Motion & Seasickness Therapy

Worried about feeling unwell when you travel?

Feeling queasy on boats, planes, cars or theme park rides is very common. Motion sickness (including seasickness) has been recognised for centuries and affects people of all ages.

For some, it’s a mild inconvenience. For others, it can spoil holidays, cruises or fishing trips altogether. The good news is there are ways to help manage symptoms so you can feel more comfortable when travelling.

What causes motion and seasickness?

Motion sickness happens when the signals from your eyes, inner ears and muscles don’t match. For example:

• on a boat, your inner ear senses movement, but your eyes might be focused on the cabin
• in a plane, you feel the motion but don’t see the ground moving
• after a long sea trip, you might still feel like you’re moving even once you’re back on land

When your brain receives these mixed messages, it can trigger symptoms of motion sickness.

Your inner ear (vestibular system) plays a big role in balance, but your brain also takes information from your eyes, skin and muscles. When these messages conflict for long enough, motion sickness can result.

Who can be affected?

Anyone can experience motion sickness, but it tends to be more common in:

• children
• pregnant women
• people who get migraines
• those with a history of motion sensitivity

It’s not contagious and often improves once the motion stops.

Common symptoms

Motion or seasickness can come on quickly and may include:

• nausea or vomiting
• cold sweats
• dizziness or feeling “wobbly”
• pale or clammy skin
• loss of appetite
• headache, tiredness or shallow breathing

Symptoms usually settle once the movement stops, but for some people they can linger for a short time afterwards.

Simple tips that may help

For many people, symptoms improve as their body adapts to the movement. Some strategies that may help include:

• Look at a stable point – on a boat, focus on the horizon; in a car, look ahead through the windscreen
• Choose your seat carefully – over the wing on a plane, mid-ship on a boat, or the front seat in a car can sometimes feel more stable
• Get some fresh air – if possible, sit near a window or spend time on deck
• Avoid heavy meals and alcohol before travelling; aim for light, regular snacks instead
• Avoid reading screens or books when in motion
• Use relaxation techniques such as slow deep breathing or gentle distraction

Always stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down if you feel very unwell.

Natural approaches some people use

Some people report benefit from non-medicine options such as:

• ginger – in food, teas or supplements
• peppermint – as lozenges or aroma
• acupressure wristbands – designed to stimulate a pressure point on the inner wrist

Evidence for these options is mixed and they don’t work for everyone, but they may be worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist as part of a wider plan.

When medicines may be considered

If motion sickness is frequent or severe, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend medicines that are specifically used for motion-related nausea and dizziness.

These medicines are usually taken before travel (for example, a couple of hours before a boat, plane or car trip) and may help reduce the likelihood or severity of symptoms in some people. Like all medicines, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness or dry mouth, and they are not suitable for everyone.

Always:

• follow the directions on the label
• check with your pharmacist about interactions with your other medicines
• ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice in pregnancy, when breastfeeding, or for children

Seasickness capsules from National Custom Compounding

National Custom Compounding supplies a pharmacist-only sea travel capsule formulated for motion-related nausea and seasickness, which can be used under the guidance of a pharmacist or doctor as part of your travel plan.

These capsules are designed to:

• be taken before travel, as directed on the label
• be used alongside non-medicine strategies like seat choice, fresh air and light meals

Because they are pharmacist-only, our team will ask you a few questions to make sure they are appropriate, especially if you:

• take other prescription or over-the-counter medicines
• have existing medical conditions
• are pregnant, breastfeeding, or seeking advice for a child

You can read more about our sea travel capsules, including pack options and pricing, on our product page: Sea Sickness Travel Capsules

Always follow the directions for use and seek advice from your pharmacist or doctor if symptoms persist, worsen or recur.

When should I see a doctor?

Most motion sickness settles once the journey is over. You should seek medical advice promptly if you:

• continue to vomit or can’t keep fluids down
• remain very dizzy or unsteady
• develop a severe headache, hearing changes or chest pain
• notice new or worsening symptoms after travel

Your GP can help rule out other causes of dizziness or nausea and advise whether further tests or treatments are needed.