Motion sickness occurs when what we see with our eyes and what our sense of balance reports to the brain do not match.
This type of sensation can easily occur, for example, if you sit and look at your phone while driving on a bumpy, curvy road.
The German Car Owners Association ADAC has produced a list of tips for how to deal with motion sickness.
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You do that for motion sickness in the car
The first thing to think about when you get motion sickness in the car is to keep your head as still as possible, and try to focus on a point on the horizon.
Controlling your breathing is also a way to deal with motion sickness, by breathing in deeply, slowly and regularly. Trying to distract yourself from the nausea, for example with music, as well as taking frequent breaks in the fresh air are also mentioned as potential measures.
If you are a nauseous smoker or snuffer, it may be time to refrain from nicotine during the trip, as acute nicotine withdrawal counteracts motion sickness.
Drinks containing alcohol or caffeine should be avoided. It should also strong smells.
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This is how you prevent nausea
According to ADAC, there are a number of measures that can be taken to avoid motion sickness.
One of these is to postpone the journey until the night, if possible, so that those who easily get motion sickness can sleep. The sense of balance is not activated when we sleep, which means motion sickness cannot occur.
It is also good to be aware of your diet, and not start the journey with too little or too much food in your stomach. It is also recommended to prioritize light food, for example fruit, over fatty and salty food. According to a study, vitamin C tablets have also been shown to be effective against motion sickness.
Foods with a high histamine content, such as many ready-made products, tuna, salami, mature cheese, sauerkraut and red wine, promote nausea.
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Motion sickness medication
ADAC also emphasizes that motion sickness can be prevented medically, and notes that motion sickness tablets should normally be taken between 30 minutes and an hour before the start of the journey.
However, the tablets cause side effects such as fatigue and even vision problems, which means that you should not get behind the wheel yourself. Putting a motion sickness patch behind the ear four to eight hours before the start of the journey can also be a solution.
In case of pregnancy or breastfeeding, however, one should beware of taking medication against motion sickness without consulting a doctor. An alternative method that does not cause the same side effects is to eat ginger root.
ADAC notes that although the information is carefully verified, it does not replace the advice of a doctor.
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