Motion sickness 

Motion sickness is a general term for an unpleasant combination of symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting, that can occur when you are travelling.

See Motion sickness - symptoms for more information.

In most cases, symptoms of motion sickness improve as your body adapts to the conditions causing the problem.

For example, if you have motion sickness on a cruise ship, your symptoms may improve after a couple of days. However, some people do not adapt and have symptoms until they leave the environment that is causing them.

What causes motion sickness?

Motion sickness is thought to occur when there is a conflict between what your eyes see and what your inner ears, which help with balance, sense. Your brain receives a jumble of contrasting information, which is thought to bring on the symptoms of motion sickness. See Motion sickness - causes for more information.

Treating motion sickness

Mild symptoms of motion sickness can usually be improved with self-care techniques, such as closing your eyes and distracting yourself by listening to music.

More serious symptoms of motion sickness can be treated with medication. Hyoscine is a medicine that is widely used to treat motion sickness and has a good track record.

See Motion sickness - treatment for more information.

How common is motion sickness?

It is thought that everyone can potentially get motion sickness, but that some people are more vulnerable than others.

For example, almost everyone on a ship in very rough seas would be expected to have motion sickness. However, about 3 out of 10 people may also have symptoms of motion sickness regularly on journeys by road, sea or air.

Women are more likely to get motion sickness than men, particularly if they are pregnant or having their period. People who are affected by migraines may be more likely to experience motion sickness, and are also more likely to have a migraine at the same time as motion sickness. 

Motion sickness is also more common in children who are 3 to 12 years of age. After this age, most teenagers grow out of motion sickness.