Car Sickness: What is it and how can you prevent it

Anyone who's ever suffered from travel sickness will know how debilitating it can be, and how quickly it can derail a road trip. Take a closer look at what car sickness is, how to treat it and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

What it is

Motion sickness is a common disturbance of the inner ear caused by a repeated motion, often experienced when travelling by car, plane or boat. Changes in balance and equilibrium affect the inner ear and can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and a general sense of feeling unwell. Motion sickness can also be due to a disconnect between what the body feels and what the eyes see.

What causes it and how to prevent it

Interestingly, your car tyres may be having an impact on how well you feel when travelling in a car. Poorly balanced, aligned or underinflated tyres can make a ride more uncomfortable, and constant bumps in the road can upset your stomach. A good car service centre should be able to get your tyres road-ready.

Moving around too much and facing away from the direction the car is travelling in can also increase your likelihood of getting sick. Choose an elevated seat where you get a clear view of the road in front of you and roll down the windows to get fresh air as you drive. Don't read or watch movies as you travel.

Natural remedies like ginger are said to ease motion sickness symptoms, so you may want to travel with ginger sweets or biscuits to help feel better on the road. Over the counter medications can also help, whether taken before travelling or during.

Avoid eating a big meal before you go and steer clear of strongly flavoured or greasy foods. If all else fails and you still feel sick on the road, pull over for a brief walk in the fresh air and let your stomach settle.