Motion Sickness Relief & Treatment

What is motion sickness?

Does the thought of a long car trip make you break out in a cold sweat? Or does just the mere mention of a rocking boat give your stomach a churn? When motion sickness joins you on your journey, it can really take the wind out of your sails.

Motion sickness, or travel sickness, is that unwell feeling that occurs when you’re in a moving vehicle, whether that’s a car, boat, bus, plane, or train. It happens when your senses get muddled – what you are seeing or feeling doesn’t match what you are expecting to see or feel. As well as nausea (that sick feeling in your tummy), this mismatch can also make you sweaty, burp or yawn a lot, headache-y, or even vomit. Learn more about what causes motion sickness here.

Can I prevent this feeling with motion sickness medication?

Yes! Whether they’re called sea sickness tablets, car sickness tablets, or just general travel sickness tablets, there are different medications available that can help prevent motion sickness. When it comes to motion sickness, that old saying that prevention is better than a cure is right on the money! Your best bet is to take action before you travel.

There are two main types that you can get from the pharmacy: antihistamines that make you drowsy (called sedating antihistamines) and one that’s called hyoscine hydrobromide. These medications work by blocking messages being sent to what’s called the ‘vomiting centre’ in your brain. Motion sickness tablets can be taken when your symptoms start, but they are best taken before you travel to stop you from feeling sick in the first place.

When you’re looking for a motion sickness medication for your next trip,  KWELLS^® Travel Sickness Prevention chewable tablets have you covered. They contain hyoscine hydrobromide, which is a type of drug that blocks sensory signals from reaching the part of your brain that triggers vomiting – preventing you from feeling sick.

Suitable for use by adults and children over 12 years old when travelling by boat, car, coach, plane, or train, KWELLS Travel Sickness Prevention tablets may be sucked, chewed, or swallowed. Taken at least 30 minutes before the start of travel, KWELLS Travel Sickness Prevention tablets provide effective protection against motion sickness for up to 6 hours.

For the little ones who get travel sick, there are KWELLS^® Kids Travel Sickness Prevention chewable tablets, suitable for children aged 2-12 years. These can be sucked, chewed or swallowed and should be taken at least 30 minutes before travelling.

Are there natural ways to prevent getting motion sickness?

First of all, a bit of planning ahead could go a long way to smoothing out your journey. Consider the weather – can you avoid travelling when there’s a storm or poor visibility to avoid turbulence or rough seas? Can you start your trip in calm conditions to help get used to the movement of the vehicle? What about the route itself – can you pick a less hilly and twisty turny road to get there?

That all sounds great, but we’re not exactly wizards who can control the weather and there may be only one road to get where you want to go! So what then? Shift your focus to yourself with some simple preparation that can help prevent or reduce symptoms of motion sickness:

• Wear comfortable clothes while travelling.
• Make sure you are well-rested and fed before you leave, but watch out for heavy, greasy foods and drinks that could cause stomach discomfort during your travels.

Are there other ways to relieve motion sickness once it’s started?

If motion sickness strikes and you’ve forgotten to bring your motion sickness medication there are some other things you can try to feel better. The key to relieving or reducing those queasy feelings is to try to limit the mismatch between what you see and what you feel. Here are some things that may help:

• Sit in the part of the vehicle with the least amount of movement, such as the front seat in the car, and always face forward
• Focus on a fixed spot out in front of you, such as the horizon in the distance
• Avoid reading or watching phone or tablet screens while moving
• Try wearing sunglasses, closing your eyes, or even sleeping
• Make sure to get some fresh air and take regular, even breaths

Other natural motion sickness remedies that may help you feel better if you feel unwell while traveling include ginger or vitamin C. Some people may also find relief from motion sickness using something called acupressure – this involves pressing down on a certain spot on the inside of your forearm about three finger-widths up from your wrist towards your elbow.

So whether it’s a family road trip, a romantic sunset cruise, or a round-the-world plane ticket, don’t let motion sickness slow you down. Travel well with KWELLS.

Always read the label and follow directions for use.

Frequently asked questions about motion sickness treatment