Car sickness can be a condition that negatively affects many people’s travel experience. However, there are a number of practical methods and solutions to alleviate or prevent this situation. Car sickness usually occurs due to balance problems in the inner ear and can cause symptoms such as nausea and dizziness during travel. Paying attention to the air quality in the car can also reduce the discomfort experienced when getting in the car. You can open the window slightly or use the air conditioner to keep clean and fresh air in the vehicle. Fresh air can relieve car sickness by supporting the inner ear and balance system.
Taking advantage of natural solutions can also alleviate car sickness that occurs when getting in the car. Drinking ginger tea or smelling peppermint oil can reduce nausea and dizziness. Keeping your eyes closed and breathing deeply can also help calm you down.
What causes car sickness?
Car sickness is a condition that usually occurs due to disharmony in the balance organs of the inner ear. The inner ear detects information about body movements and sends it to the brain, and when there is a mismatch between this information and visual perception, the person may experience car sickness. The main causes of car sickness may be:
- Inner Ear Problems: Incompatible functioning of the balance organs in the inner ear can cause a conflict between visual perception and information coming from the inner ear, especially when the vehicle moves. This situation may be perceived by the brain as car sickness.
- Incompatibility of Visual Perception and Inner Ear Information: When the vehicle moves, the mismatch between visual perception and balance information from the inner ear can cause car sickness. Especially if a point viewed for a long time conflicts with the movement perceived by the inner ear, the person may experience car sickness.
- Vehicle Movement and Road Conditions: Shocking and bumpy roads, sudden bends or rapid stops and starts can increase the mismatch between the inner ear and visual perception, which can lead to car sickness.
- Bad Weather Conditions: Especially foggy, snowy or rainy weather conditions can challenge the driver’s visual perception and trigger car sickness.
- Air Quality Inside the Vehicle: Poor air quality inside a closed vehicle can increase car sickness, especially if the air conditioning or ventilation system is inadequate.
- Fatigue and Stress: Factors such as inadequate rest, long journeys, stress and tension can increase the mismatch between the inner ear and visual perception.
- Stomach Problems: Stomach problems can trigger car sickness, especially if traveling on an empty stomach or after heavy meals.
Car sickness is usually a temporary condition, but in severe cases or recurring cases it is important to see a healthcare professional. Treatment options may focus on relieving symptoms with inner ear training, medications, or recommendations.
What is good for car sickness?
Car sickness is a condition also known as motion sickness. This occurs because the eye, inner ear and brain perceive movement differently. It can cause symptoms such as car sickness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sweating. For the question of what is good for motion sickness, here are some things that are good for motion sickness:
- Avoid looking outside with your eyes. Instead, close your eyes or read a book.
- Sit in the front seat. This may help you feel the movement of the car better and experience less nausea.
- Don’t travel on an empty stomach. Consume small portions of food and drink.
- Drink sufficient amount of water. Dehydration can exacerbate nausea.
- Do breathing exercises. Deep breathing can help reduce nausea.
- Consume ginger. Ginger is a natural herb that is good for nausea.
- Use prescription medications. Your doctor may recommend prescription medications for car sickness.
How to get rid of car sickness?
You can take several strategies and precautions to deal with car sickness. Methods that can be used to relieve or prevent car sickness:
- Find the correct sitting position in the car. Often looking at the front of the vehicle can increase the harmony between the inner ear and visual perception. You can choose a high sitting position.
- Try to keep your eyes on a fixed point while traveling. Looking straight ahead, especially over long stretches, can improve the coherence of the inner ear and visual perception.
- Open the windows slightly or use the air conditioner to improve the air quality inside the vehicle. Fresh air can support the balance of the inner ear system.
- Breathe slowly and regularly to calm and relax. Deep breaths can reduce nausea and calm the body.
- If possible, choose quiet and flat roads. Shocking roads or sharp bends can increase car sickness.
- Make sure you travel when you are not tired or stressed. Getting a good night’s sleep and hitting the road well-rested can reduce car sickness.
- Drinking enough water before setting off and during travel can support body functions and relieve car sickness.
- Natural remedies such as drinking ginger tea and smelling peppermint oil can relieve car sickness.
- Focusing your eyes on the forward-facing part of the vehicle, if possible, during the trip can increase the harmony of the inner ear and visual perception.
If car sickness persists or worsens, it is important to see a healthcare professional. Inner ear training, medications, or other treatment options may be recommended depending on the person’s condition.
What should be done to prevent car sickness?
You can drink ginger tea before traveling to prevent car sickness. Ginger tea is good for nausea. Additionally, sitting in the front seat if possible, closing your eyes, or reading a slow-paced book while in the car can also prevent car sickness. If you cannot keep the journey time short, taking breaks from time to time is also good for car sickness. You can consume mint candy or gum to relieve nausea while in the car. If you’re experiencing car sickness, you can also:
- Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
- Massage your abdomen to relieve nausea.
- Drink a glass of water.
What foods are good for car sickness?
Car sickness is a condition also known as motion sickness. This occurs because the eye, inner ear and brain perceive movement differently. It can cause symptoms such as car sickness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sweating. Some foods that are good for car sickness are:
- Ginger: Ginger is a natural herb that is good for nausea. If you want to consume ginger for car sickness, you can drink ginger tea or eat candies or cookies containing ginger.
- Mint: Peppermint is an herb that can help relieve nausea. If you want to consume mint for car sickness, you can drink mint tea or chew mint candy or gum.
- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are a source of nutrients that can help relieve nausea. If you want to consume carbohydrates for car sickness, you can consume foods such as crackers, biscuits or fruit.
- This: Dehydration can exacerbate nausea. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water during car sickness.