Motion sickness, also called cinepathy or motion sickness, is linked to travel by car or bus, by boat (seasickness) or by plane (airsickness). In other words, it can manifest itself in all existing modes of transport . The passenger is in principle more affected than the driver. The latter perceives better the movements at the level of his body and his vehicle, which reduces the causes of the affection.
Indeed, motion sickness results from the contrast between the movement recorded by the eyes and the immobility of the body perceived by the vestibule, the organ of balance located in the inner ear. This information is then in opposition. “ Motion sickness stems from a dysfunction between vision and position in space. It's a disconnect between what the brain sees and what it feels,” explains Dr. William Joubert, president of the National Union of Health Professionals (UNPS).
Concretely, the sense of sight perceives a movement when the vehicle takes a bend, for example, when the boat pitches on the waves or when the plane crosses air turbulence. At the same time, the inner ear does not distinguish the movements registered by the eye but, on the contrary, feels an immobility of the body.
Motion sickness may disappear with repeated travel
The opposition of information will initially lead to a certain number of symptoms such as retching, excessive yawning, feelings of nausea . Dizziness, headaches, profuse sweating and vomiting will then occur. “The person affected by motion sickness feels like vagal discomfort . These are the same effects,” says Dr. William Joubert.
Motion sickness would affect around one in three people more or less severely. Children between two and twelve years old are the most exposed to this disorder , which can also appear when they are riding. "We feel motion sickness at all ages of life, especially when we are young until adolescence," says the doctor.
The cinepathy regresses and/or disappears “with practice, repeated trips and after two or three days in the event of a long trip such as a cruise. Some people, however, continue to suffer from the condition into adulthood. “ The hypersensitive, anxious, who want to anticipate everything or focus on this disorder, are more prone to motion sickness than the others ”. As well as people with migraines or who have painful periods.
Tips for managing motion sickness
°When traveling by car, it is better to limit the inconvenience of motion sickness to settle in the front, next to the driver rather than in the back . Children under 10, who are legally required to sit in the back seat, must sit in the middle of the bench seat or near an open window.
°It is also necessary to drive carefully and in a flexible manner to avoid any harm to its passengers, to ventilate the passenger compartment regularly, to maintain a pleasant temperature.
°You should avoid listening to music at high volume, reading or playing with a console or your phone and instead focus on the horizon, a stable point. The important thing is to relax, hold your head well to avoid movement, try to close your eyes and sleep if the journey is long.
°Also to be banned before hitting the road, the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and fatty foods. However, you should not be fasting but take a light snack .
°It is also recommended to stop for a little walk every two hours.
°When traveling by train, it is best to sit in the direction of travel . By plane, preferably choose the middle seat and not the one near the window and if possible a seat at the level of the wings of the aircraft. By boat, it is advisable not to place yourself in height or confined inside during the whole journey.
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