Just Thinking About Motion Sickness Can Cause It
You’ve heard that your thoughts can be powerful (mind over matter and all that) and when it comes to motion sickness, it’s true.
People who expect to get motion sickness are more likely to get it. That doesn’t mean you should feel bad if you can’t “will” yourself out of being sick, but changing your thought process might help you avoid or minimize symptoms.
Some of Us Are More Likely to Get Sick Than Others
Studies show that virtually all of us will eventually experience motion sickness if exposed to enough motion for a long enough period of time, but some of us have a higher threshold than others. People who are more likely to experience the symptoms of motion sickness include children ages 2-12 years, women (especially pregnant women), and migraine sufferers.
It Could Be A Medication You’re Taking
Several prescription and over-the-counter medications can predispose you or contribute to the symptoms of motion sickness. Since everyone reacts differently, any medication you are taking should be suspect. However, the following medications have been shown to bring on or contribute to the symptoms of motion sickness:
digoxin
levodopa
birth control pills
medications containing estrogen
non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and naproxen
fluoxetine
narcotic pain medications like morphine, oxycodone or hydrocodone
paroxetine
sertraline
aminophylline
some medications used to treat parasites, such as chloroquine
some antibiotics including sulfa, azithromycin, and erythromycin
bisphosphonates, such as alendronate sodium
Individuals taking these medications may want to talk to their doctor about the possibility of changing the time the medication is taken or the possibility of skipping a dose before traveling. Do not skip medications without talking to your physician.