Why do we vomit while travelling by car? Know the surefire way to avoid this problem.

While travelling in a car or a bus, we come across some people who face the problem of vomiting during the journey. Let us tell you why people face the problem of vomiting during the journey.

Often people start vomiting while travelling long distances by car, bus or train. This is commonly called "motion sickness". This problem can happen to anyone from children to adults. Many people ignore it considering it a minor problem, but this experience makes one quite uncomfortable during travel. Let us know why one vomits while travelling and what is the remedy to avoid it.

Why does vomiting occur?

According to medical reports, when we travel in a car or any vehicle, there is a conflict between the vestibular system of our ears (inner ear balance system) and the information sent by our eyes.

• The eyes see that the body is stationary (because we are sitting in the car seat).
• But the ears and brain feel that the body is moving (due to the movement and shaking of the car).

The brain is unable to process this contradictory message and it affects our nervous system. As a result, problems like nausea, dizziness and vomiting begin.

Who faces this problem the most?

• Children and women
• People suffering from migraine
• long haul travellers
• Those whose balance system (inner ear) is weak

What does the research say?

Motion sickness, i.e. vomiting, dizziness or nausea during travel, is a very common problem. According to a report by MedlinePlus Genetics, which comes under the National Library of Medicine, about 1 in every 3 people (about 30 percent people) suffer from motion sickness. That is, if 10 people are traveling together in a car or bus, then 3 of them may have this problem. This figure shows that motion sickness is not a rare problem but a very common condition, on which scientists are constantly doing research. Experts believe that this problem occurs when the signals coming to our brain from the eyes and ears do not match. For example, when we are sitting on the car seat, the eyes see a static scene but the vestibular system inside the ear feels the body in motion. This conflict becomes the cause of motion sickness.

Important things

• Research has also revealed that this problem increases more rapidly in those people who travel while using mobile or reading books.
• At the same time, the possibility of motion sickness in passengers looking out of the window is reduced by 40 percent.

The best way to avoid this

• Look out the window: This gives the same message to both the eyes and ears.
• Avoid using mobile phone and reading books: This increases the chances of vomiting during travel.
• Eat light and less oily food: Avoid eating heavy meals before travelling.
• Consume ginger: Many researches have found that ginger helps in reducing vomiting and nausea.
• Take a deep breath and relax: If the mind and nervous system remain calm, the problem of vomiting will be less.
• Take medicine if needed: Anti-motion sickness medicine can be taken on the advice of the doctor.

What does the doctor say?

Dr. Rakesh Tandon, Gastroenterologist, AIIMS Delhi, says, "Motion sickness is a common problem and there is no need to panic. If it is increasing too much or the patient is vomiting every time while travelling, then the patient should consult a doctor. Sometimes this problem can also be due to inner ear infection or some other medical condition."

That is, vomiting during travel is a normal reaction of the body, but it can be easily avoided by taking some precautions and adopting the right measures.