During Holy Week, millions of travelers are traveling through the country’s highways heading to different destinations. For this reason, it is common for some people to experience discomfort during journeys, especially when it comes to long routes.
One of the most common health complaints among vehicle passengers is the popular dizziness, which is sometimes mild and other times can be a real discomfort.
According to the Mayo Clinic in the United States, the feeling of dizziness occurs as a result of the brain receiving “contradictory information”. This is because when vehicles are moving, the ears, eyes and nerves have stimuli that can be confusing.
“Imagine a small child sitting in the back seat of a car unable to see out of the window, or an older child reading a book. The child’s inner ear will feel the movement, but his eyes and body will not. The result may be an upset stomach, cold sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite, or vomiting.”, explains the Mayo Clinic.
That medical institution adds that there is no consensus on the reasons why dizziness that occurs during a car or bus trip affects some people more frequently than others.
In fact, maintains that this medical condition is more frequent in children between the ages of two and 12 and that it appears to be much less common among babies under the age of two.
There are, however, some steps that can be taken to reduce the chances that a child or adult will experience motion sickness while traveling. These can be especially relevant when it comes to people who have already suffered from dizziness in the past.
Among other things, the Mayo Clinic points out that it is important to minimize sensory stimuli, which are the ones that affect the body in the first place. A practical measure is to look at objects, landscapes or animals that are outside the vehicles. This can be better than fixing your attention on cell phones, books, or video games while traveling.
In the case of children, it is recommended to travel at the time they take a nap. This will allow them to fall asleep more easily while the vehicle is in motion.
“Plan meals carefully before your trip,” advises the Mayo Clinic. As he explains, it is crucial that people do not eat abundantly before starting the route.
“If the trip is going to be long or if your child needs to eat, give him a small snack that doesn’t have too much flavor, such as crackers and a small amount of something to drink, before it’s time to go,” says the medical source.
It is also very important to provide adequate ventilation, so that people prone to dizziness can breathe easier. Likewise, it is important that people focus their attention on other things so that the symptoms do not cause them so much discomfort.
Thus, Companions are encouraged to try to distract dizzy adults or children with conversations, music, and other stimuli.
Perhaps one of the most effective measures to avoid the appearance of dizziness during trips is the use of medicines. In these cases, over-the-counter antihistamines that include active ingredients such as Dramamine and Benadryl are used.
“Both are most effective when taken regarding an hour before travel. Read the product label carefully to determine the correct dosage and be aware of possible side effects, such as drowsiness“, points out the Mayo Clinic.
Likewise, it is important that if a person is feeling too dizzy during a journey, they make a stop. To improve symptoms, people can take a short walk or close their eyes and lie on their back for a couple of minutes. The medical source notes that using a cool cloth on your forehead may also help.
