Motion sickness can turn a simple journey from Lagos to Abuja into an uncomfortable experience. For some people, even a short ride can bring nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
The condition happens when your brain receives conflicting signals about movement. Your eyes may tell you that you are sitting still, while your inner ear senses that your body is moving.
This confusion can trigger symptoms within minutes.
Motion sickness is not limited to cars. It can happen on buses, trains, aeroplanes and boats. Some people may even experience similar symptoms when using virtual reality devices.
Although motion sickness is usually temporary, it can make travelling difficult. Fortunately, several practical steps can reduce the symptoms.
Why Does Motion Sickness Happen?
Your brain constantly combines information from different parts of your body to understand how you are moving.
Your eyes provide visual information. Meanwhile, your inner ear contains structures that detect movement and balance.
Your muscles and joints also send information about your body’s position.
Normally, these signals work together. However, problems can arise when they disagree.
For example, imagine reading a book while travelling in a moving car. Your eyes are focused on a stationary page, so they send your brain a signal suggesting that you are not moving.
At the same time, your inner ear detects acceleration, braking and turning.
Your brain receives conflicting information.
This sensory mismatch can trigger the symptoms associated with motion sickness.
The experience can be particularly uncomfortable on Nigerian roads where frequent braking, sharp turns, traffic and uneven surfaces can increase movement inside a vehicle.
What Are the Signs of Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness does not always begin with vomiting.
You may first notice that you feel unusually warm or uncomfortable. Sweating, dizziness and tiredness can follow.
Some people develop a headache or increased saliva production. Nausea may then become more intense and eventually lead to vomiting.
Symptoms can vary from person to person.
A passenger may feel perfectly fine at the beginning of a journey but become sick after spending some time reading or looking at a phone.
The symptoms usually improve when the movement stops. However, some people may continue feeling unwell for a while afterwards.
Children can also experience motion sickness. Parents should therefore pay attention when a child becomes unusually quiet, pale, sweaty or nauseated during a journey.
How Can You Prevent Motion Sickness?
The best way to manage motion sickness is often to prevent it before it becomes severe.
One of the simplest approaches is choosing where you sit.
In a car, sitting in the front passenger seat may help some adults because it provides a clearer view of the road. However, children should follow appropriate safety rules and use the back seat with the correct restraint.
On a bus, sitting near the front may reduce the sensation of movement for some passengers.
On a plane, seats around the middle of the aircraft, close to the wings, generally experience less movement than seats farther back.
Looking outside can also help.
Try to focus on a stable point in the distance rather than reading a book or staring at your phone.
This gives your eyes information that is more consistent with what your inner ear is experiencing.
Therefore, if you already know that you get carsick, consider putting your phone away during the journey.
Fresh air may also make you feel more comfortable. If it is safe, open a window slightly or use the vehicle’s ventilation system.
Avoid strong smells that can worsen nausea. Food smells, perfume, fuel and cigarette smoke may be particularly unpleasant when you already feel sick.
What Should You Eat Before Travelling?
Travelling on a completely empty stomach is not always helpful.
However, eating a very heavy meal immediately before a journey may make nausea worse.
Instead, consider a light meal before travelling.
Simple foods may be easier to tolerate than very oily, spicy or heavy meals. This can be particularly useful before a long road trip.
Also, drink enough water.
Dehydration can make you feel weak or uncomfortable, especially during long journeys in hot weather.
However, avoid drinking excessive amounts immediately before travelling if you are already feeling nauseated.
Alcohol should also be avoided before or during travel because it can worsen dizziness and dehydration.
What If You Start Feeling Sick?
Act as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Stop reading or using your phone. Sit upright and look towards the horizon or another stable point.
Keep your head as still as possible. Closing your eyes may also help some people.
Slow, controlled breathing can help you remain calm while the symptoms settle.
If possible, get some fresh air.
During a road trip, asking the driver to stop for a short break may help. Get out, walk around carefully and allow your body to adjust before continuing.
Do not wait until you are already vomiting before taking action.
Once severe nausea begins, managing it can become more difficult.
Do Motion Sickness Medicines Work?
Certain medicines can prevent or reduce motion sickness. Some are available over the counter, depending on the country and product.
These medicines generally work better when taken before travelling rather than after severe symptoms have already developed.
However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth or blurred vision.
This matters particularly if you are driving.
Never take a medicine for motion sickness without checking whether it is suitable for you. Speak with a pharmacist or doctor if you take other medicines, have an existing medical condition or are unsure about the appropriate product.
Children may also require different doses or medicines, so avoid giving them medication based solely on an adult’s experience.
What About Motion Sickness Bracelets and Special Glasses?
You may see different products advertised as solutions for motion sickness.
These include pressure-point wristbands, special glasses and other devices.
Some people report that such products help them. However, evidence for many of these approaches is less convincing than it is for established preventive measures and medicines.
Therefore, do not assume that an expensive gadget will prevent motion sickness simply because an advert promises it.
Simple measures can often make a significant difference.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Motion sickness is usually harmless and temporary. However, frequent or severe nausea should not automatically be blamed on travel.
Speak with a healthcare professional if you regularly experience dizziness, vomiting or balance problems even when you are not travelling.
You should also seek medical advice if symptoms are unusually severe or do not improve after the journey ends.
For most travellers, however, motion sickness can be managed.
Choose your seat carefully, look outside, avoid reading, eat lightly and stay hydrated. If necessary, discuss preventive medication with a healthcare professional before your trip.
With the right preparation, that long road trip, flight or boat journey does not have to end with your head inside a sick bag.
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