Motion sickness happens when the eyes' messages disagree with the balance organ in the ear: your eye is on a still book while your ear feels the car moving — so the brain sounds the alarm. Children aged 2–12 are the most affected.

In short — what to do

  1. Look far at the horizon — and stop reading and screens immediately.
  2. Sit where motion is least: the front seat of the car, over the wing in a plane, midship on a boat.
  3. Cool air on the face, frequent sips of water, and a light meal before the trip (neither empty stomach nor feast).
  4. For the always-affected: motion-sickness tablets an hour before departure (ask the pharmacist what suits your child's age) — once nausea starts they work far less.
  5. Regular stops on long car trips where children can move and play a little.

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Watch the horizon, drink water, and move your feet every hour on long journeys
Watch the horizon, drink water, and move your feet every hour on long journeys
The full details

To ease motion sickness

  • Look far at the horizon — and stop reading and screens immediately.
  • Sit where motion is least: the front seat of the car, over the wing in a plane, midship on a boat.
  • Cool air on the face, frequent sips of water, and a light meal before the trip (neither empty stomach nor feast).
  • For the always-affected: motion-sickness tablets an hour before departure (ask the pharmacist what suits your child's age) — once nausea starts they work far less.
  • Regular stops on long car trips where children can move and play a little.

Long journeys: dehydration and leg clots

  • Aircraft air is very dry — drink more water than usual and go easy on coffee.
  • Move every hour or two: walk the aisle or pump your ankles and feet while seated — long motionless sitting lets blood clot in the legs.
  • Higher-risk travellers (previous clots, pregnancy, hormonal pills, recent surgery): ask your doctor before long trips — compression stockings may be advised.

After the journey watch for

  • Swelling or pain in ONE leg (especially the calf) — don't massage it; see a doctor promptly.
  • Sudden breathlessness or chest pain after a long trip — a true emergency: 998 now.

Remember

Motion sickness is miserable but innocent and ends with the trip — a swollen painful leg after a long flight is NOT "a muscle cramp": take it seriously.

This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.

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