Motion
sickness
Symptoms
Drowsiness. Cold sweats. Nausea and
vomiting. Pallor and fainting.
Motion sickness affects many people,
particularly children. Women are more commonly affected than men.
Prevention
-
Lying horizontally.
-
Keeping the head fixed with the eyes on
the horizon.
-
Avoid reading while travelling.
-
Try distraction (e.g. games, toys, music).
-
Avoid a stuffy or smoky atmosphere and
the smell of food.
Medication
An anti-emetic may help. Some anti-emetics
are available "over the counter". A doctors advice should be sought if
the problem is severe.
| Drug
name |
Adult
dose |
Duration
of action |
| Cyclizine
(Valoid) |
50mg |
4 to 6 hrs. |
| Hyoscine
tablets (Scopolamine) |
0.3 - 0.6mg |
4 to 6 hrs. |
| Promethazine
(Avomine) |
25mg |
24 to 30
hrs. |
| Meclizine
(Sealegs) |
25mg |
6 to 12 hrs. |
| Cinnarizine
(Stugeron) |
30mg |
6 to 8 hrs. |
Hyoscine patches
may
be useful for long journeys (e.g. at sea) in those over 10 years of age.
they are normally applied to the skin every 3 days.
source: Scottish NHS www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/General/ |
