Motion Sickness in Teens: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

Motion sickness is nausea caused by riding in a car, airplane, train, or boat. It can also cause vomiting, sweating, and headache.

Motion sickness is sometimes called carsickness, airsickness, or seasickness. You can also get motion sickness from playing video games, looking through a microscope, or other activities.

Problems caused by motion sickness usually go away soon after the motion stops. Sometimes it can take a few days for symptoms to go away.

Motion sickness can be treated with either over-the-counter or prescription medicine. The medicines come as pills, a patch, or a shot. Some people try ginger or ginger ale to help nausea. Some people also think wristbands that put pressure on a certain spot can reduce motion sickness.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Sit in the front seat of a car or near the wings when you fly in an airplane.
• Try not to move your head. Keep your head still by pressing it into a headrest.
• On a boat, get a cabin near the middle of the ship. Go outside often to get fresh air.
• When in a car, boat, or airplane, look at one place on the horizon.
• Do not read or watch TV in a moving vehicle.
• Do not eat a big meal before traveling.
• Eat small meals during long trips.
• Try a few soda crackers and a carbonated drink if you feel ill.
• Try ginger, ginger tea, or ginger ale before you travel.
• Try an over-the-counter medicine, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or meclizine (Bonine), about an hour before you travel. These medicines can make you feel sleepy. Do not drive while using them.
• If you get prescription medicine from your doctor, take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.