PWMC Paula Wilson Media Consulting

April 2009

It’s not just an over-indulgence in chocolate that may cause one to feel sick this Easter; for those who suffer from motion sickness the journey to and from the holiday destination can be extremely unpleasant for everyone in the vehicle.

Motion sickness occurs during road, sea or air travel and can affect anyone, although it is most common in children and pregnant women. It is thought to be caused when the brain receives conflicting messages from different parts of the body; for example, if your eyes are fixed on the seat in front, they won’t detect movement, but the body and inner ear will sense the motion of the vehicle. These conflicting messages cause confusion, resulting in nausea, dizziness, fatigue and vomiting. And unlike ordinary tummy upsets, vomiting will not relieve the nausea.

So what can you do to make this holiday a pleasure rather than a pain?

1. Look outside the vehicle or at the horizon.
2. Try Trip Ease, a new homeopathic remedy that prevents the symptoms of motion sickness. Simply chew a Trip Ease tablet before your journey begins and every hour thereafter for relief. Originally developed in New Zealand, Trip Ease is now available at leading pharmacies and health shops throughout South Africa. It is suitable for children and adults.
3. Don’t read, as reading increases the conflict between what the eyes see and the body feels. If you need to look at a map stop the vehicle.
4. Position yourself where you will feel the least movement; the front seats of a car, the middle of a boat or next to the wing of an aeroplane.
5. Breathe fresh air – open the car window or sit on the deck.
6. Ensure your child’s car seat is facing forward, so that they can look out – either through the windows or between the seats.
7. Distract children by singing, chatting, listening to music or playing games that encourage them to look outside, e.g. I Spy.
8. Have a light meal before travel, avoiding fatty, spicy or heavy foods and eat light snacks, such as crackers, during the journey.
9. Hangovers, overtiredness and anxiety can exacerbate motion sickness so get plenty of rest the day before travel.

For further tips and information visit www.tripease.org.