Motion sickness, also known as kinetosis or travel sickness, is a condition in which the vestibular system’s sense of movement disagrees with visually perceived movement. An individual might feel fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. Many people, both young and old, experience motion sickness when they are in boats, cars, or when riding on amusement rides. In many cases, the motion sickness will cause an individual to vomit, yet vomiting doesn’t relieve the nausea. There are several different methods for treating motion sickness in adults and children. Some are natural, some are chemical, and others are electronic.

One natural remedy for motion sickness is to look out of a window on a moving vehicle or boat. Look out in the direction of travel and focus on the horizon. This action helps reorient your body’s sense of balance. If you’re in a dark place, try shutting your eyes and sleeping. If that doesn’t work, try chewing. You could chew food or gum to help relieve the nausea related to motion sickness. It also helps to open a window, if possible. Cool, fresh air can relieve the symptoms and help you avoid strong odors that can make the nausea worse.

Many adults and children turn to chemical help for motion sickness remedies. You can purchase prescription medication as well as over-the-counter medication. Some of the medication comes in tablet form, and other types of medication come in different forms such as transdermal patches. Antihistamine medications sometimes help with motion sickness, although they tend to make an individual drowsy.

Some people take ginger crystals or ginger root to calm an upset stomach, although this remedy is controversial. Some scientists believe that ginger has a placebo effect. NASA has done deep research on motion sickness, since it’s an affliction that frequently affects astronauts. They tend to turn toward electronic means, offering LCD shutter glasses with stroboscopic vision to astronauts.