Motion Sickness

When to Call for Motion Sickness

Care Advice for Motion Sickness

1. What You Should Know About Motion Sickness:
   • Motion sickness is a common normal reaction that occurs in 25% of people.
   • Caused by increased sensitivity of the inner ear.
   • It is not related to emotional problems or any physical disease.
   • In the future, take a special medicine ahead of time to prevent it.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Rest - Lie Down:
   • Have your child lie down and rest. If your child goes to sleep, all the better.
3. Fluids - Offer Sips:
   • Give only sips of clear fluids. Water is best. Do this until the stomach settles down.
4. Vomiting:
   • Prepare for vomiting. Keep a vomiting pan handy.
   • Usually, children don't vomit more than once with motion sickness.
5. What to Expect:
   • All symptoms of motion sickness usually go away in 4 hours after stopping the motion.
   • As for the future, people usually don't outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.
6. Motion Sickness Medicine - Dramamine:
   • Buy some dimenhydrinate tablets (such as Dramamine) at your drug store. No prescription is needed. In the future, give it to prevent motion sickness.
   • It comes in 50 mg regular and chewable tablets or in 25 mg Kids chewable tablets.
   • Dosage by age: do not use under age 2.
   • 2 to 5 years (12.5 mg): ½ Kids chewable
   • 6 to 11 years (25 mg): 1 Kids chewable
   • 12 and older (50 mg): 1 regular tablet or chewable
   • Give the medicine 1 hour before traveling or going to a fun-park.
   • The tablets give 6 hours of protection and are very helpful.
   • Benadryl can also be used to prevent motion sickness. Use this if you do not have any Dramamine.
7. Prevention Tips for Car Trips:
   • If your child is over 12 years old, sit him in the front seat.
   • Before age 12, have your child sit in the middle back seat. This should help him look out the front window.
   • Have your child look out the front window, not the side one.
   • Discourage looking at books or movies during car travel.
   • Keep a window cracked to provide fresh air.
   • Avoid exhaust fumes from other vehicles.
   • Meals: Have your child eat light meals before trips. Some children can just tolerate crackers and water.
   • Plastic Bags: Always carry a ziplock plastic bag for vomiting emergencies.
8. Wrist Bands - Prevention:
   • Acupressure bands (such as Sea-Bands) are helpful for some adults.
   • There is no reason they shouldn't work for some children.
   • Put them on before car trips or other causes of motion sickness.
   • The pressure button goes over the center of the wrist. Place ½ inch (1 cm) above the wrist crease.
9. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Any symptoms last over 8 hours
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.