a headache and a slightly uneasy feeling while severe symptoms include drooling, shortness of breath, and drowsiness. These symptoms usually occur when the person is in a car, on a boat, in an airplane or on an amusement ride. Symptoms may go away quickly after the repetitive motion has stopped but a general feeling of being unwell may last for several hours.

6. Diagnosis

Most people who experience motion sickness do not need to seek medical help as symptoms will go away on their own. However, individuals who experience chronic motion sickness or very severe cases that become progressively worse will need to seek treatment to detect a balance or nervous system problem. A doctor will ask about the symptoms and causes of motion sickness to determine its cause. A physical examination may be done to rule out problems with the inner ear.

5. Balance Disorders

Motion sickness can be an underlying indication of a balance disorder, which occurs when a person feels like they are unsteady, dizzy or moving even when they are standing still. Symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, the feeling of falling, lightheadedness, a floating sensation, blurred vision, confusion or disorientation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure, fear, panic and anxiety. Over time, depression and fatigue may occur as a result of a balance disorder.

4. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

While there are more than a dozen different balance disorders, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or positional vertigo is one of the most common. It is characterized by an intense and brief episode of vertigo or dizziness triggered by changing the position of the head. People with BPPV may feel like they are spinning when they bend down, tilt the head, or even roll over in bed. It occurs when a structure in the vesicular system called the cupula sends the wrong information to the brain, causing vertigo. It may occur due to aging or a brain injury.

3. Mal De Debarquement Syndrome (MDDS)

Mal de debarquement syndrome happens when there is a constant feeling of bobbing or rocking. It usually occurs after a boat ride or cruise. The symptoms may go away within a few hours but have been known to last months and even years. Vestibular neuronitis is another balance disorder caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve. It is primarily caused by a viral infection that causes vertigo and feelings of motion sickness.

2. Other Balance Disorders

Labyrinthitis is a balance disorder that occurs when there is an infection or inflammation in the inner ear that causes loss of balance or dizziness. It is common during upper respiration infections like the flu. Ménière's disease involves episodes of hearing loss, vertigo, a ringing in the ear, and a feeling of fullness or water in the ear. It is due to a change of fluid in the labyrinth. A perilymph fistula occurs when there is a leakage of fluid in the inner ear into the middle ear. It causes feelings of unsteadiness with activity and may eventually lead to nausea and dizziness.

1. Treatment

Although motion sickness usually stops when the repetitive motion ceases, some people experience symptoms for hours or even days later. Looking out the window of a moving vehicle may help reduce symptoms by reaffirming visual motion. Taking a nap or closing the eyes may also help prevent psychogenic effects, as well as chewing gum. Medications such as antihistamines and nervous system blockers are available in pill or patch form. Getting fresh air or focusing the eyes on an object straight ahead may also help.

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These 10 proven methods can manage your air sickness

B eing a regular traveler, you must have faced air sickness while being on board. Motion sickness or flight sickness arises due to a sensory conflict during air travel. It emerges when the eyes perceive something different from what the inner ear's vestibular system detects, causing symptoms like nausea, dizziness, sweating, and even vomiting.

The inner ear, responsible for sensing motion, encounters a disparity as the eyes mainly focus on the unmoving interior of the aircraft. This incongruity perplexes the brain, which anticipates motion but doesn't witness it, ultimately resulting in discomfort.

Air sickness affects some individuals during air travel, its severity varying from person to person. Factors such as turbulence, an individual's susceptibility, and the type of aircraft can influence the onset and intensity of these symptoms.

Proven methods to manage air sickness

These are the methods to manage and alleviate the problem of motion sickness while traveling.

1. Choose the right seat

Selecting an appropriate seat can significantly impact your air travel comfort. Seats over the wings are known to provide the most stability during flights. This region experiences minimal motion during turbulence, making it a preferred choice for those prone to air sickness.

Moreover, aim for a window seat as it allows you to focus on external visual cues, aiding in reducing symptoms.

2. Focus on the horizon

To effectively combat air sickness, engage in the practice of visually fixating on the horizon. The idea behind this technique is to provide your brain with a consistent reference point.

By looking outside and maintaining a steady gaze at a distant object on the horizon, you help your brain reconcile the disconnect between what your eyes see and what your inner ear senses. This visual grounding can significantly reduce feelings of nausea and dizziness.

3. Avoid heavy meals

Before embarking on your flight, be mindful of your meal choices. Heavy, greasy, or spicy foods can contribute to feelings of nausea and discomfort. Opt instead for light, easily digestible meals. These are less likely to upset your stomach and are a practical strategy to prevent air sickness.

4. Stay hydrated

Hydration is key to your overall well-being during air travel. Adequate water intake is essential for avoiding dehydration, which can worsen air sickness symptoms.

However, it's advisable to limit your consumption of alcohol and caffeine, as they can contribute to dehydration. Aim to balance your fluid intake for a more comfortable journey.

Ginger, known for its well-documented anti-nausea properties, can be a valuable natural remedy. It's beneficial to incorporate ginger into your pre-flight routine, and it's available in various forms such as ginger candies, ginger tea, or ginger supplements. These forms allow you to enjoy the soothing effects of ginger , potentially alleviating air sickness symptoms.

6. Medications

Highly effective in preventing air sickness, over-the-counter antihistamines like Dramamine or prescription medications like scopolamine patches work by stabilizing the vestibular system . This stabilizing action reduces the brain's response to conflicting sensory signals.

However, it's of utmost importance to consult a healthcare professional before using any medication. Their expertise ensures that you receive personalized guidance and insights into potential side effects.

7. Acupressure wristbands

Designed to target specific wrist pressure points associated with reducing nausea, acupressure wristbands offer a non-invasive approach to relief. These wristbands can be particularly helpful for individuals prone to air sickness.

Wearing them during your flight stimulates these pressure points, potentially alleviating symptoms.

8. Controlled breathing

Valuable tools for managing air sickness, deep, slow, and controlled breathing techniques allow you to take deliberate, measured breaths. This approach effectively calms your nervous system and reduces sensations of nausea and anxiety.

Consider practicing the technique of inhaling deeply through your nose for a count of four, holding your breath for another count of four, and then exhaling slowly through your mouth for a count of four.

9. Distraction

Effective in diverting your attention from feelings of nausea, distraction techniques can enhance your in-flight experience. Consider the preparation of a playlist featuring soothing music, downloading engaging movies or shows for in-flight entertainment, or bringing along an interesting book or magazine to keep your mind occupied throughout the flight. These diversions allow you to focus on something other than discomfort.

10. Behavioral techniques

Some individuals may find behavioral techniques, such as desensitization and exposure therapy, beneficial for reducing sensitivity to motion sickness over time. These approaches entail gradual exposure to the triggers of motion sickness within controlled settings. This process helps you build tolerance and resilience to the sensations associated with flying.

Now that you know how to deal with motion sickness, you can have a peaceful journey and not worry about anything. Adhere to the methods properly and enjoy your trip.

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How an Earthquake Can Throw the Body and Brain Off-Balance

People can experience dizziness, anxiety and even “phantom” aftershocks following a quake.

By Erik Vance

• April 5, 2024

Earthquakes are always unnerving. But for some, the aftershocks can go on beyond the actual tremors: People can experience anxiety, sleep problems and other health issues in the hours and days after a quake.

One such effect is a sense of dizziness after an especially large or frightening earthquake. In Japan, this feeling is called jishin-yoi (which roughly translates to “earthquake drunk,” or “earthquake sickness”). It is also sometimes called post-earthquake dizziness syndrome . Others might report experiencing “phantom” earthquakes that might feel like subtle aftershocks, or like the room has started shaking again, but this is in fact purely psychological.

There is very little research into these phenomena, and most of it has been done in the wake of earthquakes far larger than the one that jolted the Northeast on Friday.

In Tokyo, where aftershocks are more common than in other parts of Japan, one team found that some people still experienced balance issues for as long as four months after a big quake.

“We see it with patients who get off cruises too, or get off a boat. They’ll be lightheaded or have a sensation of movement for days or even months,” said Dr. Landon Duyka, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at Northwestern Medicine.

If you are dizzy or feel like the ground is still moving after an earthquake ends, experts recommend treating it as you would other forms of motion sickness. Try looking at a spot far away and focusing on it, Dr. Duyka said, which “can often help what we call the vestibular system — or your balance system — settle down.”

If your dizzy spell doesn’t go away on its own within a few hours, or if it is particularly intense, you may want to look into over-the-counter antihistamines, like Dramamine, Dr. Duyka said.

Some feelings may be caused more by stress. Experts said that it’s normal to feel anxiety, especially if you’ve never experienced an earthquake before.

You can’t control earthquakes, said Susan Albers, a clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic who has worked with patients who have weather-related fears. “That’s where it really taps into people’s anxiety, and particularly if you’re somebody who already has issues with control.”

Dr. Albers said it’s important to avoid “doom-scrolling” after experiencing a stressful event like an earthquake. If you feel compelled to read about it, she recommended focusing on scientific explanations of earthquakes and how they work, rather than the destruction they cause. This is especially helpful for children, Dr. Albers added.

She also recommended sharing your experience with people around you, talking about where you were and what it felt like. Seek out people who project a sense of ease about the event, Dr. Albers said — or, if you are able, become that person for others.

“Being around people who are calm about the situation can be really helpful,” she said. “Calm is contagious.”

Erik Vance is a staff editor for The Times’s Well desk, where he focuses on coverage of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. More about Erik Vance

Managing Anxiety and Stress

Stay balanced in the face of stress and anxiety with our collection of tools and advice..

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These simple and proven strategies will help you manage stress , support your mental health and find meaning in the new year.

First, bring calm and clarity into your life with these 10 tips . Next, identify what you are dealing with: Is it worry, anxiety or stress ?

Persistent depressive disorder is underdiagnosed, and many who suffer from it have never heard of it. Here is what to know .

If you notice drastic shifts in your mood during certain times of the year, you could have seasonal affective disorder. Here are answers to your top questions about the condition .

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Watch CBS News

Eclipse watchers stuck in heavy traffic driving home: "Worst traffic I've ever seen"

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 2:37 PM EDT / CBS News

Drivers returning home Monday from watching the solar eclipse in cities and towns in the path of totality described traffic jams that were among the worst they'd ever experienced, keeping them on roads all night and into Tuesday morning. 

Indeed, cities and towns in the eclipse's path experienced some of their  largest influxes of tourists in their histories, providing  an economic boom  to states from Texas to Vermont. While eclipse tourists tended to stagger their arrivals during the weekend leading up to the event, many departed roughly at the same time after the eclipse ended on Monday afternoon, clogging highways and local roads.

Traffic on I-89 in Vermont, which links Burlington, a city in the path of the totality, with Boston, and on the state's I-91 was heavy on Monday afternoon, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation. "Worst traffic I've ever seen," wrote Richard Chen of the venture fund 1confirmation on X, formerly known as Twitter, after visiting northern Vermont to view the eclipse. But, he added, "[I]t was totally worth it."

It took us over 6 hours to drive 110 miles in MO. last night after the eclipse. I’ve never been in that long of a traffic jam. The majority of it we were only going 8 miles an hour. I guess that’s the price you pay for center line totality! Cell service was out too!🤯 pic.twitter.com/GGVkXEcLn7 — Anne Jones (@1neatgirl) April 9, 2024

Along I-75 near Dixie Highway around Perrysburg, Ohio, motorists were stuck in miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic, according to a local media report . 

Michigan residents who had driven to Ohio to watch the eclipse described their return trips as taking twice as long as they should have, according to WTOL 11. 

The Maine Department of Transportation said the state had 10 times the volume of normal traffic in its western and southern regions Monday evening, according to Fox23 Maine . Most eclipse watchers departed at around the same time on Monday, even though they had arrived at different points leading up to the eclipse, according to The Maine Turnpike Authority.

The Maine DOT had earlier advised visitors to arrive early and leave late to avoid congestion on the roads. 

On TikTok, user @schoolhousecaulk said he had anticipated bad traffic in Vermont and that it was "worth it," despite driving overnight for 150 miles at a "snails pace."

At 5:30 in the morning, he said he finally reached his home in New York City. It had taken him 13 hours to drive 370 miles, he said. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

More from CBS News

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Traffic delays and other issues mark total solar eclipse day

Authorities on Monday reported traffic crashes and significant road delays across the country as thousands of people flocked to prime locations to gaze up at the rare solar eclipse – and then made their way home again.

Local roads and highways in states including Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Vermont and New Hampshire were impacted by the flood of drivers, many of whom were from out of state. The most intense bottlenecks appeared to be in the path of totality , a vast swath of the country – approximately 115 miles wide, crossing through 13 states – where people were able to view the total eclipse.

Traffic slowed on major highways in Indiana as the eclipse progressed Monday afternoon. State transportation officials posted video showing backups forming on Interstate 65 headed toward Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Star reported. The Courier & Press in Evansville reported delays after the eclipse ended.

Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine posted on X that traffic on state highways was flowing but rest stops along interstates in the path of totality are at or near capacity. 

Perrine said transportation officials planned to shut them down "once they are full and will not allow any more traffic in for the duration of the eclipse." One rest stop along I-74 near Veedersburg, northwest of Indianapolis, closed because it had reached maximum capacity from "eclipse viewing traffic." 

In Oklahoma, a crash around 7:30 a.m. local time narrowed eastbound lanes on I-40, a major transcontinental highway that runs from California to North Carolina. The crash occurred not far from several state parks that were hosting eclipse events, and was within driving distance of the full eclipse path, which included parts of southeastern Oklahoma and Arkansas.

"Crews estimate cleanup will take the majority of the day. Expect delays in the area and use extra caution. #trucking #eclipse," said a post on X by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation .

Multiple crashes were reported in Waco, Texas, a city in the path of totality, which hosted several festivities and eclipse viewing events. The crashes all occurred on I-35, which runs from southern Texas to Minnesota. The wrecks shut down multiple lanes.

"Expect major traffic delays in this area," the Texas Department of Transportation said in a statement around 9 a.m. local time.

Officials warn drivers of delays, dangers ahead of solar eclipse

In the weeks leading up to the celestial event, officials issued warnings about heavy traffic congestion and the danger of driving during the eclipse , including distracted pedestrians and the sudden change in light conditions. Eclipses have previously been tied with surges in traffic crashes, including fatal collisions.

In New York, extra troopers were staged throughout the entire state, especially in northern counties and cities, such as Buffalo, from which spectators can see a full eclipse, according to the New York State Police .

In Ohio, the state's Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission heavily staffed its toll booths, service plazas and maintenance buildings in anticipation of the eclipse, which it has designated as "a high-volume traffic event" like, for example, Thanksgiving.  The Ohio Emergency Management Agency estimates, for the solar eclipse, between 150,000 and 575,000 travelers will visit the state, which encompasses areas in the path of totality.

During the 2017 eclipse, congestion in some areas lasted for up to 13 hours after totality,  according to Transportation Research News , a National Research Council publication. An analysis of traffic patterns from that year suggests the worst of the traffic – on interstates and rural back roads alike – will kick off after the eclipse ends and everyone tries to leave all at once.

Contributing: Kayla Jimenez and Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY ; The Indianapolis Star

Airbus and Boeing's problems spell bad news for the cost of your summer vacation

• IATA predicted this year will beat the pre-pandemic record for air travel.
• But both Boeing and Airbus jets are having problems that are reducing capacity.
• Some airlines are already warning that prices will go up.

You can expect to pay more for plane tickets this summer, as airline capacity struggles to keep up with demand.

In December 2023, the International Air Travel Association predicted 2024 would break records for the most air passengers ever . It expects 4.7 billion people to travel this year — 200 million more than the pre-pandemic high set in 2019.

But airlines are warning they'll have fewer seats available than they initially thought, as both Boeing and Airbus are dealing with problems.

IATA had predicted a 9% growth in capacity. But passenger airlines will see 19% fewer aircraft than expected this year, Martha Neubauer, a senior associate at AeroDynamic Advisor, told Reuters .

Southwest Airlines has paused hiring because it now expects to receive 46 new Boeing 737 Max jets, down from 79.

Related stories

And the CEO of Europe's biggest budget airline, Ryanair, warned its ticket prices could go up 10% due to Boeing delivery delays.

Additionally, United has asked pilots to take an unpaid leave in May to help mitigate delayed deliveries of Boeing planes.

Boeing has had a bad year as the Alaska Airlines blowout in January sparked increased scrutiny from regulators. The Federal Aviation Administration has limited how many 737 Max jets it can manufacture.

And since CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would resign at the end of the year, Boeing's new chairman is trying to win back customers' trust.

While Boeing has been under the spotlight, Airbus also has some problems of its own.

A flaw in the Pratt & Whitney engines used on Airbus A320neos will ground 650 jets for inspections in the first half of this year.

IATA also predicted that airline profits would be up 10% from last year. But the trade group's director general, Willie Walsh, said the average airline only makes $5.45 for every passenger.

"That's about enough to buy a basic grande latte at a London Starbucks," he added. "But it is far too little to build a future that is resilient to shocks for a critical global industry."

Watch: Thousands of bags pile up at US airports after flight cancellations

• Main content

Live eclipse traffic: Heavy traffic building in central Ohio as travelers return south

Traffic along north and west Columbus remains heavy at 6 p.m. Monday as motorists make their way home from viewing the solar eclipse.

The heaviest traffic is U.S. 33 eastbound between Dublin and Marysville, and there are backups along southbound Interstate 71 north of Columbus and on I-70 west of the city, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Solar Eclipse 2024 live updates: Ohio traffic begins to slow; several state parks already at capacity

Here's what to know as travelers return following the eclipse:

Live traffic updates: traffic building, crash on U.S. 33 as travelers return south

The slowest travel at 6 p.m. is U.S. 33 between Marysville and Dublin as travelers make their way back to Columbus following the eclipse, according to ODOT.

A crash that blocked an eastbound lane of U.S. 33 in Marysville also was slowing traffic.

Travelers can expect up to a 30-minute delay between Marysville and Dublin along 33, according to ODOT.

Traffic is heavy elsewhere in the region, including the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 west of Columbus and the southbound lanes of I-71 north of I-270. Both areas reported 10-minute delays.

Separately, a disabled vehicle caused backups in the eastbound lanes of I-270 on the South Side, causing delays of about 15 minutes.

There was also a crash that closed the shoulders on I-270 south of Roberts Road that slowed traffic.

ODOT to eclipse travelers: Brace for slow return home

While the pace of traffic to the eclipse has been slow to build, ODOT spokesperson Matt Bruning urged people to prepare for a long return time as everyone who headed to the path of totality tries to get home.

“Patience will be key for sure, if you can stay put the longer you can after the event the easier it will be,” Bruning said. “History is a teacher, and it teaches that is not what happens, everyone leaves and wants to get home at the same time.”

North central Ohio saw slowdowns on routes to eclipse

In addition to heavy traffic on U.S. 33, ODOT's traffic cameras also showed heavy traffic on Ohio 315 near the Franklin-Delaware County line and the Ohio 315 and U.S. 23 interchange. The two left lanes of I-270 west were also closed at State Route 315 south due to a crash.

Traffic along Interstate 71 in Delaware County was also heavy near Alum Creek State Park.

Roadways in Powell near the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium were also seeing increased traffic and slowdowns.

On the East Side of Columbus, a ramp from Interstate 670 to U.S. 62 was closed in both directions due to a crash, but is now reopened.

How to check live traffic, see road cameras in Ohio

The ODOT OHGO website has live traffic updates, as well as access to dozens of traffic cameras throughout the state to make informed traveling decisions before heading out.

ODOT: Do not watch eclipse from side of highway

Bruning also said to be mindful of ODOT and state law enforcement workers, and said it was not legal for drivers to stop on the highway to watch the eclipse.

@Colebehr_report

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