Treatment

Treatments for motion sickness include certain techniques, supplements and medicines. These tips may help relieve motion sickness:

• Focus on the horizon. You also can focus on a distant stationary object.
• Keep your head still. You can do this by resting your head against the seat back.
• Take an antihistamine. Medicines you can buy without a prescription include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Driminate, others) and meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy, Travel-Ease, others). Dimenhydrinate is safe for children older than age 2. Take these medicines at least 30 to 60 minutes before you travel. Drowsiness is a side effect.
• Consider scopolamine (Transderm Scop). This medicine is available by prescription as an adhesive patch. Several hours before you plan to travel, apply the patch behind your ear for three-day protection. It can cause drowsiness. Also, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning that the medicine can cause overheating. This can lead to complications such as confusion, loss of consciousness, coma or death. Children and older adults are at higher risk of this complication. It's also important to talk with your healthcare professional before using this medicine if you have glaucoma or urine retention.
• Try ginger. A ginger supplement, ginger snaps, ginger ale or candied ginger might help curb nausea.
• Eat lightly. Some people can lessen motion sickness by nibbling on plain crackers and sipping cold water or a carbonated drink without caffeine.
• Wear acupressure bands. Placing these bands on both of the wrists before traveling or after symptoms begin may help with motion sickness. Be sure the bands fit snugly, especially in younger children and infants.