Air sickness (kinetosis) is a common, uncomfortable condition that transforms air travel into a stressful experience for many passengers. This form of motion sickness involves symptoms like cold sweating, dizziness, and intense nausea that can quickly lead to vomiting. Understanding the underlying cause and implementing preventative strategies is the most effective approach to ensuring a smooth journey. This article provides practical steps and remedies to mitigate the effects of air sickness before and during your flight.
The Cause of Air Sickness
Air sickness originates from the sensory conflict theory, a fundamental disagreement within the nervous system. The brain receives conflicting signals from the primary sensory systems responsible for balance and spatial orientation. The inner ear (vestibular system) detects the aircraft’s motion, acceleration, and turbulence.
Simultaneously, the eyes see the stationary cabin interior, signaling to the brain that no movement is occurring. This mismatch confuses the central nervous system, leading to motion sickness symptoms. The brain interprets the conflicting information as a sign of poisoning, triggering the nausea and vomiting response as a defensive mechanism.
Essential Preparation Before Boarding
The right seat choice can significantly reduce the physical sensation of movement. The most stable part of the aircraft is directly over the wings, as this area is closest to the plane’s center of gravity and experiences the least movement during turbulence. If a wing seat is unavailable, selecting a seat toward the front of the cabin is the next best option, since the tail section experiences the largest sway.
A window seat is beneficial because it allows you to gaze at the fixed horizon outside the plane. This visual reference helps re-synchronize the signals sent to the brain, reducing sensory conflict. Before boarding, manage your food and drink intake. Avoid heavy, greasy, or acidic foods, as these exacerbate nausea. Skip alcohol and excessive caffeine, which contribute to dehydration.
Prioritize staying hydrated with water or clear liquids before and during the flight. Finally, addressing pre-flight anxiety is also helpful, as stress can lower the threshold for motion sickness. Using calming techniques or distraction methods before reaching the airport can help keep the nervous system relaxed.
Immediate Techniques During the Flight
Once onboard, focus on minimizing conflicting sensory input to prevent symptoms from escalating. If you have a window seat, keep your gaze fixed on the distant horizon or the clouds, providing a stable visual reference. If you are in an aisle or middle seat, closing your eyes or resting your head against the headrest to limit movement is an effective alternative.
Controlling your breathing can interrupt the physiological stress response accompanying nausea. Practice slow, deep, and rhythmic abdominal breathing, inhaling and exhaling slowly. This technique helps calm the nervous system and manage the feeling of panic that often accompanies air sickness.
Regulating the temperature is another effective action. Direct the overhead air vent so a stream of cool air blows onto your face and neck. A feeling of warmth or cold sweat often precedes vomiting, and cool air provides relief and a powerful distraction. If reading or watching a screen, stop immediately; focusing on close-up objects intensifies the sensory conflict. Instead, listen to music or an audiobook to distract your brain without engaging your vision.
Medications and Natural Remedies
Several pharmacological and natural options exist to prevent air sickness, but they must be taken preemptively. Over-the-counter antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine block nerve signals to the vomiting center of the brain. These must be taken 30 to 60 minutes before the flight, but they often cause drowsiness.
For longer flights, prescription scopolamine patches are available. They are applied to the hairless skin behind the ear at least four hours before travel. The patch slowly releases the anticholinergic drug over three days, blocking the action of acetylcholine in the central nervous system to prevent symptoms. Consult a healthcare provider regarding these options, as they have specific side effects and contraindications.
Among natural remedies, ginger is the most studied and proven alternative, working to calm the digestive system with minimal side effects. Taking 1 to 2 grams of ginger root in capsule form 30 to 60 minutes before the flight is recommended. Acupressure bands are also popular; they apply continuous pressure to the P6 point on the inner wrist, which is believed to interrupt nausea signals traveling to the brain.