Mothers in the car: causes and remedies of car sickness in children

There are many children who suffer from motion sickness in the car, a neurological disorder that often occurs following rhythmic or irregular movements of the body during a motion. The malaise does not only concern travel by car, but also often arises during travel by plane or by ship. Dr. Giovanna Baroni, surgeon specializing in pediatrics, explains to us what is due and what are the remedies to alleviate the symptoms.

The triggering or aggravating factors

1. Stale air inside the passenger compartment - It is good practice to frequently ventilate the spaces in which you travel.

2. The smell of food - If we travel with ready meals or snacks, don't keep them in the cockpit, as their smell can often trigger nausea.

3. The space too large - On a ship, if you suffer from motion sickness it is better to travel in the cabin where you feel less exposed to the movements of the boat

4. The psychological state of the child - Often the journey is experienced by the child as a problem even before starting it, with a crescendo of anxiety and discomfort at the thought of being able to feel bad. The child must be supervised and reassured. You need to talk to him and explain the physical reasons why you feel bad. It is good to ask our children how they feel and touch their hands. They could be sweaty not only on the palm but also on the back, and this is a clear sign of a thermal alteration and therefore a physical impairment.

The remedies

1. Distraction - Distraction is essential to make children feel better, but it must not be a visual distraction, because it is the visual apparatus that is the main cause of the condition of discomfort. An auditory distraction must intervene, or you can entertain the child by chatting with him.

2. A light meal - Many people put their children fast in the car: this is a bad choice. Better to opt, before traveling, for a not abundant meal, free of fats and proteins, mainly sugary. Zuccherino does not mean made with brioche and cream donuts. Better some dry biscuits or a packet of crackers.

3. The position in the car - It is very important that the head is straight and firm and is protected from further tossing.

4. Sparkling mineral water - Sips and well iced creates a thermal shock which sometimes causes an improvement in general conditions.

5. The pharmacy - Antihistamine and anticholinergic drugs are available to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness. Or you can try to resort to the famous bracelets which, positioned at the level of the wrist, stimulate the nerve points by actually carrying out a pressotherapy. And let's not forget homeopathy either: the pediatrician recommends Cocculus indacus 9CH, while if you are in the presence of intense sweating it is better to resort to Petroleum 9CH.

6. Train them from an early age - The same feeling of discomfort that you feel in the car is also experienced on the rides and swings. Children need to be trained by encouraging them to play and experiment with atypical movements from an early age.