In the upcoming May Day holiday, many people will choose to go out to play. But for people with motion sickness, various means of transportation such as cars, ships, and airplanes are a big test. Therefore, it is common to go to the pharmacy for help before the holiday. Let's learn this knowledge in advance today and lay a good foundation for holiday marketing.
Source | Pharmacy people
In view of the corresponding symptoms caused by the driving of vehicles, such as motion sickness, seasickness and other phenomena, there are corresponding professional terms in the professional diagnosis, which are collectively called: motion sickness.
TRAVEL
What is motion sickness
Motion sickness (MS) refers to a series of uncomfortable reactions triggered by the body's abnormal motor environment. Depending on the environment, it can be divided into aeronautical MS (motion sickness), aerospace MS (space MS), seasickness, motion sickness, and visually induced MS in a virtual environment.
As a common syndrome, MS can occur at any age, and its incidence is affected by factors such as exercise intensity, environment, and individual sensitivity. Under conditions of sufficient stimulation, everyone can experience vertigo. According to statistics, about one-third of the world's population is susceptible to motion sickness [1].
Manifestations of motion sickness
Motion sickness is an adaptive syndrome that can trigger autonomic symptoms such as increased salivation, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, alternating flushing/pallor, stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting when exercise intensity increases. Because of the long journeys involved during travel, the more fatigued you are, the more likely you are to develop motion sickness and the more severe your symptoms are [2].
If you want to travel
How to choose a drug [2,5,6-8]?
Drugs have shown remarkable results in the prevention and treatment of motion sickness. Although the common drugs for the prevention and treatment of motion sickness are well known to the public, some patients are still relatively unfamiliar with them. In fact, several commonly used motion sickness prevention and treatment drugs can effectively relieve motion sickness symptoms when taken at the appropriate time.
Phencycline nonylene hydrochloride
Central anticholinergic drugs that block the agonistic effects of acetylcholine on M receptors and nicotinic receptors (N receptors). It can pass through the blood-brain barrier and has the effect of preventing motion sickness. The anti-halo effect is better than the antiemetic effect.
The drug has a preventive effect, can be taken in advance before traveling, and is a household standing medicine. However, if it is used in patients who already have motility, the effect will be significantly reduced.
Recommended for motion sickness:
Phencycline hydrochloride tablets (2mg/tablet): Adults take 1 tablet half an hour before travel by transportation, and another tablet 4-5 hours after if necessary.
Diphenhydramine
It can be used for the prevention and treatment of motion sickness, has a strong antiemetic effect, and is better than antiemetic in antiemetic.
Recommended for motion sickness:
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride tablets or capsules (both 25mg/capsule, tablet): It is recommended to take 1-2 hours before travel, at least half an hour before travel. Pregnant women should use with caution and should not be taken during breastfeeding.
Promethazine
There is a certain effect on the prevention of motion sickness, and the anti-motion sickness effect is better than the antiemetic effect.
Recommended for motion sickness:
Promethazine tablets (12.5mg/tablet or 25mg/tablet): 25mg/tablet 30 minutes before departure. However, some patients are prone to drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, etc.
Taking into account the duration and outstanding efficacy of the above drugs, the user can choose the appropriate dosage form of the drug according to the schedule during the travel process (see Table 1).
Table 1 Comparison of the advantages of different preparations
What else can I do to prevent it besides taking medicine?
Although the drug has the effect of relieving and improving the symptoms of motion sickness to a certain extent. However, it is obviously unrealistic for frequent business travelers to continue to rely on drugs to improve symptoms. For patients with motion sickness, it is important to seek non-pharmacological improvements in addition to medication.
Chewing gum
Chewing gum is a detail that is not easily taken seriously. However, in the motion sickness population, some patients can even achieve an effect comparable to that of the drug. Possible factors are as follows:
1) Some motion sickness chewing gum has a little antihistamine ingredient, which is effective in relieving motion sickness;
2) chewing gum can achieve a distracting effect and reduce excessive attention to motion sickness;
3) The aroma of various flavors of chewing gum can relieve anxiety to a certain extent [8].
Reduce the impact of noise
Many people don't know that voice is also one of the triggers for motion sickness. Although sound does not directly increase the risk of motion sickness, it indirectly induces motion sickness by consistently influencing anxiety and fear of motion sickness in the environment [9].
Reduces anxiety states
Anxiety about motion sickness is directly related to factors such as wearing glasses, sleep quality, and susceptibility to motion sickness. And this state of anxiety stems from the multi-faceted sensory stimuli of the environment in which the body is located. Behaviors such as wearing noise-canceling headphones or earplugs and closing eyes to reduce visual impact can improve symptoms to some extent and reduce anxiety and state [10].
Other methods
Some of the most popular methods include holding ginger slices in the mouth or sticking them to the navel, taking vitamin C orally, and inhaling the aroma of fresh orange peel. In fact, these methods can only divert attention and can be used as an alternative for groups who do not like to chew gum. However, a more effective approach is to confront motion sickness head-on and continue to receive multi-faceted stimulation until the body accepts and fully adapts [10].
Bibliography:
[1] Zhang Jingxiang, Zhu Lin, Xing Xinhao, Wang Xinrong, Wang Yan.Research progress on the prevention and treatment of motion sickness[J].Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice,2022,40(03):199-201+247.
[2] Cha YH, Golding JF, Keshavarz B, Furman J, Kim JS, Lopez-Escamez JA, Magnusson M, Yates BJ, Lawson BD; Advisors:. Motion sickness diagnostic criteria: Consensus Document of the Classification Committee of the Bárány Society. J Vestib Res. 2021; 31(5):327-344.
[3] Shen Zhenqian, Ren Tiantian, Wang Yao, Wang Yongjun.Research progress on the evaluation and treatment of physiological indicators of motion sickness[J].Chinese Journal of Otology,2022,20(04):640-644.
[4-6] Drug insert
[7] Kaufeld M, De Coninck K, Schmidt J, Hecht H. Chewing gum reduces visually induced motion sickness. Exp Brain Res. 2022 Feb; 240(2):651-663.
[8] Dahlman J, Sjörs A, Ledin T, Falkmer T. Could sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness? J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2008 Dec 23;5:35.
[9] Alcantara-Thome M, Miguel-Puga JA, Jauregui-Renaud K. Anxiety and Motion Sickness Susceptibility May Influence the Ability to Update Orientation in the Horizontal Plane of Healthy Subjects. Front Integr Neurosci. 2021 Sep 14;15:742100.
[10] Hui Duoduo, Xiong Kaiwen, Hu Wendong.Research progress on non-drug treatment methods for motion sickness[J].Journal of Air Force Military Medical University,2022,43(02):105-108+113.
*This article is for professional information only. Please purchase and use medicines according to the instructions of the drug or under the guidance of a pharmacist.