Motion Sickness Taming the Upsets
MOTION SICKNESS Taming the Upsets
It's one of life's mysteries. Some kids can rocket through the air upside down on amusement park rides, screaming with glee and without a twinge of discomfort, while other kids get pale, clammy, dizzy, nauseated and thoroughly sick just riding in a car.
Some kids, unfortunately, are more susceptible to motion sickness than others. And for parents of kids who are prone to motion sickness, that long vacation trip can turn into a series of roadside stops. Some families don't dare go anywhere without a sickness bag handy.
But what causes the sickness-prone kid to feel this bad? Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting messages from the inner ears (which control balance and equilibrium) and the eyes, says Mark D. Widome, M.D., professor of pediatrics at Pennsylvania State University Children's Hospital in Hershey. A child reading a book in the backseat of a car, for example, will feel the motion of the car but will not see the motion, since her view is focused on the printed page on her lap.
Even babies may experience motion sickness, although they won't be able to tell you about it, adds Robert Mendelson, M.D., a pediatrician and clinical professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. ''If your baby is unusually fussy on long car rides--most babies tend to be lulled to sleep--it could be caused by motion sickness,'' he says.
As unpleasant as motion sickness is, it has no lasting effects. Treatment varies from child to child, and therapies fall into a category that Dr. Mendelson calls WW--whatever works. The WW options may also work if you're traveling in a plane or boat--but car travel is the most common troublemaker. So here are some tactics for the open road.
Crack the window. Fresh air seems to make a queasy child feel a bit better. So open the window a bit on car trips, even if it's cold outside, advises Dr. Mendelson.
Make frequent stops. Since many kids don't get sick during the first 30 minutes or so of a car trip, the more stops you make, the less likely your child will become ill. So stop before you hear the first cry of, ''Mommy, I don't feel so good,'' Dr. Widome advises. '' When you stop, have the child get out of the car to get some fresh air and walk around a bit.
Pass up heavy, greasy meals. A bellyful of greasy French fries or a double cheese pizza is just asking for motion sickness. And once your child is nauseated, points out Dr. Mendelson, the sight or smell of any food may be more than he can tolerate. Carry along some sandwiches, crackers and crunchy vegetables rather than relying on fast food. And avoid any greaseladen meal before the trip begins.
Learn what your child can stomach. Try feeding your child something before one trip and nothing before another, then see which works better. Some children travel better with an empty stomach, while some do better if they've had dry toast or crackers or something to drink, says Dr. Mendelson.
Be glad for that car seat. For young kids, the car seat is not only a necessary safety measure, it's also a great nausea-prevention device. The seat lifts children up higher, and they're always less nausea-prone if they can see out the window, according to Dr. Widome.
Furnish a front row seat. Move the child into the front seat and encourage him to look at cars and buildings far ahead or to look at the horizon. ''This way your child will 'see' the same motion that his body and inner ears 'feel,' '' says Dr. Mendelson. The other advantage of moving up front is that backseats tend to bounce and sway more, which just may be the final straw for an upset stomach. If kids must sit in the backseat and they're beyond the car seat stage, play some roadside games ( like ''I see something green'' ) that get them to look out the window.
Nix the printed word. Reading, playing cards or doing homework in the car can prompt motion sickness. Although books with large pictures and only a few words may be okay, your best bet is entertaining your child with music or stories on a tape recorder, says Dr. Mendelson. If you don't have a supply of tapes at home, you can stock up on music and stories at your public library before a long trip.
Beware of fumes. Cigarette, pipe or cigar smoke can make an already queasy child lose his lunch. But Dr. Widome notes that any perfumes or automobile or bus exhausts can also be offensive to your child. If you're following diesel trucks down a busy highway, adjust the ventilation or air conditioning to keep road fumes out.
Go for the OTCs. Many over-the-counter antinausea medicines such as Dramamine and Marezine may be effective with your child. These products are primarily antihistamines, and many come in children's formulations as chewable tablets or liquids. These are given before the trip.
''Talk to your pediatrician to find out if one of these is appropriate for your child and what dosage to give,'' says Dr. Mendelson. These work for many children but may make your child drowsy. Never give your child an antinausea medication without a doctor's approval, especially if the child is taking any other medication, because the drugs could interact and cause problems.
Try a syrupy solution. Emetrol is another over-the-counter medication that's sometimes helpful, says Dr. Mendelson. It contains the essence of coke syrup, that time honored remedy from years ago, and it won't make your child drowsy as the antihistamine-type drugs do. ''I recommend giving it to susceptible children just before getting in the car and then giving them a small dose every 15 to 20 minutes while en route,'' says Dr. Mendelson.
Scopolamine is a no-no. Even if you have a scopolamine patch on hand, under no circumstances should a child be allowed to use it. (A scopolamine patch is an antinausea skin patch available by prescription only.) ''These are meant strictly for adults,'' warns Dr. Widome. Scopolamine has side effects that may be tolerable for adults, but not for children.
Be prepared. No matter what treatment you try, it's best to be prepared, says Dr. Widome--and sometimes just knowing that you're ready for the worst can help calm a nauseated child. Have a supply of sturdy plastic bags for emergencies, plus a damp washcloth in a plastic bag for cleanups and a fresh change of clothing for your distressed child.
