How does meclizine help with vertigo and dizziness. What are the recommended dosages for meclizine. What are the potential side effects of meclizine. When should you consult a doctor before taking meclizine. How does meclizine compare to other vertigo treatments.

Understanding Meclizine: A Powerful Ally Against Vertigo and Dizziness

Meclizine, also known by its brand name Dramamine II, is a widely used medication for treating vertigo, dizziness, and motion sickness. As an antihistamine, it works by reducing the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. But how effective is it for managing these disorienting symptoms?

Vertigo and dizziness can significantly impact daily life, affecting work performance, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Meclizine offers a potential solution for many sufferers, providing relief from the spinning sensations and nausea often associated with these conditions.

How does meclizine work?

Meclizine primarily acts on the vestibular system, the part of the inner ear responsible for balance and spatial orientation. By blocking certain histamine receptors, it helps reduce the intensity of vertigo symptoms and the associated nausea. This mechanism makes it particularly effective for various forms of vertigo, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Ménière’s disease.

Meclizine Dosage: Finding the Right Balance

The appropriate dosage of meclizine can vary depending on the severity of symptoms and individual factors. Typically, the recommended dose ranges from 25 to 100 mg per day, divided into one to four doses. However, it’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions or the package directions carefully.

• For vertigo: 25-100 mg daily, in divided doses
• For motion sickness prevention: 25-50 mg 1 hour before travel
• For ongoing dizziness: 25-100 mg daily, as directed by a physician

Is it safe to take meclizine long-term? While meclizine is generally considered safe for short-term use, long-term usage should be monitored by a healthcare professional. Some individuals may develop tolerance or experience side effects with prolonged use.

Side Effects and Precautions: What You Need to Know

Like all medications, meclizine can cause side effects. While most are mild and temporary, it’s important to be aware of potential adverse reactions:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Headache

In rare cases, more serious side effects may occur, such as confusion, difficulty urinating, or rapid heartbeat. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, seek medical attention immediately.

Who should avoid meclizine?

Certain individuals should exercise caution or avoid meclizine altogether:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with glaucoma
• Those with liver or kidney disease
• Individuals with breathing problems or chronic lung disease

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting meclizine, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking other medications.

Meclizine vs. Other Vertigo Treatments: A Comparative Analysis

While meclizine is a popular choice for vertigo and dizziness, it’s not the only option available. How does it stack up against other treatments?

1. Betahistine: Often used for Ménière’s disease, betahistine may have fewer side effects but can be less effective for some types of vertigo.
2. Dimenhydrinate: Another antihistamine, similar to meclizine but with a shorter duration of action.
3. Ginkgo biloba: A natural remedy that may help with vertigo, but scientific evidence is limited.
4. Vestibular rehabilitation: Non-pharmacological therapy that can be highly effective, especially when combined with medication.

Does meclizine work better than other antihistamines for vertigo? While individual responses can vary, meclizine is often preferred due to its longer-lasting effects and potentially fewer side effects compared to some other antihistamines.

Lifestyle Adjustments: Complementing Meclizine Treatment

While meclizine can be effective in managing vertigo and dizziness, combining medication with lifestyle changes can lead to better outcomes. Consider implementing these strategies:

• Maintain good hydration
• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Ensure adequate sleep
• Avoid triggers like certain foods or rapid head movements
• Incorporate balance exercises into your routine

Can lifestyle changes alone manage vertigo symptoms? For some individuals with mild symptoms, lifestyle modifications may be sufficient. However, many people find that a combination of medication and lifestyle changes provides the most comprehensive relief.

Meclizine for Workplace Dizziness: A Potential Solution

Many individuals experience dizziness at work, particularly those who spend long hours at a desk or in front of a computer. While ergonomic adjustments and regular breaks are crucial, meclizine can offer additional relief for those struggling with persistent symptoms.

How can meclizine help with workplace dizziness?

Meclizine’s long-lasting effects make it suitable for managing dizziness throughout the workday. Its ability to reduce vertigo symptoms without causing excessive drowsiness (when used as directed) can help maintain productivity. However, it’s essential to be aware of potential side effects and consult with a healthcare provider before using meclizine for work-related dizziness.

Long-Term Management: Integrating Meclizine into Your Vertigo Treatment Plan

For individuals with chronic vertigo or recurrent dizziness, developing a comprehensive long-term management strategy is crucial. Meclizine can play a significant role in this plan, but it should be part of a broader approach to treatment.

What does a comprehensive vertigo management plan look like?

• Regular medical check-ups to monitor symptoms and adjust treatment
• Combination of medication (such as meclizine) and non-pharmacological therapies
• Lifestyle modifications to reduce triggers and improve overall health
• Vestibular rehabilitation exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness
• Psychological support to manage the emotional impact of chronic vertigo

Is it possible to overcome vertigo completely? While complete resolution of vertigo is not always achievable, many individuals can significantly reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life with proper management and treatment.

Understanding the Limitations: When Meclizine May Not Be Enough

While meclizine is effective for many people, it’s important to recognize that it may not be the ideal solution for everyone. In some cases, vertigo and dizziness may be symptoms of underlying conditions that require different treatments.

When should you seek alternative treatments?

• If meclizine doesn’t provide sufficient relief after a reasonable trial period
• When vertigo is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like hearing loss or neurological issues
• If side effects of meclizine outweigh its benefits
• When the cause of vertigo is determined to be something that meclizine can’t address effectively

Remember, persistent or severe vertigo should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out serious underlying conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.

Meclizine offers a valuable option for managing vertigo and dizziness, providing relief for many individuals struggling with these disorienting symptoms. Its effectiveness, coupled with a relatively low side effect profile, makes it a popular choice among both patients and healthcare providers. However, like any medication, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The key to successful vertigo management often lies in a personalized approach, combining medication with lifestyle adjustments and other therapies as needed. By working closely with your healthcare provider and staying informed about your treatment options, you can develop a comprehensive strategy to effectively manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Why Am I Dizzy at Work?

Have you ever felt dizzy during a busy day at your desk at work? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find they feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous at their desk, especially after long hours of intense work.

Common causes of dizziness at your desk

Sometimes there may be underlying medical reasons for your dizziness, but oftentimes, something in the workplace may be causing your dizziness and nausea. Common causes of dizziness at your desk include:

• Focusing on your computer monitor for long periods of time
• Shifting your eyes (and work) between multiple monitors
• Being too close when looking at a large computer screen
• Switching between screens frequently—laptop, phone, tablet
• Working under lighting that flickers (whether you see the flicker or not) or is too dim or too bright
• Consuming too much caffeine

If your dizziness is associated with working on your computer, we have some tips that can help:

Ask for an ergonomic checkup.

Many businesses offer their employees ergonomic evaluations of their workspace and accessories that can help prevent muscle strain, eye strain and repetitive use injuries. Your dizziness could be due to poor posture and muscle tightness. When we sit at our desks using our computers for long periods of time, even when we start off with good posture, we have a tendency to hunch over to get closer to the screen and raise our shoulders as we type. Our head and neck often end up in positions that can cause muscle tightness and strains that can lead to pain, headaches and dizziness.

If your company doesn’t offer ergonomic evaluations, take time to assess your posture in relation to chair height, desk height and computer and monitor positions. Adjust your workspace accordingly to help you stay in proper form and see if there are accessories available through your work that can help—like an adjustable platform for your monitors.

You might also consider making an appointment with an eye doctor to make sure a change in vision or eye health isn’t contributing to your symptoms.

Take breaks or posture check-ins.

Set your alarm on your cellphone or smartwatch if you need reminders to take quick breaks. You may not be able to walk away from your desk, but you can take a few minutes to stand up, stretch out, look out at something outside of your workspace. Schedule these short breaks at least once every hour and, when you sit back down, make sure your posture is optimally aligned with your chair and desktop. If you spend long hours looking at a computer screen, be sure to look up and out to refocus your eyes on something off in the distance for at least 10 seconds or more. Do this regularly throughout the day.

Breathe.

That’s right, breathe. When we’re stressed or intensely focused on something, like a project at work, our breathing can become more shallow and some people even hold their breath without realizing it. Breathe mindfully throughout the day. If you feel your shoulders tightening or rising, breathe deeply and relax. If your head starts feeling tense as if a headache is coming on, take four seconds to inhale and four seconds to exhale and repeat five times to reset your breathing back to normal and get needed oxygen back through your body and brain.

Adjust your lighting. 

Office lighting is a common contributor to headaches, dizziness and eye strain. Fluorescent lighting is known for triggering headaches and dizziness because of its flicker rate. Most of us know the flicker of a dying or loose fluorescent bulb, but that flicker is always there. When the light is functioning properly, our eyes may not see the flicker but our brain can pick up on it. See if you can bring in a desk or table lamp from home and have someone turn off the fluorescent light over your desk. (This can be done simply by twisting the bulbs until they go off.)

Working in a dark space or room while looking at a bright computer screen can also cause headaches and dizziness. Other lighting may be too bright or too dim or a color that triggers a reaction. Light sensitivity can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, so be sure to talk to your doctor as well, especially if you’re experiencing frequent dizziness.

Prevent and Relieve Dizziness with Dramamine®-N.

Dramamine®-N Long Lasting Formula helps provide up to 24 hours of prevention and relief from dizziness, nausea and vomiting. It’s the same brand you trust for motion sickness relief, formulated to prevent and treat nausea and dizziness from everyday activities like working at your desk. Check with your doctor first to see if it’s right for you.

Meclizine for Vertigo and Dizziness Treatment, Let’s Talk About

Let’s spend a few weeks talking about meclizine. Most patients complaining of dizziness or vertigo have been given a prescription for meclizine at some point. For a medication that is so widely used, there is very little solid information or recent research to back this up.

Meclizine goes by a few names; meclizine is the generic term, but it is also packaged under the names Antivert, Bonine, and Dramamine II. The original Dramamine (I guess we will call it Dramamine I) is a similar medication called Dimenhydrinate. Dramamine II is marketed as the “less drowsy” formula, although I am unaware of any studies to substantiate that claim. In fact one study showed that dimenhydrinate caused drowsiness for a shorter period of time than did meclizine.

So many patients come in to our balance clinic having received a prescription for meclizine, I am in the habit of asking them about perceived benefit. After listening to their symptoms (some of which include vertigo, nausea or motion sickness, but just as many do not), I ask them “What is it that the meclizine is treating?” The most common answer is ‘the dizziness.’ Most do not have a clear understanding of the purpose or potential benefit or negative effects of taking meclizine.

Meclizine (or Dramamine, Bonine, etc) Doesn’t Actually Treat Inner Ear Disease

Most patients nod their head in agreement if I comment that they probably would not have come to my clinic if the meclizine resolved their symptoms. Most agree that the only thing they noticed was that the meclizine made them sleepy. Most are surprised when I tell them that meclizine does not actually treat inner ear disease, that it won’t keep them for getting dizzy, lightheaded or off balance, and they won’t get better any faster by taking it.

According to Drugs.com, the mechanism of action is described as:

“Antiemetic; antivertigo agent—The mechanism by which meclizine exerts its antiemetic, anti–motion sickness, and antivertigo effects is not precisely known but may be related to its central anticholinergic actions. It diminishes vestibular stimulation and depresses labyrinthine function. An action on the medullary chemoreceptive trigger zone may also be involved in the antiemetic effect.”

That doesn’t sound very convincing to me.

A recent 2012 study out of Belgium does support that meclizine probably has a sedating effect on the gain of the vestibular-ocular reflex, suspected to be a ‘central action on the medial vestibular nucleus’.

So, how shall we interpret that information as it relates to someone complaining of dizziness? First, and I have talked about this at length on this blog, you have to be more specific in your complaints. The term “dizziness” is very vague and can mean many different things. Some complaints of dizziness can be helped by a temporary prescription of meclizine, many won’t be affected at all, and some could be made worse.

Temporary Relief

Basically, if your inner ear is making you sick, and by sick I mean nauseous, then there is a role for meclizine. It will help relieve the temporary but acute vertigo and nausea associated with a few specific inner ear conditions such as Meniere’s disease or vestibular neuritis. It will also help relieve the nausea associated with motion sickness. It does this by reducing the information received by the brain from the inner ear. In an acute inner ear disease situation, what is making you spin and sick is the brain trying to resolve the conflict between a healthy ear and an unhealthy ear sending different signals to the brain. The brain would rather receive no information from the inner ears than to receive conflicting information.

As we have recently discussed with motion sickness, reducing the information from the inner ear reduces the conflict between vestibular and visual information. So, in these two situations, meclizine can be helpful.

Next week, I am going to recycle an article that I wrote many years ago with my colleague, Dr. Brian Collie. Dr. Collie is an ENT specialist and a registered pharmacist. It is about 15 years old and is no longer available on the web, so I hope you find it interesting. I will update the article where it is needed.

An expert weighs in on Dramamine, ginger and more

(SACRAMENTO)

Pent-up desires to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to summer surges among vacation hot spots, hotels and airports. Since vaccines rolled out nationally this spring, many airlines have reported increased demand and that trend is only expected to continue.  
Studies show that motion sickness will affect most people at some point in their lives.

Travel seems to be on most of our minds. What may also come to mind is motion sickness for those who suffer from it, which is almost everybody at some point. 

“A study conducted in 2019 found that almost everyone has experienced or will experience motion sickness at some point in their lifetime,” said Natascha Tuznik, an infectious disease doctor with the UC Davis Health Traveler’s Clinic. 

Tuznik answers some common questions about motion sickness and ways to prevent or treat it. 

Where is motion sickness most likely to happen?

This depends upon specific conditions encountered. Seasickness is the most common form. A fun fact is that the word nausea is derived from the Greek word “naus” which means ship. Nausea literally means “ship-sickness.” But it can happen to people traveling by car, bus and plane, too.

In one survey of roughly 3,200 bus passengers, 28% felt ill, 13% reported nausea and 2% vomited. Another study highlighted motion sickness experienced by passengers on commercial airline flights, finding that 24% felt ill or nauseated.   

Who’s most likely to get motion sickness?

Women are more susceptible than men. Children under the age of 2 are typically resistant to motion sickness, while those around the age of 9 are more prone. Other factors that tend to lead to motion sickness include a history of migraines, hormonal changes (pregnant women, for example), genetics and even mindset. Often, those who expect to get sick are the ones who do. 

Does Dramamine work for motion sickness?

Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) is a popular go-to remedy. It is somewhat effective at reducing motion sickness symptoms, but it is an antihistamine. Like all antihistamines, it may cause drowsiness, dizziness and decreased mental alertness. Some people may experience the exact opposite effects, including insomnia, excitability and restlessness. Unfortunately, not much can be done to mitigate the side effects. If you’ve taken it before, you should expect similar side effects each time. 

Who should not take Dramamine?

Natascha Tuznik is an infectious disease physician with UC Davis Health’s Traveler’s Clinic.

Patients with a history of glaucoma, liver impairment, asthma, seizures, prostate enlargements or urinary blockage, thyroid dysfunction and cardiovascular disease should proceed with caution and speak with their physician first. 

Does it help to take the medicine before you start traveling?

If you have a history of severe motion sickness symptoms, it’s best to take medication one hour before your trip. 

What other medication options are there?

Bonine (meclizine) is another option. In comparison to Dramamine, Bonine touts “less drowsy” formulations. This is mainly because Bonine is taken once a day and Dramamine is taken every four to six hours as needed. That said, many studies show that as a whole, Dramamine is more effective at preventing motion sickness, though it is less convenient given the dosing.  

Another option is scopolamine, which is commonly known as the round patch placed behind one’s ear.

Non-sedative antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra do not appear to be effective for motion sickness.  

What about kids with motion sickness?

As noted, children under 2 typically do not experience motion sickness, while the incidence appears to peak at age 9. Generally, the same advice applies to children as it does for adults. If you need to use medication for your child, always speak with your pediatrician first. Almost all pediatric medications are weight-based, and some may have age restrictions, as well. Please never guess a dose without seeking medical advice for your child first. 

What about pets with motion sickness?

There are many pre-emptive strategies that exist for dogs and cats to prevent motion sickness. A medication for motion sickness in dogs called Cerenia (maropitant), is available, and is prescription-only from a licensed veterinarian. Dramamine may also be used, however as with pediatric patients, it is weight-based. Speak with your veterinarian first. 

Are there ways to prevent motion sickness?

Yes. Prevention is always the best option, when possible. Some options include: 

• Use your environment: Try looking at the horizon, if you’re at sea, or another stationary object or fixture. 
• Avoid reading. 
• Where you sit matters. If you’re on a boat, avoid the upper levels. If you’re in a car, try to sit in the front. If you’re on a plane, look for a seat over the front edge of the wing.
• Alternative methods like hard ginger candy, P6 acupressure and motion sickness & travel wristbands (one brand is Sea-Bands) can work well. 

For people with mild motion sickness history (which typically means that it does not interfere with your ability to function), the recommendations are for environmental modifications and complementary and alternative treatments mentioned above. Medications are typically not recommended, given that side effects will typically outweigh the benefits. 

Treating Dizziness With Antivert | Dr. Alan Desmond – Blue Ridge Hearing and Balance Clinic

Research indicates that long-term use may not be the best solution

By Alan L. Desmond, Au.D., CCC-A and R. Brian Collie, D.O., R.Ph.

Considering how frequently Antivert is prescribed for dizziness, its effectiveness has been measured in remarkably few studies. While there is general agreement among specialists that vestibular compensation is inhibited by the use of vestibular or central nervous system sedative medications,¹ the literature suggests that these types of medications are used the majority of the time when a patient presents in the primary care setting with the complaint of dizziness, vertigo or imbalance. Well over half of these patients – 61 percent to 89 percent – receive some type of medication following their initial visit, Antivert being the most common. ^{2 3}

In one study, approximately 90 percent of patients subsequently diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) were given Antivert prior to receiving a correct diagnosis.⁴ However, another study found that in the general population only 31 percent of patients receiving medication for dizziness found it helpful.⁵

Dizziness is a vague term that can mean different things to different people. A recent study reports that of elderly patients complaining of dizziness, only 25 percent were describing rotary vertigo.⁶ On further questioning, approximately 75 percent described their dizziness as unsteadiness, disequilibrium, loss of balance, or pre-syncopal lightheadedness. Although etiology of these complaints was not obtained, we know that BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, and disequilibrium and unsteadiness can be the result of vestibular and/or non-vestibular pathology.

Antivert (meclizine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine. According to the Physicians’ Desk Reference, it is effective for “management of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system.”⁷ Antivert is not recommended for complaints of unsteadiness, disequilibrium, loss of balance, or pre-syncopal lightheadedness.

Medication taken to suppress vestibular symptoms ideally should be used only during the acute stage following vestibular insult. During the acute phase of vestibular dysfunction, typically lasting three to five days, vestibular suppressants are helpful in reducing the activity in the vestibular nuclei and cerebellum. Tonic asymmetry in activity in these areas creates the acute symptoms of vestibular-induced vertigo. In order for natural or therapeutically enhanced compensation to take place, the brain eventually must be made aware that an asymmetry exists. Appropriate treatment following the acute phase encourages activity to promote central compensation rather than suppression of stimulation needed for compensation.

The intensity of vertigo associated with BPPV may be lessened when using Antivert. However, this is a less than ideal treatment for two reasons: a therapeutic dosage of Antivert creates a lasting sedating effect only to marginally reduce the intensity of symptoms, which last only a few seconds, and Canalith repositioning procedures are extremely effective in relieving the symptoms of positional vertigo.

Many patients describing dizziness do not experience vertigo and may have perfectly normal vestibular function. However, since suppressant medications may hinder the function of the vestibular apparatus at a time when the patient is most dependent upon it, these patients actually may experience greater symptoms.

In 1972 a randomized, double-blind crossover study indicated that meclizine had a greater effect than a placebo on diminishing symptoms and signs of vertigo of vestibular origin.⁸ Scopolamine has been shown to be more effective than meclizine in treating the symptoms of motion sickness. ⁹ We are aware of no studies that indicate meclizine provides any benefit for complaints of disequilibrium, imbalance or lightheadedness.

Negative Effects

Kennedy et al. performed psychomotor tests and questionnaires on healthy young adults after administering therapeutic doses of several different medications used for motion sickness, including meclizine and hyoscine (scopolamine).¹⁰ While their results showed no major decrease in several psychomotor tests, they did indicate that meclizine had a significant detrimental effect on balance tests involving standing on a balance beam. A possible caveat to this study is the fact that the tests were performed within one to two hours of drug ingestion, while later studies showed that meclizine had its peak central nervous system effect nine hours after dosing.¹¹

Manning et al. explored the central nervous system effects of meclizine and dimenhydrate (Dramamine). Their results “demonstrate that both dimenhydrate and meclizine, in recommended doses, produce drowsiness and impaired mental performance greater than placebo. ” These authors attempt to “interpret the meaning of the observed decrement in test scores” by comparing their results to the effects of ethanol (alcohol): “Ethanol serves as a unique drug to reference degree of impairment because there are epidemiologic data that relate to blood alcohol concentrations with a known risk (.07) percent) for being involved in a traffic accident.” Comparison of the data demonstrates that the effect of dimenhydrate and meclizine on mental reaction time is equal to that observed while blood alcohol levels were .04 percent or .06 percent.

Postural Control

Two recent studies demonstrate the efficacy of vestibular therapy vs. medication in improving postural control in patients with vestibular deficiency. Horak et al. compared “relative effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation, general conditioning exercises and vestibular suppressant medication” on subjective dizziness and postural control.¹²

The medication group was treated with Valium or meclizine, both centrally sedating medications. Over a six-week treatment period, all groups reported a reduction in symptoms, but only the vestibular rehabilitation group showed significant objective improvement in scores obtained from posturography and standing balance tests.

The use of centrally sedating medication may impede the benefits of vestibular rehabilitation therapy.

Shepard et al. reported that patients taking vestibular suppressants, antidepressants, tranquilizers and anticonvulsants, antidepressants, tranquilizers and anticonvulsants ultimately achieved the same level of compensation as patients not taking similar medications, but the length of therapy was significantly longer.¹³

Antivert is helpful for vertigo associated with sudden acute vestibular asymmetry due to Meniere’s disease or vestibular neuritis but should be withdrawn once the acute symptoms have diminished. It is not recommended for complaints of unsteadiness, loss of balance, and disequilibrium, whether of vestibular origin or not. Vertigo related to BPPV is better treated through Canalith repositioning techniques.

Long-term use of Antivert is inappropriate, and the drug may be overprescribed in the primary care setting. 

References 

1. Zee, D. (1985). Perspectives on the pharmacotherapy of vertigo. Archives of Otolaryngology, 111: 609-612.
2. Sloane, P. (1989). Dizziness in primary care. Results from the national ambulatory care survey. Journal of Family Practice, 29 (1): 33-38.
3. Burke, M. (1995). Dizziness in the elderly; etiology and treatment. Nurse Practitioner, 20 (12): 28-35.
4. Li, J., Li, C., Epley, J. & Wienberg, L. (2000). Cost effective management of benign positional vertigo using Canalith repositioning. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
5. Kroenke, K., Arrington, M. & Mangelsdorff, A. (1990). The prevalence of symptoms in medical outpatients and the adequacy of therapy. Archives of Internal Medicine, 150: 1685-1689.
6. Tinetti, M., Williams, C. & Gill, T. (2000). Dizziness among older adults: A possible geriatric syndrome. Annals of Internal Medicine, 132 (5): 337-344.
7. Physicians’ Desk Reference. (1999). 53^rd edition, Montvale: Medical Economics Company Inc.
8. Cohen, B. & Vianney, deJong J. (1972). Meclizine and placebo in treating vertigo of vestibular origin. Archives of Neurology, 27: 129-135.
9. Dahl, E. et al. (1984). Transdermal scopolamine, oral meclizine, and placebo in motion sickness. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 36 (1): 116-120.
10. Kennedy, R., Wood, C., Graybiel, A. & McDonough, R. (1966). Side effects of some antimotion sickness drugs as measured by psychomotor test and questionnaires. Aerospace Medicine, 408-411.
11. Manning, C., Scandale, L., Manning, E. & Gengo, F. (1992). Central nervous system effects of meclizine and dimenhydrinate: Evidence of acute tolerance to antihistamines. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 32: 996-1002.
12. Horak, F., Jones-Rycewicz, C. Black, F. & Shumway-Cook, A. (1992). Effects of vestibular rehabilitation on dizziness and imbalance. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 106: 175-180.
13. Shepard, N., Telian, S. & Smith-Wheelock, M. (1990). Habituation and balance retraining therapy: A retrospective review. Neurologic Clinics, 8(2): 459-475.

Meclizine oral disintegrating tablets

What is this medicine?

MECLIZINE (MEK li zeen) is an antihistamine. It is used to prevent nausea, vomiting, or dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used to prevent and treat vertigo (extreme dizziness or a feeling that you or your surroundings are tilting or spinning around).

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• glaucoma
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• problems urinating
• prostate disease
• stomach or intestine problems
• an unusual or allergic reaction to meclizine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Leave the tablet in the sealed blister pack until you are ready to take it. With dry hands, open the blister and gently remove the tablet. If the tablet breaks or crumbles, throw it away and take a new tablet out of the blister pack. Place the tablet in the mouth and allow it to dissolve, and then swallow. While you may take these tablets with water, it is not necessary to do so. If you are using this medicine to prevent motion sickness, take the dose at least 1 hour before travel. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor’s advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol
• antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
• certain medicines for depression, like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
• certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone
• general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• local anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine
• medicines that relax muscles for surgery
• narcotic medicines for pain
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• fast, irregular heartbeat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• headache
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• trouble sleeping
• upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store between 20 and 30 degrees C (68 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Medication | Ménière’s Society

Below is an overview of the medication often prescribed for vertigo. This information is not intended to replace specific medical advice from your GP, consultant, specialist or pharmacist, but to give a general description of the medication currently prescribed.

Betahistine

Betahistine is a histamine analog and is a prescription only medication. It is also known by the brand name Serc. Betahistine is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Ménière’s disease in the UK. It works by acting on histamine receptors that are found in the walls of blood vessels in the inner ear. By activating these receptors, a process is started which is thought to reduce the pressure of the fluid that fills the labyrinth in the inner ear. This helps to relieve the symptoms associated with Ménière’s disease.

Prochlorperazine

Prochlorperazine, also known by the brand name Stemetil, is an anti-sickness drug which acts to reduce the impact of the abnormal signals coming from the balance organ helping to relieve the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and vertigo associated with Ménière’s disease, labyrinthitis and other inner ear disorders. It is a prescription only medication available as a tablet, injection and buccal preparation (Buccastem). It is usually taken as needed, rather than on a regular basis. Prochlorperazine affects the dopamine receptors in an area of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting. Vomiting is controlled by an area of the brain called the vomiting centre. The vomiting centre is responsible for causing feelings of sickness and for the vomiting reflex. It is activated when it receives nerve messages from another area of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone and when it receives nerve messages from the gut. Prochlorperazine controls nausea and vomiting by blocking dopamine receptors found in the trigger zone and prevents it from sending messages to the vomiting centre that would otherwise cause nausea and vomiting.

Cinnarizine

Cinnarizine is an antihistamine medication used to control travel and motion sickness. It is also known as Stugeron and is available from chemists without prescription. Cinnarizine is used to treat the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, vertigo and tinnitus associated with Ménière’s disease as well as disorders of the middle ear. Cinnarizine has two pharmacological actions. It is a calcium antagonist, though not a powerful one. This acts mainly on the blood vessels and prevents constriction on these vessels. In theory it therefore improves the micro circulation of the ear. At the same time it has a mild antihistaminic effect.

Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate

The combination medication of Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate has been licensed in the UK for the treatment of vertigo with mixed origins since 2007 and has been available in Germany since 1982. It is also known in the UK by the brand name Arlevert. Cinnarizine and dimenhydrinate is a prescription only medication used to treat vertigo of various origins (central and/or peripheral vertigo), including otogenic vertigo, vertigo because of vestibular neuropathy, Ménière’s disease, Ménière-like syndrome and vertigo because of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. The usual prescription is one tablet three times a day, taken with water after meals. Due to its specific calcium antagonistic properties, cinnarizine acts mainly as a vestibular sedative through inhibition of the calcium influx into the vestibular sensory cells. Cinnarizine thus acts predominantly on the peripheral vestibular system. Dimenhydrinate exhibits anti-emetic and anti-vertiginous effects through influencing the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the region of the 4th ventricle. Dimenhydrinate thus acts predominantly on the central vestibular system.

Domperidone

Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist, also known by the brand name Motilium. It is used to treat nausea and vomiting and is also used to relieve stomach discomfort, bloating and reflux or heartburn by helping food to move faster through your digestive system to help prevent feelings of sickness, bloating and regurgitation. Domperidone is available as a suppository, tablet or oral suspension. Suppositories are available on prescription only. Some tablets containing the active ingredient domperidone are available from pharmacists over the counter.

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HOW GINGER FIGHTS VERTIGO – The Washington Post

If all that comes to mind when you think of a winter cruise is a queasy stomach, you may find solace in ginger. In folklore, ginger has a formidable reputation as an anti-nausea agent. According to Albert Leung, an independent consultant in plant pharmacology, ginger has been used for centuries in the Orient to combat seasickness. “It’s quite common today,” he says, “to see people in boats around Hong Kong munching on preserved ginger.” Dr. James Duke, an authority on medicinal plants at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says: “Legend has it that commercial fishermen at sea would chew on a slug of ginger root to ward off decidedly unprofitable bouts of seasickness.” Is there any truth to it? Surprisingly, yes. The evidence is good and getting better. In 1982, two researchers at Brigham Young University and Mount Union College in Ohio demonstrated that powdered ginger root was better than Dramamine — a common anti-motion-sickness drug — at suppressing motion-induced nausea. In their test, they put people highly prone to seasickness in a whirling tilted chair, a motion that brings on stomach-turning sensations. Twenty minutes prior to that, they gave the subjects either a placebo (with no pharmacological value), Dramamine, or powdered ginger root — the same stuff you get at the supermarket, except it was in a capsule. The dose of ginger was about a gram — or half a teaspoonful. None of the volunteers who took Dramamine or a placebo lasted in the twirling chair for six minutes without vomiting or becoming nauseated. Half of those who took the ginger did. One of the investigators, psychologist Daniel Mowrey, then at Brigham Young, thinks the ginger somehow “interrupts the feedback between the stomach and the nausea center of the brain.” A later double-blind study in 1986 at Odense University in Denmark, found that ginger blocked vertigo in all of eight subjects, apparently by affecting the inner ear, which is also implicated in motion sickness. Such laboratory studies are well and good, but the real truth is revealed only on the high seas. So that’s where the Danes went next — to 80 green naval cadets “unaccustomed sailing in heavy seas.” In a recently published report of the double-blind study, the Danish researchers recount how one day out of port as the ship hit high seas, they gave 1 gram of ginger root to one group of the rookie sailors and a placebo to another group. Then they examined them for symptoms of seasickness every hour for four hours. Sure enough, ginger root reduced the severity of seasickness by suppressing vomiting, cold sweating, nausea and vertigo. The most pronounced effect was control of vomiting — dampening it by 72 percent. Over all, they pronounced ginger 38 percent protective against the symptoms of seasickness. The Danish scientists note that the pharmacological component in ginger that combats motion sickness is totally unknown. However, they say it takes effect within 25 minutes and lasts for at least four hours. Duke recommends putting half a teaspoon of powdered ginger in tea or another beverage. If you use fresh grated ginger root, you need twice that much, he says. More convenient are capsules of ginger often sold in health food stores. According to Mowrey, two or three capsules, each containing 500 milligrams of powdered ginger, should do the trick — if taken about half an hour before encountering the motion. He cautions against swallowing the dry ginger plain, noting it could burn the esophagus. Duke figures that a 12-ounce can of ginger ale or ginger beer may also contain enough ginger to prevent motion sickness in some people more effectively than 50 to 100 milligrams of Dramamine. Curbing motion sickness is not ginger’s only pharmacological asset. In animal tests, ginger lowers blood cholesterol; in test tubes it is an antibiotic, very effective against salmonella, the bacteria that frequently contaminate eggs and chickens. (Could that account for the Chinese wisdom behind ginger chicken?) Ginger is a strong antioxidant, says Duke, perhaps giving it some anti-cancer properties. But in certain medical circles ginger is best recognized as a blood thinner. A few years ago, Dr. Charles R. Dorso, then at Cornell University Medical College, noticed that his blood did not coagulate as usual. He traced the effect to eating large quantities of ginger marmalade that was 15 percent ginger. In tests, he found that ginger behaved like an anticoagulant: It reduced the tendency of blood platelets to stick together. He attributed the effect to gingerol, a ginger compound chemically structured like aspirin, a well-known anti-clotting agent. Several studies confirm ginger’s potent ability to manipulate prostaglandins, body chemicals that help control blood cell stickiness and clumping. A scientist even suggested recently in a medical journal that ginger replace certain drugs that act on prostaglandins, because of their dangerous side effects. Ginger is designated by the government as GRAS, which stands for “generally recognized as safe,” and has few documented side effects. In combatting motion sickness, it reportedly does not cause drowiness, as some drugs do. Eating Right appears on alternate Tuesdays.

90,000 OTC DRUGS FOR DIEDISTRESS – MEDICAL

Contents:

Experts estimate that more than 40 percent of Americans experience dizziness so severe that they will see a doctor, according to a 2010 report from the Senior Citizens Guide website. Fatigue, stress, anemia, menopause, inner ear infections and other conditions can cause dizziness or dizziness, sensation or illusion of movement.Various medications are used to treat vertigo, dizziness, and accompanying nausea. These drugs are available as tablets, capsules, blemishes, and liquid form, and can also be administered sublingually or by injection. Always check with your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Is this an emergency?

If you experience severe medical symptoms, seek emergency help immediately.

Meclizine hydrochloride

Meclizine hydrochloride is an over-the-counter medicine commonly called Bonin or Antivert. It may be the first choice medicine for dizziness and is also used to treat travel-related nausea. The drug is believed to help people prone to dizziness by desensitizing central nervous system equilibrium centers, according to the University of Washington Otolaryngology website 1.

• Meclizine hydrochloride is an over-the-counter medicine commonly called Bonin or Antivert.
• The drug is believed to help people prone to dizziness by desensitizing central nervous system equilibrium centers, according to the University of Washington Otolaryngology website 1.

Dimenhydrinate

Dimenhydrinate, known as dramamine, is an over-the-counter drug used for motion sickness. Calms the stomach and relieves dizziness. Dimenhydrinate is often recommended for severe cases of dizziness. Dramamine is available in liquid form for children with motion sickness and dizziness, but this drug is not approved for use in children under 2 years of age.

• Dimenhydrinate, known as dramamine, is an over-the-counter drug used for motion sickness.
• Dimenhydrinate is often recommended for severe cases of dizziness.

DizzyStop

DizzyStop is a drug developed by Stuart Barton, M.D., otolaryngologist who has worked with patients for over three decades and conducted research into the causes of dizziness and the best ways to treat it and relieve suffering, according to DizzyStop.com and Desertent.org, the website for the Desert Ear Nose and Throat Medical Center, where Dr. Barton practices medicine. 3. Dr. Barton’s determination to help reduce motion sickness, nausea, dizziness and vertigo in his patients prompted him to create this all-natural remedy that seems to bring relief from vertigo and vertigo. Ginger, one of the main ingredients in DizzyStop, is considered to be very effective in combating dizziness. The FDA has not evaluated claims of effectiveness for this product.

• DizzyStop is a drug developed by Stuart Barton, M.D., otolaryngologist who has worked with patients for over three decades and conducted research into the causes of dizziness and the best ways to treat and relieve dizziness, according to DizzyStop.com and Desertent.org, web The Desert Ear Nose and Throat Medical Center website, where Dr. Barton practices medicine 3.
• Dr. Barton’s determination to help his patients relieve motion sickness, nausea, dizziness and dizziness prompted him to create this all-natural medicine that seems to relieve dizziness and vertigo.

Diuretics

A well-known cause of vertigo is Meniere’s disease, explains Randy Schwartz, M.D. of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in a 2005 article on the American Academy of Family Physicians website 4. Too much endolymph fluid in the internal ear can cause this condition, and recommended treatment includes reducing fluid retention. Patients are often advised to try diuretics and follow a low-salt diet. Some diuretics are available without a prescription, while others are available with a prescription.

• A well-known cause of vertigo is Meniere’s disease, explains Randy Schwartz, MD.
• from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine 2005 article on the American Academy of Family Physicians website 4.
• Too much endolymph fluid in the inner ear can cause this condition, and recommended treatment includes reducing fluid retention.

Vitamins

Vitamin B deficiency can cause dizziness, and some people with dizziness and dizziness find that taking vitamin B6 can alleviate some of the discomfort. Vitamin D is another supplement that can help with dizziness caused by water imbalance in people’s ears.

Dramamine Less Drowsy and Alcohol Interaction

When verifying interactions against reputable Drugs sources.com, Rxlist.com, Webmd.com, Medscape.com contraindications or side effects have been found that can be harmful or intensify the negative effect when using a combination of drugs with alcohol.

Consumer:

Ask your doctor before using meclizine with ethanol. Drinking alcohol with caution. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking meclizine. You must be warned not to exceed the recommended dose and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness.If your doctor prescribes these drugs together, you may need a dose adjustment to safely take this combination. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without talking to your doctor.

Professional:

Avoid altogether: The use of anticholinergics with alcohol can cause enough attention impairment to render driving and operating machines more dangerous.In addition, the potential for abuse can be increased when combined. The mechanism of interaction has not been established, but may include additive depressive effects on the central nervous system. No effect of oral propantheline or atropine on blood alcohol levels was observed in healthy volunteers when taken by mouth before taking a standard load of ethanol. However, one study found that subjects’ attention disorders were given 0.5 mg atropine or 1 mg glycopyrrolate in combination with alcohol.

Administration: Alcohol should be avoided during treatment with anticholinergic agents. Patients should be informed to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.

References

• Linnoila M “Drug effects on psychomotor skills related to driving: interaction of atropine, glycopyrrhonium and alcohol.” Eur J Clin Pharmacol 6 (1973): 107-12

Dramamine Less Drowsy

Generic Name: meclizine

Brand: Antivert, Dramamine Less Drowsy, Bonine, D-Vert, Driminate II, Meclicot, Medivert, Ru-Vert-M, Meni-D, Travel-Ease

Synonyms: no

90,000 SUDDEN VISUAL DISTURBANCES AND NASHS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT – NEUROLOGICAL

A sudden attack of dizziness can be confusing.You may feel dizzy, unsteady, or dizzy (dizzy). Also, at times you may experience nausea or vomiting.

But what conditions can cause sudden attacks of severe dizziness, especially when accompanied by nausea or vomiting? Read on to learn more about potential causes, possible remedies, and time to see your doctor.

Causes of Sudden Dizziness

There are many reasons why you may suddenly feel dizzy.However, more often than not, sudden dizziness occurs due to problems with the inner ear.

Your inner ear is important for maintaining balance. However, when your brain receives signals from your inner ear that do not match the information your senses are transmitting, it can lead to dizziness and dizziness.

Other factors can also cause sudden attacks of dizziness, including:

• circulatory problems, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure or insufficient blood flow to the brain, such as transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
• Side effects of medications

Sudden, severe dizziness, which is often accompanied by nausea and even vomiting, is a hallmark of certain conditions.Below we will look at each of these conditions in more detail.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is a condition that causes sudden severe dizziness. It often feels like everything around you is spinning or swaying, or that your head is spinning from within.

Severe dizziness is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

BPPV symptoms almost always occur when the head position is changed.An episode of BPPV usually lasts less than a minute. Although the dizziness is brief, it can interfere with daily activities.

BPPV occurs when crystals in a specific part of the inner ear are displaced. Often, the exact cause of BPPV is not known. When the cause can be identified, this is often the result of:

• head trauma
• inner ear disorders
• injury during ear surgery
• unnatural position on the back for a long time, e.g. lying in the dentist’s chair

When these crystals are pushed out, they go to another part of your inner ear where they don’t belong.Because the crystals are sensitive to gravity, changing the position of the head can cause severe dizziness, which seems to come out of nowhere.

Treatment usually involves the doctor turning your head in a specific direction to reposition the misaligned crystals. This is called channel movement or Epley maneuver. If this is ineffective, surgery may be required. Sometimes BPPV can go away on its own.

Meniere’s disease

Meniere’s disease also affects the inner ear.Usually only one ear is affected. People with this condition may experience severe dizziness, which can cause nausea. Other symptoms of Ménière’s disease include:

• A feeling of congestion in the ear
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Loss of balance

Symptoms of Ménière’s disease may appear suddenly or after a short episode of other symptoms such as hearing impairment or ringing in the ears. Sometimes episodes can be separated, but other times they can occur closer together.

Meniere’s disease occurs when fluid accumulates in the inner ear. What causes this fluid buildup is unknown, although infectious, genetic, and autoimmune reactions are suspected.

Treatment options for Meniere’s disease include:

• drugs to treat symptoms of dizziness and nausea
• balance problems
• sudden severe headache
• disorientation, confusion

Although less common, sudden dizziness can also be caused by a stroke , in particular, a stroke of the brain stem.For a brain stem stroke:

• Vertigo lasts more than 24 hours.
• Dizziness, dizziness and imbalance usually occur at the same time.
• Weakness on one side of the body is usually not a symptom.
• In more severe cases, symptoms may include slurred speech, double vision, and decreased levels of consciousness.

Are any self-care measures helpful?

• Sit down as soon as the dizziness begins.
• Avoid walking or standing until the dizziness has passed.
• If you must walk, move slowly and use a supportive device such as a cane or hold onto furniture for support.
• Once your dizziness has passed, get up very slowly.
• Consider taking an over-the-counter medication such as dimensionhydrinate (dramamine) to relieve nausea.
• Avoid caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol, which may worsen your symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have sudden dizziness that:

• is common
• serious
• lasts a long time
• cannot be explained by another health condition or medication

To help diagnose the cause of the dizziness, your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. They will also do a lot of tests.These may include:

• Balance and movement testing, which can help determine if certain movements are causing symptoms
• Rapid heartbeat
• Frequent vomiting
• Changes in your hearing, such as ringing in your ears or hearing loss
• Blurred or double vision in the eyes
• confusion

Essence

Many people experience dizziness for one reason or another. In some cases, however, it may seem like dizziness comes out of nowhere and can be severe.In these cases, you may also experience symptoms such as nausea or vomiting.

Many causes of this type of vertigo are associated with problems with the inner ear. Examples include BPPV, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis.

See your doctor if you have frequent, severe, or unexplained dizziness or dizziness. Other symptoms, such as severe headache, numbness, or confusion, may indicate another condition, such as a stroke, and require urgent medical attention.

90,000 9 scientifically proven ways to prevent motion sickness

Article

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Dizziness, nausea and discomfort are never pleasant, especially when you are traveling. Caused by sensory confusion – your eyes and inner ear receive conflicting signals about movement around you – motion sickness can affect anyone in any moving vehicle.Since motion sickness is easier to prevent than to combat its symptoms at the moment, here are nine tips to help keep your journey smooth, even when the waters are choppy.

1. DO NOT TRAVEL ON AN EMPTY stomach …

Traveling on an empty stomach can make you more susceptible to motion sickness (even the Swiss medical services do not recommend traveling without snacks). Try to eat something light 45-60 minutes before your trip. A small amount of peanut butter, crackers, pretzels, or turkey can help calm the stomach before travel, reducing the likelihood of vomiting.

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2.… AND CONTINUE EATING EASY, TO THE DOG WHILE YOUR TRAVEL.

Eat a light snack every few hours to keep food in your stomach. Everything you eat should be tasteless and low in fat and acid: Fatty and spicy foods can cause nausea, so it’s best to avoid them before and during your trip. Likewise, avoid alcohol, which can act as a diuretic and cause dehydration – another exacerbation of motion sickness.

3. CHOOSE WISE WHERE YOU SIT.

It all depends on where you sit. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s important to try to find a seat that you feel the least amount of movement: in a car, that means the passenger seat, not the back seat (if you can’t be the driver). On the train, sit in front, next to the window, facing forward (in the direction of the train). If the train (or bus) has two levels, sit on the lower level. If you are on a ship, try to position the stateroom at about water level near the middle of the ship.On an airplane, try to sit in the middle of the airplane so that you are above the front of any wing.

4. EYE SAFE.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery recommends that people with motion sickness sit facing forward and avoid reading when traveling. Instead, focus on the horizon or on a stationary object in the distance, such as a mountain or street sign.

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If you notice that you feel dizzy while scrolling through the phone, put your phone down and look into the distance.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests reducing sensory input by lying down (if possible), looking at the horizon, or closing your eyes.

5. Wrist strap.

To manage motion sickness nausea, it may be helpful to wear a bracelet that puts pressure on a specific spot on your wrist, pericardial point 6. While current research cannot prove whether acupressure bracelets actually help with nausea, their placebo effect wearing may be enough to keep you from feeling sick.If you don’t have a bracelet, you can press on your wrist with the thumb of your opposite hand.

If you need something a little more advanced, you can try ReliefBand. This FDA-approved wearable technology looks like a watch, but it sends electrical current through your wrist to combat motion sickness and morning sickness.

6. RECEIVE FRESH AIR.

With motion sickness, you may feel hot and sweaty, and the wind (or a breeze of air blowing on you) can help you feel better.To prevent motion sickness, stand outside (on the deck of a boat) in the cold air for a few minutes.

7. SWEET GINGER.

Many studies have proven the effectiveness of ginger in preventing motion sickness. Whether you’re eating a slice of candied ginger, sucking on a ginger-flavored lollipop, swallowing a ginger root capsule, or drinking ginger ale (the type that contains real ginger), the spice may be your best ally. Peppermint candies or peppermint gum can also help with motion sickness because they make digestion easier.

8. TAKE THE MEDICINE.

The CDC recommends that antihistamines that cause drowsiness are the most effective drugs for treating motion sickness. If you try over-the-counter medicines like Dramamine or Bonine, take them 30 minutes to an hour before your boat or train departure. If you suffer from severe motion sickness and are going on a long trip (such as a cruise), you can also get a prescription scopolamine patch to be placed behind your ear (this is only recommended as a last resort, as these are not very fun side effects. such as blurred vision).

9. Focus on your breathing.

If all else fails and you are in the throes of motion sickness, focus on your breathing. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one study found that taking slow, calm, deep breaths in and out will distract you and center you. Tell yourself that you will be fine and relax as much as possible. Hope you get back on solid ground soon!

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