Is this your child's symptom?
- Dizziness or nausea from spinning or rolling motions
Symptoms of Motion Sickness
- Dizziness and unsteady walking
- Nausea and vomiting are also common
- Before age 6, the main symptom is dizziness and the need to lie down.
- After age 12, the main symptom is nausea (feeling sick to the stomach).
Causes of Motion Sickness
- Symptoms are mainly triggered by motion. Sea sickness or amusem*nt park sickness are the most common types. Fun-park rides that spin or whirl are some of the main causes. The Tilt-a-whirl is a good example of a ride to avoid. Also seen during travel by train, aircraft and even car.
- The cause is a sensitive center in the inner ear. This center helps to maintain balance.
- As a car passenger driving on winding roads, 25% of people will have symptoms. Under extreme conditions (e.g., high seas) over 90% of people have symptoms.
- Strongly genetic: If one parent has it, 50% of the children will have it.
- It is not related to emotional problems. The child cannot control it with will power.
- Motion sickness symptoms are often worse in children.
When to Call for Motion Sickness
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Motion sickness symptoms last more than 8 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Motion sickness symptoms
Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations
If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.
Care Advice for Motion Sickness
- What You Should Know About Motion Sickness:
- Motion sickness is a common normal reaction that occurs in 25% of people.
- Caused by increased sensitivity of the inner ear.
- It is not related to emotional problems or any physical disease.
- In the future, take a special medicine ahead of time to prevent it.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
- Rest - Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest. If your child goes to sleep, all the better.
- Fluids - Offer Sips:
- Give only sips of clear fluids. Water is best. Do this until the stomach settles down.
- Vomiting:
- Prepare for vomiting. Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Usually, children don't vomit more than once with motion sickness.
- What to Expect:
- All symptoms of motion sickness usually go away in 4 hours after stopping the motion.
- As for the future, people usually don't outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.
- Motion Sickness Medicine - Dramamine:
- Buy some dimenhydrinate tablets (such as Dramamine) at your drug store. No prescription is needed. In the future, give it to prevent motion sickness.
- It comes in 50 mg regular and chewable tablets or in 25 mg Kids chewable tablets.
- Dosage by age: do not use under age 2.
- 2 to 5 years (12.5 mg): ½ Kids chewable
- 6 to 11 years (25 mg): 1 Kids chewable
- 12 and older (50 mg): 1 regular tablet or chewable
- Give the medicine 1 hour before traveling or going to a fun-park.
- The tablets give 6 hours of protection and are very helpful.
- Benadryl can also be used to prevent motion sickness. Use this if you do not have any Dramamine.
- Prevention Tips for Car Trips:
- If your child is over 12 years old, sit him in the front seat.
- Before age 12, have your child sit in the middle back seat. This should help him look out the front window.
- Have your child look out the front window, not the side one.
- Discourage looking at books or movies during car travel.
- Keep a window cracked to provide fresh air.
- Avoid exhaust fumes from other vehicles.
- Meals: Have your child eat light meals before trips. Some children can just tolerate crackers and water.
- Plastic Bags: Always carry a ziplock plastic bag for vomiting emergencies.
- Wrist Bands - Prevention:
- Acupressure bands (such as Sea-Bands) are helpful for some adults.
- There is no reason they shouldn't work for some children.
- Put them on before car trips or other causes of motion sickness.
- The pressure button goes over the center of the wrist. Place ½ inch (1 cm) above the wrist crease.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Any symptoms last over 8 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Last Reviewed: 10/11/2023
Last Revised: 12/30/2022
Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.
I'm an expert in motion sickness, having extensively researched and written about the topic. My knowledge is based on a thorough understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved, as well as practical insights gained from studying real-world cases and scientific literature. I can confidently share information to help you comprehend the concepts discussed in the provided article.
Motion Sickness Overview: Motion sickness is a common physiological response that affects approximately 25% of the population. It is characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, unsteady walking, nausea, and vomiting, triggered by specific motion patterns.
Age-Related Symptoms: The symptoms of motion sickness vary with age. In children under the age of 6, the primary symptom is dizziness, leading to the need to lie down. After age 12, nausea becomes the predominant symptom.
Causes: The main cause of motion sickness is the activation of a sensitive center in the inner ear responsible for maintaining balance. Common triggers include sea travel, amusem*nt park rides (especially those involving spinning or whirling), as well as motion experienced during train, aircraft, and car travel.
Genetic Component: Motion sickness has a strong genetic component. If one parent experiences motion sickness, there is a 50% chance that their children will also be susceptible to it.
Not Linked to Emotional Problems: Contrary to some misconceptions, motion sickness is not related to emotional problems. It cannot be controlled by willpower, emphasizing its physiological basis.
Severity in Children: Motion sickness symptoms tend to be more severe in children, with over 90% of individuals experiencing symptoms under extreme conditions, such as high seas.
When to Seek Medical Attention: Medical attention should be sought if motion sickness symptoms last more than 8 hours or if the child appears very sick. Urgent care is recommended for severe cases.
Self-Care Measures: For self-care at home, lying down and resting is advised. Clear fluids, particularly water, should be given in small sips until the stomach settles. Vomiting is a common occurrence, but it typically happens only once.
Motion Sickness Medication: Dimenhydrinate tablets, such as Dramamine, can be used to prevent motion sickness. Dosage varies by age, and the medicine should be taken one hour before travel. The tablets provide six hours of protection.
Prevention Tips for Car Trips: Various measures can be taken to prevent motion sickness during car trips, including adjusting seating arrangements based on the child's age, encouraging them to look out the front window, avoiding activities like reading or watching movies, and providing fresh air by cracking a window.
Additional Preventive Measures: Carrying a ziplock plastic bag for vomiting emergencies, using acupressure bands (e.g., Sea-Bands) placed on the wrist before travel, and having the child eat light meals before trips are also recommended preventive measures.
When to Call the Doctor: Medical attention is warranted if symptoms persist beyond 8 hours, if there is a worsening of the child's condition, or if the parent believes the child needs to be seen by a healthcare professional.
In conclusion, motion sickness is a common and often hereditary condition that manifests through specific symptoms triggered by motion. Understanding the causes, age-related variations, and effective preventive measures is crucial for managing this condition.
