Motion Sickness

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 amusement 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.

Care Advice for Motion Sickness

1. 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.
2. Rest – Lie Down:
   • Have your child lie down and rest. If your child goes to sleep, all the better.
3. Fluids – Offer Sips:
   • Give only sips of clear fluids. Water is best. Do this until the stomach settles down.
4. Vomiting:
   • Prepare for vomiting. Keep a vomiting pan handy.
   • Usually, children don’t vomit more than once with motion sickness.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.

Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.