Dealing With Headaches

Roughly 50% of those with migraines also are prone to crippling motion sickness. Some medical experts think that, because of the high incidents of migraineurs also having motion sickness, there is a definate link between these two miseries. One of the theories is that low brain serotonin – also a suspect for a cause of clinical depression – is the culprit. So, if you have all three and then have kids, you can pretty much bet the bank that they will at least inherit the motion sickness from you. (”Gee, thanks Mom. Thanks, Dad.”)

Motion Sickness Sucks

Motion sickness and migraine pain are incredibly similar and in me, they are nearly identical. I get extreme pain in one or both eyes, incredible nausea, sometimes shake and sweat and have been told I turn white as a ghost. I also loose focus in my vision and often get extremely sensitive to light, sound and smell. Motion sickness hits people on various levels and severity. Fortunately, there are many inexpensive things you can do to prevent or lessen the severity of motion sickness.

Many animals get motion sickness, too, which is one reason why they scream bloody murder when in a moving vehicle. Cats, horses and dogs seem to be the most affected. There are some anti-motion sickness medications for these animals available from your veterinarian. I personally think some gunea pigs can get motion sick, but I don’t know of any medicines for them that are avialable. Fortuantely, they have enough sense to keep still throughout a car trip if they aren’t feeling their best. Never transport animals in the trunk of your car!!!

• If you know you are prone to motion sickness, take over the counter medicines such as Dramamine (in America) before you start moving. Check the package directions. There are patches as well. The motion sickness medicine I took in England had to be swallowed two hours before the trip. (!) It worked, though!
• Don’t eat a big meal before you travel. Please.
• Peppermints or candied ginger (or ginger nuts) can help ease nausea. For some people, they only need to smell essential oil of peppermint rather than stick a sweet in their mouths. Essential oil of lavender has also been reported to be effective at easing headache and nausea in some people (but not me, sadly).
• Don’t read or watch videos. Doing this will make things much worse.
• Don’t keep turning your head around to look at all the pretty scenery. Pick a point on the horizon straight ahead and keep your head still as much as possible.
• Breathe deeply and get fresh air whenever possible (not recommended on airplanes, though!)
• If somebody complains about you not looking around at the pretty scenery or not “being any fun”, puke on them. (Okay, that was just a joke…)
• If you know you are prone to motion sickness, try to plan your trip so you have time for a rest immediately after you get out of the vehicle. I usually have to lay down in a dark room. I take Excedrin only ater my stomach calms down, otherwise I’d just toss them back up.

One thing about motion sickness that I’ve discovered — gradually your body gets used to longer and longer periods of being mobile before symptoms start. So, if you ride the bus an hour a day and get motion sick, over time (if you ride regularly) your body gets used to moving about for an hour.

Hope this helps!