Holiday Health OTC - Motion Sickness Flashcards
What are the symptoms of motion sickness? (6)
Dizziness
Nausea
Being sick
Headache
Feeling cold and going pale
Sweating
Mild: self-care advice.
Self-care ineffective / severe OTC medication
What self-care measures are given for motion sickness?
Avoid eating heavy meals before travelling.
Look straight ahead at a fixed point e.g. horizon.
Sit in the front of a car or middle of a boat. Open window for fresh air.
Try breaking the journey to have some fresh air, drink some cold water and if possible, short walk.
Avoid strong smells. Close windows and turning on the air conditioning, avoiding the engine area in a boat.
Close your eyes (keep them closed for whole journey). Reduces positional signals from your eyes to your brain and reduces confusion.
Don’t try to read, watch films or use electronic devices.
Distract children by talking, listening to or singing songs.
Acupressure bands/ginger
What tx options are available for motion sickness? (4)
Prophylactic tx with antimuscarinics (hyoscine hydrobromide) / antihistamines (cinnarizine/promethazine)
Drowsiness s/e of all = impact driving.
Hyoscine hydrobromide (150mcg and 300mcg): Licensing and dose depend on brand (Joy rides 3y / Kwells 4y) Effective for short journeys 4-6 hrs. Take 20 mins before journey.
Cinnarizine 15mg (Sturgerone):
- Longer journeys 6-8 hrs
- Adults: 2 tablets 2 hrs before travelling and 1 tablet every 8 hrs during journey.
- Children 5-12 yrs =half adult dose.
Promethazine:
- Adults: 1 25mg tablet 1-2 hrs before travel or 1 tablet as soon as sickness felt followed by second tablet the same evening and third the next evening.
- 5-10 years: Half adult dose.
What are the alarm symptoms for motion sickness?
< 2 years
Pregnant / breastfeeding
Glaucoma
Epilepsy
Urinary retention
Hepatic/renal disease
