What is it?
Motion sickness happens when your eyes, inner ear and body send different messages to the brain during travel – for example, reading in a moving bus. The brain gets confused, causing nausea and dizziness. People with migraine or inner ear problems can be more sensitive.
Common symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting during bus, car, boat or train travel
- Dizziness, sweating and a pale face
- Headache and tiredness
- Symptoms that continue after the journey ends (this needs a check-up)
How we diagnose it here
- A history of when and how symptoms come
- VNG and other balance tests when symptoms are severe or long-lasting, to look for vestibular migraine or inner ear problems
Tests used: VNG – Videonystagmography Computerised Posturography Vestibular Assessment & Rehabilitation
Treatment options
- Travel tips – sit in front, look far ahead, avoid reading or phone use while travelling, get fresh air
- Medicines before travel, when advised by the doctor
- Habituation exercises (vestibular rehabilitation) for people who suffer often
- Treating any underlying cause, such as vestibular migraine
The right treatment for you is decided by the doctor after examination and tests.
When to seek urgent care
If you have sudden severe dizziness with weakness, slurred speech, chest pain or loss of consciousness, go to the nearest emergency hospital immediately.