Preventing Motion Sickness
One reader gives his thoughts on Travel Sickness
Updated: 30 July 2005

Motion sickness, also known as seasickness, carsickness, airsickness, depending on what the sufferer has been travelling in, is a condition in which the endolymph (the fluid found in the semicircular canals of the inner ears) becomes 'stirred up'. This stirred up effect causes confusion between the difference between apparent perceived movement (none or very little), and actual movement. The term ‘travel sickness’ is also used to encompass all of the above sicknesses’.

It can result from lying in the cabin of a rolling boat without being able to see the outside. Nausea is the most common symptom of motion sickness; in fact, nausea in Greek means seasickness (naus=ship). If the motion causing nausea is not resolved, the sufferer will frequently vomit usually within half an hour. What makes it worse is that vomiting does not to relieve the nausea.

When I first started my PPL back in July 2003, I had a awful problem of feeling sick. I vividly remember having my first trial lesson, whilst enjoying loads, the trip from Redhill to Rochester had its down side, that was the feeling like I was about to throw up. It was made worst when I was sitting in the back (I was doing a trial lesson with my best friend) or when a 30 degree bank was carried out. Despite the effect flying had on me I continued with the lessons, I then tried lots of different options in order to curb my motion sickness during my lessons. I have listed these methods here and my experiences using them. I presume there are many more products or solutions available (whether natural or manufactured) so if you or a passenger do experience motion sickness then consider looking around if any of the items listed do not work for you.

Over the counter drugs

When I was suffering from Motion Sickness during my early lessons, I thought to myself, all I need is to take an anti-motion sickness pill before I fly. I tried a couple of different brands, ‘Stugeron’ and ‘Kwells’. I first started taking Stugeron which did help considerably however I had to remember to take two tablets two hours before my lesson! I didn’t always remember to take them; if I did take them just before a flight, rather than 2 hours before, motion sickness could still be experienced (but not as much as if I were to take no tablets).

I then discovered Kwells; you only needed to take these 15 minutes prior to flying. For me, I found that Kwells worked better even than Stugeron and I could take them just before my lesson! Ideal, or so I thought – after 20 hours of lessons I started to question the effect (or side effects) of taking these anti-travel sickness drugs. Stugeron clearly states: “WARNING: May cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink’. I recall getting tired after each lesson which I put that down to being mentally exhausted after an hour of circuits. I then stopped taking them for three reasons: 1) maybe it was these tablets making me feel drowsy 2) I didn’t want to keep taking them and then have some undiscovered side effect that hasn’t yet been experienced by taking the tablets long term and on a regular basis (even though there probably aren’t any I wasn’t taking any chances) and thirdly, 3) I thought that if the CAA were to find out, they could revoke my licence on the basis that I was flying after taking medication.

I then decided to drop the drugs and try a drug free alternative: wrist bands. The Anti-Travel Sickness wrist band are a knitted cotton elastic wrist band, which operates by applying pressure on the 'Nei Kuan' acupressure point on each wrist by means of a plastic stud. Because the bands do not use drugs, they do not cause any of the side effects associated with anti-nausea drugs and can be worn on each wrist whenever you feel nauseous. Apparently there is strong medical support for the product from a wide range of medical organisations and professional bodies and trial results have been published in many leading medical journals. I myself do believe that they work

I stopped using the wrist band as it hindered my ability to wear a watch!

Using Ginger

I then did some research on the Internet and discovered that Ginger had calming effects on a person susceptible to motion sickness. In fact some women take ginger during the early part of a pregnancy to help deal with morning sickness. To date I haven't discovered any side-effects. I had tried several different tablet form and manufactures as well as eating actual ginger root. I experimented with four different variations of ginger (some with differing strengths of ginger content). In the end I found that 'Hofels Ginger Pearls' worked the best. I take one of these in the morning and the powers of the ginger appear to last throughout the day.

PPL Mania top tips on how to prevent travel sickness

Jerky Movements

Sudden jerky movements tend to be worse for provoking motion sickness than slower smooth ones, because they disrupt the fluid balance in the inner ear more. A 'heavy banking' small plane will upset more people than one that is gliding smoothly across the skies, and cars driving rapidly around winding roads or up and down a series of hills. Looking down into your lap to consult a map or attempting to read a book while a passenger in a plane is another big cause of motion sickness. Turbulence is another factor which can increase the effects of motion sickness; unfortunately you don’t have any control on this! That is, unless you chose only to fly on stable days!

Look at the horizon

If you are a passenger who suffers from motion sickness, then try to look ahead (not out to the sides) at the horizon. As you can appreciate the pilot cannot always look at the horizon so this advice is only applicable to passengers.

Don’t drink alcohol the night before

Having alcohol the night before tends to exaggerate the feeling of nausea and only makes it worse! And it isn’t pleasant flying with a ‘hangover’ like feeling. I make sure that I’m tee total for a day or so before I fly.

Have a meal 2 hours before

Some people say don’t eat before you fly – for me I found this if I didn’t eat I felt nauseous quite quickly. I found eating just before a flight is not a good idea but having a reasonable amount of food say 2 hours before the flight does the trick. I guess you can try different things to experiment here, different methods work for different people.

Fresh air - open a window or air vent

If you can, open a window or a vent to allow the cool air in, you will feel better for it.

Always carry a sick bag!

I would suggest even if you do not suffer from motion sickness that you always ensure that you take up with you a sick bag – I heard a story from a fellow student one particular flight school that the student was happily flying and the suddenly the instructor opened the window and threw up, yep you have guessed that there was no sick bag present – I can’t imagine the mess it must have made and the smell for the poor student. But nevertheless, you should always take a sick bag! Just a thought, but why not add this to your pre-flight check list? Remember the all important sick bag!

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