Summer Road Trip? These Tips Help Avoid Car Sickness

 Don't let car sickness stop you and your family from heading out on the roads this summer. There are preventive measures you can take to help head off the nausea and other ill affects of car travel.

While car sickness most commonly occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 12, it can also affect pregnant women and those frequently suffering from migraines. 

It can be caused by a misalignment between the ear and the eye. The ears sense that the vehicle is moving, but the eyes are focused on the inside of the car and do not sense motion. Those conflicting signals are sent to the brain, resulting in nausea.  

But try these tips, and you might be able to avoid car sickness:

1. Pick the right foods – Prior to and during your trip, eat bland foods. Stay away from greasy, spicy foods and avoid alcohol consumption. Also avoid foods that have caused stomach issues in the past. Take crackers, ginger candy, mints, soda water and ginger ale with you.
2. Focus your vision on the scenery – Reading, watching movies and playing video games can prompt or worsen car sickness. Instead, look outside the car, preferably out the front window. Find something to focus on and train your eyes on that.
3. Take short breaks – Stop the car to give your stomach a break, especially if you begin to feel nausea. Take a short walk and get some fresh air.
4. If you're old enough, sit up front – Front-seat passengers won't get the same level of conflicting signals to the brain. Looking forward is preferable to looking out the side window because the scenery seems to move quicker. But make sure you don't put car seats in the front seat or change rear-facing seats to forward.
5. Use medication – Over-the-counter products such as Bonine, Dramamine or Benadryl can help. If problems persist, you might be able to get a prescription from your doctor.

 Hopefully these tips will work, but if you still experience problems, make sure you have a thick, sturdy bag (barf bag), in case of vomiting. 

 Try a few of these tips on shorter trips to see what's best for you, then progress to longer drives.

Happy motoring!