Motion
sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals
from the motion-sensing parts of the body: the inner ears,
the eyes, and nerves in the extremities. Under usual
circumstances, all three areas respond to any motion. When
the signals they receive and send are inconsistent—for
example, if you watch rapid motion on a movie screen, your
eyes sense the motion, but your inner ear and joints do
not—the brain receives conflicting signals and activates a
response that can make you sick. The same thing can happen
when a child is sitting so low in the backseat of a car that
she cannot see outside. Her inner ear senses the motion, but
her eyes and joints do not.
Signs
and symptoms
Motion
sickness usually starts with a vague feeling of stomach
upset (queasiness), a cold sweat, fatigue, and loss of
appetite. This usually progresses to vomiting. A young child
may not be able to describe queasiness, but will demonstrate
it by becoming pale and restless, yawning, and crying. Later
she will lose interest in food (even her favorite ones), and
finally she will vomit.
Causes
We do not
know why motion sickness happens more often in some children
than others, but it is most likely due to an increased
sensitivity to the brain’s response to motion. This response
can be affected by previous car trips that made them sick,
but it usually improves over time.
Motion
sickness occurs most often on a first boat or plane ride, or
when the motion is very intense, such as that caused by
rough water or turbulent air. Stress and excitement also can
start this problem or make it worse.
Not
infrequently, children with a history of motion sickness go
on to develop migraine headaches.
What
you can do
If your
child starts to develop the symptoms of motion sickness, the
best approach is to stop the activity that is causing the
problem. If it occurs in the car, stop as soon as safely
possible and let her get out and walk around. If you are on
a long car trip, you may have to make frequent short stops,
but it will be worth it. If this condition develops on a
swing or merry-go-round, stop the motion promptly and get
your child off the equipment.
She
probably will be upset and scared, so try to help her relax.
Otherwise, what should be a happy time will become a dreaded
experience. Most important, do not get angry with your
child, because she cannot help what is happening. Be as
supportive of her as you can, or she may refuse to travel or
have a temper tantrum the next time you ask her to get into
the car or board a plane or boat.
Since
“car sickness” is the most common form of motion sickness in
children, many preventive measures have been developed. In
addition to frequent stops, try the following.
If none
of the above works, stop the car and have her lie on her
back for a few minutes (still in her lap belt) with her eyes
closed. A cool cloth on the forehead also tends to lessen
the symptoms.
Medications
If you
are going on a trip and your child has had motion sickness
before, you might want to give her medication ahead of time
to prevent problems. Some of these medications are available
without a prescription, but ask your pediatrician before
using them. Although they can help, they often produce side
effects, such as drowsiness (which means that when you get
to your destination your child might be too tired to enjoy
it), dry mouth and nose, or blurred vision. Less common
reactions include skin rashes, blood pressure changes,
nausea, and vomiting. Some children actually become agitated
from these medicines rather than drowsy. Never use the skin
patch–type motion sickness medications on young children.
When
to call the pediatrician
Although
it does not happen often, dehydration can occur from the
vomiting and poor fluid intake that may accompany motion
sickness. If you feel that your child is becoming
dehydrated, take her to the nearest physician’s office or to
an emergency room.
If your
child has symptoms of motion sickness at times when she is
not involved with a movement activity—particularly if she
also has a headache; difficulty hearing, seeing, walking, or
talking; or if she stares off into space—tell your
pediatrician about it. These may be symptoms of problems
other than motion sickness.