Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Symptoms usually start within minutes of travel and ease soon after the movement stops.

Early signs

• Feeling uneasy, tired or yawning
• Cold sweat and a pale face
• Increased saliva
• A slight headache
• Loss of interest in food

Main symptoms

• Nausea and dizziness
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Stomach discomfort or bloating
• Headache and a feeling of fullness in the head
• Rapid breathing
• Drowsiness

In children

Young children may become very quiet, pale, irritable or sleepy before vomiting. They may not be able to say what is wrong.

How long it lasts

Symptoms normally fade within a few hours of stopping travel. Some people feel tired or off for up to a day, especially after sea travel. Rarely, a feeling of rocking continues for days after a long voyage, called mal de debarquement.

When to see a doctor

• Symptoms continue for more than a day after travel stops
• Repeated vomiting leads to dehydration, with dry mouth, little urine or dizziness on standing
• There is severe or unusual headache, fever or ear pain

Go to emergency (112 or 102) if

There is sudden severe vertigo with weakness, slurred speech, double vision, trouble walking, chest pain or fainting. These are not motion sickness.

Ayurvedic view

Dizziness with nausea is described under Vata-Pitta conditions in traditional texts. This is interpretive and does not replace medical advice.

Remember

Most motion sickness is mild and passes once the movement stops. Plan ahead, stay hydrated and see a doctor if symptoms are severe or last more than a day.