Motion sickness is an unpleasant condition that most often occurs while traveling in vehicles. It is particularly common in children aged 4 to 10. It typically arises when traveling by car, bus, train, boat, or airplane. Naturally, the summer holidays—when children often travel—are a period when these difficulties are most likely to appear.

Motion sickness does not occur during natural movement such as walking or running. However, if symptoms appear even during such activities, it is important to undergo a medical examination, as the cause may be an underlying health condition.

The human body is equipped with a system that maintains balance. This system consists of sensory organs: vision, the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear (which perceives changes in body position), and hearing. These sensory organs gather information, which is then processed in the brain. When there is a conflict between signals from different sensory inputs, unpleasant sensations and symptoms can develop—this is what we call motion sickness.

In motion sickness, a mismatch occurs between visual information—for example, the stable view in front of a passenger inside a vehicle—and vestibular information about horizontal and vertical movement. The brain’s balance center finds it difficult and sometimes confusing to process these conflicting signals. Motion sickness can also occur in the opposite situation, when the body is stationary but we observe movement, such as water flowing under a bridge we are standing on or during a 3D movie in a cinema.

Some people can fully cope with this sensory conflict, some only partially, and others not at all. So how can we prevent motion sickness?

Non-Pharmacological Preventive Measures

Rest and get enough sleep before traveling.Eat a light meal before the trip, avoiding chocolate, cheese, and smoked meats.

• Avoid carbonated drinks.
• Choose and reserve a seat in the vehicle carefully: In a car, the front passenger seat is best, where travelers can watch the horizon ahead (children must meet the age and height requirements or use an appropriate car seat); in a bus, sit in areas with the least movement caused by suspension—not above the wheels or in the back, but ideally in the front seats with a clear view ahead; in a train, face the direction of travel; in a plane, sit in the front third of the cabin; on a boat, choose the middle third on a lower deck, ideally with a view out of a window.
• Close your eyes during the journey (to eliminate conflicting visual stimuli), or travel at night, which makes it easier to sleep through the trip.
• Focus on something other than the discomfort—sing with children or play word games.
• Avoid reading, using mobile phones, or tablets during the journey (to prevent fixating your eyes on a single point).
• Ensure a comfortable environment in the vehicle (good ventilation, lower temperature, air circulation).
• Take frequent breaks during the trip to walk around and get physical activity.
• Carry an opaque, sturdy bag and wet wipes in case preventive measures fail.
• If possible, avoid using the mode of transport that triggers motion sickness.

Pharmacological Preventive Measures

• Kinedryl: Take 60 minutes before travel; for long trips, it can be repeated every 3 hours.
• Promethazine: Has a calming (sedative) effect and helps the traveler sleep through the journey.
• Travel Gum: A chewing gum for preventing and treating motion sickness in adolescents from 15 years of age and adults. The active substance is absorbed through the oral mucosa. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Chew for 10 minutes, 15–30 minutes before traveling, then discard. If symptoms still occur, another piece of gum can be used—but not more than once every 6 hours.

Natural remedies such as ginger preparations (e.g., ginger candies or ginger gum) can also be used to help prevent motion sickness.