The holidays have a way of inspiring people to get moving. Maybe you’re packing up the car to visit family, catching a flight for a warm-weather escape, planning a cruise, or heading toward the Great Smoky Mountains for a winter adventure. Whatever your plans look like, getting there is part of the experience!
For travelers around Oak Ridge, holiday trips can mean plenty of time on the road before the celebrations begin. And while a favorite playlist, good company, and a few snacks can make the miles more enjoyable, travel sickness can quickly put a damper on the journey.
Feeling nauseated in the car, dizzy on an airplane, or unwell after reaching a high-elevation destination isn’t exactly the holiday memory anyone hopes to bring home. The good news is that understanding what causes different types of travel sickness can help you prepare before you leave.
Travel Sickness Isn’t Always the Same Thing
When people talk about getting sick while traveling, they may be describing several different experiences. Knowing what triggers your symptoms can help you take steps to feel more comfortable.
Motion sickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals about movement from your eyes, inner ears, and body. It can happen in a car, bus, train, or other moving vehicle.
Air sickness is a form of motion sickness that can develop during a flight. Turbulence and other aircraft movement can contribute to nausea and dizziness, especially for travelers who are already sensitive to motion.
Seasickness happens when the rocking and swaying of a boat or cruise ship affects your sense of balance. Even travelers who feel perfectly fine in a car may experience seasickness on the water.
Altitude sickness is different from the other types of sickness. It can occur when you travel to a significantly higher elevation and your body doesn’t have enough time to adjust to lower oxygen availability.
Although the causes are different, some symptoms can overlap. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, headaches, fatigue, and a general feeling of being unwell can all make travel less enjoyable.
Fortunately, there are ways to prepare for each type of journey.
Start Your Road Trip on the Right Foot
A holiday road trip can be part of the fun, especially when you have time to enjoy the scenery and stop along the way. But long hours in the car, winding roads, and staring at a screen in the passenger seat can be a recipe for motion sickness.
Before setting out, think about what has triggered symptoms in the past. If reading in the car makes you queasy, save the book for your destination. If watching scenery fly past the side window makes you dizzy, try looking straight ahead instead.
A few other simple habits may help:
- Choose your seat carefully. Adults who are prone to motion sickness may feel better in the front passenger seat, where they can see the road ahead. Children should always use an age-appropriate car seat or booster.
- Keep your eyes forward. Looking toward the horizon can provide your brain with a steadier visual reference for the movement you’re experiencing.
- Take breaks from technology. Phones, tablets, and books can make nausea worse for some passengers.
- Eat and drink thoughtfully. Choose a light meal or snack before departure and sip water throughout the trip.
- Build in time for breaks. Fresh air and a chance to stretch can make a long drive feel more manageable.
Traveling with children? Keep water, snacks, wipes, and a change of clothes handy. A little preparation can go a long way when someone suddenly starts feeling queasy.
Before heading out on the road, check with the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s SmartWay page to check road conditions and traffic updates to help plan for delays and detours for road construction.
Flying for the Holidays? A Few Small Changes Can Help
Holiday airport days can be busy enough without worrying about nausea once you’re in the air. If you know you’re prone to air sickness, planning ahead can help make the flight more comfortable.
When selecting a seat, consider sitting near the wings, where movement may be less noticeable. Looking out the window toward the horizon can also provide a stable visual reference when conditions allow.
During the flight, support your head against the seat and avoid reading or scrolling if you start feeling dizzy. Some travelers find that cool air from the overhead vent and slow, steady breathing help them feel more comfortable.
It’s also a good idea to eat lightly before boarding and drink water during your trip. Heavy meals and dehydration can make an already unsettled stomach feel worse.
If you’re flying during a busy holiday travel period from McGhee Tyson Airport, give yourself plenty of time to reach the airport and move through the pre-flight routine without feeling rushed. A calmer start to the day can make the journey feel easier from the beginning.
A Cruise or Boat Trip on the Itinerary?
There is plenty to love about spending a vacation on the water, but the movement of a boat or cruise ship can cause seasickness for some travelers.
If you’ve experienced seasickness before, think about preparing before you board. A cabin near the middle of a cruise ship and on a lower deck may experience less noticeable movement. Once you’re underway, spending time outdoors and looking toward the horizon may help your eyes and inner ears better process what your body is experiencing.
Smaller meals and regular hydration can also be helpful. Some travelers use ginger or acupressure products to help manage queasiness, although results vary.
If you’re considering a medication to prevent seasickness, speak with an AFC healthcare professional or pharmacist beforehand to determine whether it is appropriate for you.
Heading to Higher Elevations? Give Your Body Time to Adjust
Mountain trips are a popular way to enjoy winter scenery, outdoor activities, and a change of pace. But if your travels take you to a destination at a significantly higher elevation, it’s important to understand altitude sickness.
Your body needs time to adjust when less oxygen is available. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
When traveling to a high-altitude destination, ascend gradually when possible and give yourself time to acclimate before jumping into strenuous activities. Staying hydrated and paying attention to how you feel can also help you recognize problems early.
Don’t ignore serious symptoms. Confusion, difficulty walking steadily, or shortness of breath while resting can be signs of a medical emergency. Descend to a lower elevation if it is safe to do so and seek emergency medical care.
When Should You Get Medical Care for Travel-Related Symptoms?
Mild motion sickness often improves once the movement stops. However, symptoms that continue after your trip or repeatedly interfere with your ability to travel comfortably may need medical attention.
Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration, particularly if you can’t keep fluids down. Persistent nausea, dizziness, or headaches may also have causes other than travel sickness.
An AFC healthcare provider can evaluate non-emergency symptoms and help determine what may be contributing to the way you feel. However, serious symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, severe confusion, or difficulty breathing require emergency medical care.
If you’re concerned about a non-emergency health issue before your next trip, walk in or book online with AFC Urgent Care Oak Ridge to get started.
Pack Your Bags and Enjoy the Adventure
The destination may be the reason for the trip, but the journey can still be part of the fun. A little planning can help you spend more time singing along to your favorite songs, catching up with family, and looking forward to what’s ahead and less time worrying about an upset stomach.
Whether you’re traveling by car, plane, ship, or heading toward a higher-elevation destination, pay attention to your usual triggers and give yourself time to prepare.
And if a non-emergency health concern comes up before or after your travels, AFC Urgent Care Oak Ridge is here to help.
Here’s to smoother travels, happy reunions, and holiday adventures you’ll remember for all the right reasons!
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