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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, September 01, 2008

Minimizing Motion Sickness

Q: Dear Elena: I just got back to work after having my second child. I take the GO train and I have been finding that I have been getting motion sickness feeling that I never had before. Is there anything that I can take to ease this feeling?

A: Some people will experience motion sickness in response to perceived or anticipated movement. Motion sickness typically ends when the motion (or perception of motion) has ended.

Physically motion sickness is caused when there is a conflict between the signals sent from the eyes, inner ear, and the rest of the body. Sometimes the conflict is subtle; for example, when one is inside the cabin of a ship, there may be no visual perception of motion, but the inner ear, which controls balance, detects the rocking of the boat. The symptoms of motion sickness can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, increased salivation, headache, paleness of the skin, and cold sweats.

Fortunately, there may be ways to prevent motion sickness from occurring, or at least control the symptoms of motion sickness. General reduction in stress and anxiety levels will often help with motion sickness. Maintaining proper airflow will often help with odors that add to nausea. Many people have experienced success with distraction techniques. Having light meals and avoiding greasy foods and alcohol prior to travel may help with motion sickness, as will eating foods high in carbohydrates.

Some people who experience motion sickness have had success with the use of herbs. The most effective of these seems to be ginger and some clinical trials have even seemed to support its effectiveness. Other herbs used for motion sickness include black horehound (ballotta nigra) and peppermint. Other people have turned to a variety of other alternative therapies, including acupuncture and massage therapy. Homeopathic remedies have included Borax, Cocculus, Nux Vomica, Petroleum, Sepia, and Tabacum. Using a regular regimen of some of these herbs may help prevent the onset of motion sickness.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist