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7 Cures for Vertigo and Motion Sickness

rmgadmin General Posts , Motion Sickness , Vertigo

Does the prospect of a road trip make you uneasy? Do twisted rural roads cause your stomach to lurch? Are you adamant to make sure you’re always the one driving or riding “shotgun?”

Motion sickness and vertigo can make anyone miserable. Certain people seem prone to these conditions, and we’ll take a detailed look at the causes behind them and how our internal medicine physicians can help you.

What’s The Difference Between Vertigo and Motion Sickness?

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that comes from problems deep within the inner ear. Vertigo can occur regardless of whether or not you’re in a moving vehicle or on a plane. In fact, vertigo can occur even if you’re lying down.

Motion sickness frequently occurs in response to either your motion or the motion in the environment.

Many of the reasons behind vertigo and motion sickness center on what’s happening in the inner ear. We’ll review its role in balance, the difference between vertigo and motion sickness, and what you can do about it.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo gives a severe, false sense of spinning. It’s usually centered on problems with the fluid in the inner ear, which plays a vital role in balance. It usually comes in short bursts lasting for several seconds. Symptoms include:

A feeling that the world is spinning

In certain types of vertigo, this spinning occurs whenever you move your head.

Do You Get Nauseous With Vertigo?

Yes, it’s not at all unusual to get nauseous with vertigo.

What Causes Vertigo?

Sometimes there is no cause. Other times it centers on carbonite crystals in the inner ear that have become dislodged (we’ll explain in more detail when we talk about the inner ear at the end of this article).

We do know that vertigo is more common in the elderly, and it can even be seen after major or mild head trauma. Ménière’s disease and labyrinthitis (an inner ear infection) are also common causes.

What Causes Dizziness and Motion Sickness?

We don’t have to explain what motion sickness is—you may have undoubtedly experienced it either riding in a car or on an amusement park ride. But the causes of dizziness and motion sickness are more nuanced.

First, let’s separate these two conditions.

Dizziness can have several different causes. It’s a symptom and not a disease in itself. If you’re experiencing dizziness, we’re in a unique position to help you as internal medicine doctors in Raleigh.

We’re able to look at your overall health and determine which of your body’s systems are influencing others. This is one of the things that separates internal medicine physicians in Raleigh from other physicians. We look at how these systems interact with the understanding that one disorder can have a “domino” effect on the others.

While motion sickness can cause dizziness, every case of dizziness isn’t due to motion sickness.

Motion sickness occurs when your brain can’t separate conflicting information. This happens when there’s a disconnect between what you see, what you feel, and what your muscles are experiencing.

Consider this example:

You’re flying when the plane goes through turbulence. While your muscles feel the movement and the balance organs in your ear detect a shift, your eye can’t see what is causing the motion. In many cases—especially if you are in an aisle seat—your eyes may not see anything “moving” at all.

These conflicting messages cause the nausea found in motion sickness.

The Inner Ear and Its Role in Balance

To fully understand the far-reaching effects of vertigo and motion sickness, we have to take a closer look at the inner ear , which is considered the balance center of the body.

In your inner ear are several tiny, fluid-filled canals . They also have hair-like sensors that let your body know if you’re standing upright or where the body is in relation to your center of gravity.

At the base of these canals, sensory cells can help you distinguish between motions such as up and down (if you’re in an elevator or an airplane) or forward and backward. They also tell your body if you’re upright or lying down.

These sensors relay their messages to the brain, which can then enable the body to change direction to balance itself or make a different direction in motion.

Can You Take Motion Sickness Pills for Vertigo?

For certain types of vertigo, motion sickness pills may help. However, for other types—such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)—motion sickness pills will not address the underlying issue, and may even delay your recovery.

What Is the Treatment for Motion Sickness and Vertigo?

We evaluate each individual case and recognize that there is no one treatment that is effective for everyone. However, in general, the following can be effective to help those with motion sickness or vertigo.

1. Repositioning

BPPV vertigo can be treated through “repositioning.” This procedure, often done in your doctor’s office, involves placing you in a position that induces vertigo, then turning you carefully into another position.

This change allows fluid and crystals in your inner ear to realign. This treatment has a good success rate.

2. Medications

There are several different medications to treat motion sickness . Contact your medical provider who will explain the benefits of each one and make a recommendation based upon your individualized needs.

U se caution when giving medication to children. Speak with their pediatrician first.

3. Determine Where You Sit

This can be a useful preventative technique when combating motion sickness. Wherever you decide to travel, make sure that you can see some type of motion. By ship that may mean getting a cabin near the water level, while on a plane , it may mean a seat over the front edge of a wing.

Opting to drive or sitting in the upfront passenger seat can help.

The goal is to give your eyes a chance to relay the message of motion to your brain, so that the “signals” between your muscles, eyes and inner ear balance without conflict.

Keep your focus, too. Try to look at the horizon and keep your head still.

If at all possible, avoid sitting around smokers.

4. Consider Ginger

Ginger supplements or even ginger ale can help combat nausea that accompanies motion sickness.

5. Eat Lightly

Avoid having a large meal before traveling. You might want to have some plain crackers to nibble on to help settle your stomach. Carbonated drinks—without caffeine—are also a good idea. Don’t drink alcohol.

6. Acupressure

While research into alternative therapies is ongoing, there is some evidence that a small amount of pressure on your wrist can alleviate nausea. However, other studies have shown mixed results.

7. Fresh Air

If you feel motion sickness coming on, roll down a window or, if possible, go outdoors. Alternatively, you may wish to turn air vents toward you. Essentially, blowing cool air on your face or around your forehead may provide some relief.

Chronic Motion Sickness? Contact Us for An Appointment

Fortunately, most cases of motion sickness can be easily alleviated. However, if you’re having extensive trouble with nausea that resists treatment , it may be a symptom of another condition.

For more than 20 years, we’ve served the Raleigh area as the leading internal medicine doctors in the Triangle area. Contact us for solutions to your motion sickness and vertigo problems.

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Mindy Zenke, CNS, D.N.P., A.P.N.P.

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5 common misconceptions about vertigo, dizziness

Spinning, bleary upward view of trees and sky

Many adults have experienced dizziness. It could have occurred after standing up too quickly, after a carnival ride, after taking a medication or during a migraine. Many body systems, including your muscles, bones, joints, eyes and the inner ear, must work normally for you to have normal balance. When these systems aren't functioning well, you can experience balance problems.

About one-third of Americans at some point experience short-term bouts of feeling foggy, unsteady and lightheaded or feeling a spinning sensation. However, if these sensations recur or affect your life, it is time to talk with your health care provider.

Vertigo vs. dizziness

First, it is important to outline the differences between vertigo and dizziness. While these words are often used interchangeably, they describe different sensations. Dizziness is the feeling of being lightheaded, foggy or unsteady. Vertigo, which is less common than dizziness, is an overall spinning sensation.

Causes of vertigo and dizziness

Several conditions can cause balance problems, and these problems are usually related to a specific sign or symptom. Your health care team can identify the causes of your symptoms.

The most common cause of vertigo is when calcium crystals in your inner ear become dislodged from their normal position. This is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Other causes of vertigo include inflammation of the nerves in your inner ear, migraine, head injury, Meniere's disease, noncancerous tumor or motion sickness.

Often, the feelings of faintness or lightheadedness are caused by a significant drop in blood pressure, such as if you stand or sit up too quickly. Cardiovascular disease is another common cause.

Joint, muscle or vision problems, or nerve damage to your legs, frequently cause feelings of unsteadiness. Other causes could include medications you take, abnormalities in your inner ear or a neurological condition, such as Parkinson's disease.

Finally, dizziness can be caused by medications, abnormalities in your inner ear or psychiatric disorders. It also can occur if you are hyperventilating or breathing rapidly.

Common misconceptions

These conditions often are misunderstood. here are some common misconceptions about vertigo and dizziness:.

Dizziness is always related to ear crystals. While benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common cause of vertigo, it is not associated with symptoms of dizziness. There are many other potential reasons for spells of dizziness.
Home remedies, like performing the canalith repositioning procedure or flushing your ears, will fix the problem. Not only can this be harmful, it can cause more problems. Attempting to reposition crystals without instruction from your health care provider can cause the crystals to be moved incorrectly. There have been instances where patients have given themselves a concussion during the process or damaged their eardrums from flushing liquid into their ears.
Dizziness is all in your head. Unfortunately, some people are told that their symptoms of dizziness or vertigo are not real or a result of mental illness. They are given advice to ignore it, and it will go away. Long-term dizziness and vertigo should not be ignored. Rather, a health care provider should treat these conditions.
Antihistamines, such as meclizine, solve dizziness. Meclizine is used to prevent and control nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It works to block the signals to the brain that cause these symptoms. However, if you have recurring vertigo or dizziness, taking antihistamines is not a good long-term solution. Meclizine can make you feel drowsy, which results in many people falling asleep until the episodes are over. In this situation, the medication is covering the symptoms, but it is not treating the condition.
You just need to deal with this because there are no long-term treatment options. Recurring vertigo or dizziness can significantly affect your life, such as missing social activities, or disrupting your abilities to drive or work. There is hope. Work with your health care team to identify the correct treatment option for you.

If you experience sudden vertigo with a decrease in hearing or ringing in your ear, seek emergency medical treatment. These are symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss, an inflammatory disorder probably caused by a virus that affect the nerves in the balance and hearing portions of your inner ear.

Mindy Zenke is a nurse practitioner in Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT/Otorhinolaryngology) in La Crosse , Sparta and Tomah , Wisconsin.

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The best motion sickness remedies, according to doctors and NBC Select editors

The best remedies for motion sickness include OTC and prescription medications, ginger chews and acupressure wearables.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, you know the feeling of panic that comes with the onset of symptoms like nausea, dizziness and an upset stomach. Motion sickness manifests in different ways and affects many people differently — for me, it hits me almost every time I’m in the passenger seat of a car , on a boat or a bumpy airplane ride ; for others, it can be on a train or in certain areas of a vehicle.

I spoke with four medical experts about how to treat symptoms and prevent them in the first place. I also rounded up my favorite products, as well as those of other NBC Select editors, to deal with motion sickness.

Our top picks for treating motion sickness

Dramamine Ginger Chews

Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews

Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband

UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll On

Care Touch Alcohol Wipes

What exactly causes motion sickness.

Our body is made up of several sensory systems that work together to help us experience the world: The vestibular system, located in our inner ear, gives us balance; the visual system gives us sight and perspective; and the somatosensory system helps us understand where our body is, says Dr. Danielle Qing , internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the department of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. But sometimes, the sensory inputs our brain receives don’t quite add up, and motion sickness usually occurs when the input from these systems is mixed or in conflict, experts say.

“For example, imagine you’re on a boat. The visual system is telling you that the room is still, while the vestibular system is telling you that you’re off balance, given the motion of the waves,” says Qing. “It works the other way too, such as feeling the balance of sitting still in a car but seeing the landscape pass you by quickly. This sensory conflict is where motion sickness develops.”

Other factors that tend to lead to motion sickness include a history of migraines, hormonal changes (for example, pregnant women) and genetics. Allergies and congestion, for example, affect your inner ear due to mucus and pressure buildup, which can throw off sensory signals, says Dr. Barbara Bawer , primary care physician and clinical assistant professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Also, being dehydrated, hungover or sleep-deprived can all increase feelings of nausea or dizziness, says Dr. Terez Malka , a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.

Even mindset can play a big role, and stress and anxiety about travel or motion sickness can make symptoms even worse. “Often, those who expect to get sick are the ones who do,” says Dr. Natascha Tuznik , infectious disease specialist and associate clinical professor of medicine at UC Davis Medical Center. (More on anxiety-related motion sickness below.)

Who is more prone to motion sickness?

Some people are more prone to motion sickness than others due to various factors. For example, women are more susceptible to motion sickness than men, and people experiencing hormonal changes (during pregnancy, for example) may also be more prone to motion sickness, says Tuznik. Children under 2 years old and adults over the age of 50 are usually the least susceptible to motion sickness, while it is most common in kids between the ages of 2 and 12, says Tuznik.

People with a history of migraines or those with certain medical conditions that impact the inner ear or balance center in the brain, including hearing damage and tumors or masses, can experience motion sickness symptoms at a higher rate, experts say.

There is also a genetic component: If your parents get motion sick, you are more likely to experience motion sickness, too, says Malka.

What are the best ways to prevent motion sickness?

The most effective way to avoid motion sickness symptoms is to prevent it altogether. That means avoiding situations that can trigger nausea and dizziness, such as reading in a moving vehicle or sitting in the backseat of a car, according to my experts. However, if that’s unavoidable, here are some expert-recommended tips for preventing motion sickness in any situation:

Use your environment: If you’re at sea, try looking at the horizon, or another stationary object or fixture if you’re in a moving vehicle, says Tuznik.
Take any medications in advance: Malka says all motion sickness medications work best if taken 20-40 minutes before you start traveling.
Avoid reading or staring at a stationary object: This includes putting down your phone or tablet, experts say. “Your eyes are looking at one thing, which is your screen or your phone or your book, but your ears are hearing things going past or your eyes are also moving,” says Bawer. “Let’s say you look up really quickly, and you see things whizzing by you. But when you look back down at the page, it sends mixed signals, and there’s a disconnect.”
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,” says Tuznik.
Stay hydrated and eat light: Make sure you drink water as you travel and avoid alcohol before and during traveling because a hangover or dehydration will make your symptoms much worse, says Malka. “Eating a light meal or frequent, easy-to-digest snacks like crackers so you are not too full or empty is typically best,” she says.
Be prepared: “ Getting adequate sleep and making sure you are dressed comfortably for the weather and not too warm, can also help keep your stomach settled,” says Malka.

Do medications work for motion sickness?

Several over-the-counter and prescription medications can help relieve or prevent motion sickness. All of the experts I spoke to say that OTC and prescription medications are some of the most effective treatments for motion sickness, with the latter being the best way to relieve severe nausea, dizziness and other typical symptoms.

Keep in mind that most of the following medications are antihistamines, which means they can make you feel drowsy. They may also come with certain side effects. Our experts generally recommend avoiding medications if you have mild symptoms because the side effects tend to outweigh the benefits.

OTC medications

Dimenhydrinate , also known by the brand name Dramamine , is a popular option to help reduce motion sickness symptoms like nausea. However, it is an antihistamine, which means it may cause drowsiness, dizziness and decreased mental alertness, says Tuznik. “Unfortunately, not much can be done to mitigate the side effects,” says Tuznik. “If you’ve taken it before, you should expect similar side effects each time.” You should avoid taking Dramamine while driving, according to experts.
Meclizine , also known by the brand name Bonine , is similar to Dramamine, but is less likely to cause drowsiness since you take it once a day (while you should take Dramamine every four to six hours as needed), says Tuznik.

Remember that non-sedative OTC antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra won’t be effective for treating or preventing motion sickness, says Tuznik.

Prescription medications

Scopolamine patches: A prescription-only transdermal patch you can wear behind your ear at least four hours before travel and use for up to 72 hours to prevent or treat motion sickness, experts say. This is the most effective treatment for motion sickness, according to experts.
Ondansetron, promethazine and cyclizine are oral medications and sedatives that treat nausea and vomiting. Like other anti-nausea medications I mention above, these are drowsy (sedating) antihistamines. They come with potential side effects, so talk to your primary care doctor or travel clinic about whether these medications are right for you.

Are there any alternative remedies for motion sickness?

If you have mild motion sickness or aren’t looking to endure the side effects of anti-nausea medication, there are several natural remedies to try. Keep in mind that these remedies, like aromatherapy and acupressure, have limited research showing effectiveness and whether they actually work usually varies from person to person.

Aromatherapy

Research shows that bad smells, like car fumes or cigarette smoke, can worsen motion sickness, while pleasant smells, like peppermint essential oils, may help reduce nausea. No major studies prove essential oils are safe or effective at treating motion sickness; however, ginger and peppermint essential oils or extracts have shown some promise in small studies , says Malka.

Zoe Malin , NBC Select associate updates editor, uses the UpNature Peppermint Essential Oil Roll-On to reduce her car sickness. “I keep a little roller ball of peppermint essential oil in my bathroom and apply it to my wrists before I go on a car ride, which is when I tend to experience the most motion sickness,” says Malin. “If I start getting nauseous, I’ll smell the essential oil — after a few deep breaths, the scent starts to dull the nausea.”

Woman applying peppermint oil on the inside of her wrists using a roll-on applicator

It is important to remember not to ingest essential oils or apply them directly to your skin, and to keep them away from children or pets, says Malka.

Ginger extract

Ginger can be an effective and natural way of preventing and treating nausea, according to several studies . Smaller studies have also shown that ginger spice is effective at reducing motion-related nausea .

Ginger comes in several forms, including chews, candies, supplement capsules, teas and tablets. Though there is no ideal dose for motion sickness, ginger generally helps your digestive system and supports the release of blood pressure-regulating hormones to calm the body, which ultimately reduces nausea, says Tuznik.

For my motion sickness, I’m a fan of the Dramamine Ginger Chews because they have a subtle ginger taste compared to others I’ve tried (ginger can be intense, in my experience), are fast-acting and have a chewy texture that makes it feel like I’m eating regular candy. Despite the brand name, these chews do not actually have the dimenhydrinate medicine that we commonly associate with Dramamine, so it does not leave you feeling drowsy.

One wrapped and one unwrapped Gin Gins ginger chew on a marble table

If you want a harder candy with a stronger taste, both Malin and I love the Gin Gins Original Ginger Chews . The strong ginger flavor stops motion sickness in the first place, in both my and Malin's experience. “Not only does the ginger taste of these candies make me feel less nauseous, but chewing them also gives me something to focus on other than how sick I feel in the car,” says Malin. “I’ve tried other ginger candies, but these are the only ones that have an intense enough flavor to dull my nausea.”

Acupressure

Some studies show that applying pressure on a certain point of the inner wrist may help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, specifically at the pericardium 6 (P-6) acupressure point, which is three finger-widths away from the wrist, experts say.

Woman wearing a Sea-Band wristband on her left wrist next to a car window

Since I have severe motion sickness when I’m on a boat or in a moving car, I used the Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristbands on each wrist during a vacation to Italy. Each band has a small plastic circle that presses on the P-6 pressure point, and they helped me avoid nausea and dizziness when on a tour boat in the Mediterranean ocean, on a ferry on the Amalfi Coast and in a small van riding through the hilly Tuscan vineyards.

While many people, including me, swear that pressing on an acupressure point at the base of the wrist or wearing bands that press on this area reduces motion sickness, research has not shown them to have much impact on symptoms. “But there is no harm in using them, either,” says Qing. They are also safe and relatively inexpensive to try, says Tuznik.

Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

Smelling rubbing alcohol can be a safe way to relieve nausea symptoms, and it’s sometimes as effective as some medications, says Malka. “Packaged single-use alcohol swabs are a safe, portable measure that you can bring with you to use as needed,” she says.

Frequently asked questions

Most motion sickness medications work best when you take them 20-40 minutes before you start traveling, so make sure to plan ahead, says Malka.

Avoid taking motion sickness medicines after the onset of symptoms. “Once you have the symptoms already, a lot of the anti-motion sickness medicines are not going to work as well because your stomach processing slows down, so the absorption of the medication you're taking at that moment is going to be decreased,” says Bawer. “It’s still going to work, but it just won’t be as effective.”

For people with a history of mild motion sickness (which means that it does not interfere with your ability to function), experts recommend environmental modifications and natural remedies. Medications are usually not recommended because the side effects may outweigh the benefits, says Tuznik.

Though motion sickness is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 12, some motion sickness medicines are not recommended for children. Talk to your child’s doctor about medicines and correct dosing for motion sickness, and only give the recommended dosage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

One of the most common motion sickness triggers is stress and anxiety, specifically anxiety before you even start your travels. “If you know that anxiety or nerves cause a lot of motion sickness for you, talk with your doctor or a therapist before you leave about some options to reduce anxiety like meditation, breathwork, journaling or, in some cases, medication,” says Malka.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Danielle Qing is an internal medicine physician and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, division of General Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Dr. Barbara Bawer is a primary care physician and clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Dr. Terez Malka is a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care platform.
Dr. Natascha Tuznik is an infectious disease specialist and an associate clinical professor of medicine and associate program director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship at UC Davis Medical Center.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am an updates editor at NBC Select covering a wide range of wellness topics, including sunscreen for kids , deodorants and antiperspirants , and rosacea treatments . For this article, I spoke to four physicians about the best ways to treat and prevent motion sickness, including OTC remedies and prescription medications. I also rounded up some NBC Select editor-favorite treatments for motion sickness.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Mili Godio is an updates editor for Select on NBC News.

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Travel Sickness – 36 Tried and Tested Tips to Help You

5 June 2024

I’ve suffered from travel sickness all my life and get sick in cars, on coaches, on planes and on boats.

Over the years I’ve tried all sorts of treatments with varying impacts. Here are all the things that I have found that help.

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Travel Sickness

Table of Contents

What is travel sickness?

u003cstrongu003eTravel sickness, sometimes described as motion sickness, is a feeling of nausea and dizziness. It is caused when the brain becomes confused by receiving differing information from your eyes and your inner ear. u003c/strongu003e

1. Travel Sickness – What Is It Like?

It’s pretty grim and it does take the fun out of travelling because all your attention is on trying not to be ill.

Travel sickness symptoms include;

Nausea (feeling sick) which can lead to being sick
Mouth watering
Feeling hot and sweaty
Having a headache
Burping (often feeling like you are going to be sick)
Feeling tired

It can come on quite quickly and be difficult to shift.

Read on for my tips on how to prevent travel sickness in the first place!

2. Can You Cure Travel Sickness?

In my experience, you can’t cure travel sickness. Children may grow out of travel experience but for adults, it is a case of managing the symptoms.

Good prevention techniques and a bit of planning will significantly reduce travel sickness symptoms.

3. How Long Does Travel Sickness Last?

Travel sickness can last longer than the time you are travelling. The fluid in your inner ear can be disturbed and this can take quite a while to settle down.

After journeys that have been long, or perhaps difficult because they have been bumpy or undulating you can feel like you are still moving even when you have stopped.

However, for most people travel sickness will stop soon after you have stopped moving.

4. How Do You Stop Travel Sickness?

You can’t stop travel sickness but you can take steps to reduce the chances of getting it and minimise any potential symptoms.

Here are my tried and tested tips and techniques for preventing and managing various types of travel sickness.

5. Reducing Car Sickness

Here are how I avoid travel sickness when travelling in a car;

Offering to drive – this is an easy way to never get travel sick in a car but it’s not always that practical if you are travelling with others.
Avoid getting too hot by turning the air conditioning down, pointing the air vents towards you so there is a breeze on your face, and reducing the sun on your face and head.
Use a handheld fan to ensure you don’t get too hot.
Opening the window to get some fresh air in the car.
Looking out the front window and looking straight ahead as much as possible.
Avoiding reading whether that be books, online documents or even reading messages.
Keeping hydrated with regular sips of water – too much water can make you feel a bit sick so be careful.
Sucking on ginger sweets keeps any early feelings of nausea at bay.

6. Reducing Sea Sickness

Here are the ways I avoid seasickness when travelling by boat/ship;

Finding a seat that is near the centre of the boat to avoid the extremes of movement.
Focussing on the view at the front of the boat, but avoiding looking at the front of the boat itself as seeing this going up and down against the horizon can cause sickness.
Keeping cool by staying out of the sun and finding somewhere to sit with a cooler temperature.
Sucking on ginger sweets to keep early feelings of nausea at bay.
Staying outside if the boat is moving around a lot – staying in the cold open air can often prevent nausea, but a coat and hat may be needed if the weather is rough.
Avoid moving around the boat when it is rough or bumpy.
Check if there are likely to be any bumpy patches during your journey and planning. For example one of the Scottish ferries crosses a water channel which is always rough and bumpy. To avoid feeling ill I always go outside ahead of arriving at this water channel and come back inside once we have passed through it.
Avoiding excessive drinking and eating. Eating and drinking too much can make any potential seasickness worse, although not eating enough can also increase feelings of seasickness. If the journey is relatively short then consider your eating plans for the day and make sure you don’t end up being hungry on the boat.
Drinking excessive alcohol can make travel sickness worse. Ginger beer and tonic water can help minimise feelings of sickness so perhaps consider them instead of alcohol?
Keeping a handheld fan available to help you stay cool.
If you are travelling overnight on a ferry then I would recommend a cabin. Being able to lie down is one of the best ways to deal with seasickness.
Consider taking ginger tablets before you travel by boat/ship. These can help manage feelings of sickness.

7. Reducing Coach Sickness

Here are my tried and tested ways to deal with coach sickness;

Sit at the front of the coach if possible or sit towards the front of the coach, ideally ahead of the axle on the coach.
If there is a toilet and door in the middle of the coach then the seat behind the toilet has a better view out of the window. This seat can have less legroom sometimes so beware. If the toilet is being used on the coach then this may not be a good option because over time the toilet can smell which can increase the chances of sickness.
Sit in the middle of the back seat on the coach. This seat has a view right down the aisle of the coach and this can often help with coach sickness. However, if the coach is travelling along a twisty or bumpy route then sitting at the rear of the coach can be extremely bumpy so is likely to make you feel worse. Also, beware that sometimes the engine is at the back of the coach and this can make it warmer or noisier.
Sit in an aisle seat as it is easier to see out towards the front of the coach rather than looking out of the side windows.
Keep cool by using the air vents which should be located overhead. If the temperature is too hot then tell the guide/driver so they can adjust this. If air is not circulating around the coach very well it can help if everyone has their air vents open and they can point them at the window if they don’t want air blowing on them directly.
Have a handheld fan so that you can keep yourself cooler.
Avoid sitting in the sun on the coach.
Have layers so you can adjust between the temperatures inside and outside of the coach.
Sucking on ginger sweets can help keep early feelings of nausea at bay.
Consider taking ginger tablets, especially if travelling on twisty or bumpy roads, as these can help. If you are unsure about road conditions check with your driver or guide – they will be happy to help.
Keep some headphones with you. Having headphones in can help reduce feelings of sickness.
Avoid reading if it is likely to make you feel sick – this includes books and being online.
Watching something on a tablet like a TV show or a film can often help with travel sickness by helping you to avoid the moving horizon or the view out of the side window.
Avoid alcohol and eating too much as this can make feelings of travel sickness much worse.

8. Things That Have Helped Me

Ginger Sweets

These ginger sweets are the best I have found. They are travel sweets so they won’t all stick together and they are not too strong. If ginger sweets are too strong they can make you feel quite sick which is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve.

I’ve suffered from travel sickness all my life and get sick in cars, on coaches, on planes and on boats. Over the years I’ve tried all sorts of treatments with varying impacts. Here are all the things that I have found that help. Links You Might Find Helpful:Private Tour Operator Shore Excursions from InvernessPrivate Half-Day…

Rechargeable Travel Fan

This fan might look tiny but it certainly puts out a pleasant breeze and it can operate for quite a long time on one charge. It’s very small and compact. It can easily be tucked into the seat back in front of you or easily held in your hand. It charges using a USB cable.

This is on my list for my next trip to somewhere that is likely to be a bit warmer and sunnier. It’s a rechargeable fan that blows air into your face and also around your neck. It’s £23.99 but if it is as good as it looks then it is well worth it! It’s got great reviews and it also seems to help well with hot flushes too.

Ginger Tablets

These ginger tablets are strong, but not so strong that you leave you getting ginger flavoured indigestion all day long. They are Vegan society approved and £5.99 for 90 tablets. They are also available for Prime Delivery.

Travel Sickness Patches

I haven’t tried these yet but have just ordered some. They have good reviews and look to give relief from travel sickness without any side effects.

There are very reasonably priced wireless earbuds. They help me with travel sickness.

Travel Sickness FAQs

How do you stop travel sickness?

Medication can stop travel sickness. Some medications can cause drowsiness. There are various other options including ginger tablets, sweets, fans, wristbands, patches and headphones.

How long does travel sickness last?

You can experience travel sickness symptoms for up to 4 hours after you have stopped moving.

Travel Sickness Tablets

Many people I have travelled with over the years have tried travel sickness tablets. However, the vast majority have advised that they often feel as bad or sometimes worse when taking these tablets.

They have given my guests a low level of nausea which has affected their enjoyment of their day and this nausea has often continued after we stopped travelling.

Travel Sickness Bands

Often people will wear travel bands. These wristbands use acupressure and are worn around the wrists. Some people swear by these and some people report no effect at all.

At £3 for 2 pairs, they are probably worth a try if you haven’t done so already.

These travel bands come with full instructions to help you position them correctly on your wrist. They are also available for Prime Delivery.

Travel Sickness – NHS Help and Information

If you want to know more about travel sickness (motion sickness) then check out the NHS website. This gives more information on symptoms and treatment, plus medicines available for severe sickness.

Traveling with Vertigo and Dizziness: Helpful Strategies

by Dr. Kimberley Bell, DPT | Dec 5, 2019 | Blogs , BPPV , Dizziness , Dr. Kim Bell DPT , Geriatric Fall Prevention , Laughter , Migraines , My Healing Journey , Preventing Falls , San Diego , The Bell Method , Travel Tips for People with Dizziness , Vertigo , Walking Stability | 8 comments

I recently traveled to visit my family in the other part of the USA while I was suffering with dizziness and vertigo . While I was traveling with vertigo, I started making notes on the strategies that I came up with to minimize my discomfort and “get through it.”

I have other blogs on flying with vertigo , travel tips for people with dizziness and vertigo , sensory overload in the airport , and more…

This is a list of specific strategies that I want to share with you.

Preparing for the Airport

Give yourself plenty of time so you don’t have to rush and trigger your sympathetic nervous system while traveling with vertigo. If you get triggered into a stress response because you are rushing or running late, that will most likely make your dizziness and vertigo feel worse.

Wear shoes that securely fasten with a thin, non skid sole so you feel more stable while traveling.

If you get stressed, take a few breaths through your nose, instead of mouth breathing or holding your breath. That nasal breathing will help your nervous system calm down.

Going through Security Checkpoint

You can use the wheelchair reservation as a bypass to this problematic area.

Walking through switchbacks to go through security check point can exacerbate dizziness and vertigo.

One strategy is to walk slowly, finding a focal point for your eyes every time you turn around. Once you find a focal point, then walk towards it. Find another focal point as soon as you turn the next corner in the switchbacks that lead up to the security checkpoint.

Taking off your shoes and putting them back on, when traveling with vertigo, can cause falls if you are having dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance.

One strategy, when traveling with vertigo, is to sit down on a chair to take off and put on your shoes before and after the security checkpoint. By sitting down, you don’t have to bend forward which may trigger vertigo and you won’t have to try to balance on one foot.

Tip: I suggest purchasing a water bottle as soon as you get through the security checkpoint so that you reduce the risk of dehydration .

While Moving Through the Airport

While moving through the airport, there is a busy visual background with complex patterns and lots of moving people.

Try to stay calm and find a focal point as you go. You can use the head or backpack of the person in front of you. Finding a focal point is especially helpful while on a conveyor belt or escalator, instead of looking around. Make sure your focal point is close to you.

Minimize head turns while walking through airport or riding escalator or conveyor belt. Head turns often make people with dizziness or vertigo feel worse.

Pull a carryon that can stand upright on its own four wheels even when you are not rolling it. The carryons that roll on all four wheels are easier to roll along while you walk, rather than carryon bags that you have to lean to roll on only two wheels.

Hold onto the handrail on escalators, stairs, or moving walkways to provide an extra balance point in these challenging areas. Of course, make sure you wash your hands well with soap and water frequently while traveling since these surfaces are often contaminated with germs from other travelers.

Ask For Help

Ask for help if needed and accept help when offered when traveling with vertigo.

For example, a woman in front of me at the bathroom sink had her cane fall underneath the sink. When I saw it fall, I asked her if she wanted me to pick it up for her. She said yes and graciously smiled. I saw that the cane was purple – my favorite color and had four prongs (quad cane) so I immediately assumed she most likely had a stroke so I smiled saying, “I love this color!” Overall, it was a very pleasant exchange with a random stranger. It would have been very sad if she had attempted to pick up her can by herself and fallen down in the bathroom.

Laughing and smiling will help you stay calm, when traveling with vertigo, even while you are uncomfortable.

Whenever you have a chance to remember, make sure you smile to give your body the signal that everything is ok.

Follow some of these tips and traveling with vertigo will be a breeze!

This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.

I need to travel by auto for 2 hrs to visit a Dr. I am limited to 45 mph because of vertigo side effects. I need suggestions on making this trip without further damaging my symptoms. I have a driver.

Without knowing the root cause of your vertigo, it is hard to guess what might make this trip easier for you.

I would plan ahead to take as many stops as you need to make along the way.

This blog has some vertigo home remedies that may help you in the car.

Keeping the car cool, by running the air conditioning may help reduce your symptoms.

In this blog , I discuss more strategies for dealing with dizziness.

Many people prefer to sit in the front seat, rather than the back seat, but you will have to figure out which is best for you.

Some people like to look around through the windows, while other people feel better keeping their eyes inside the vehicle focused on the dashboard or their lap.

You will have to try various strategies to see what feels the best to you personally.

I suggest that you take time to prepare for the visit by writing up a summary of your vertigo by answering the questions I ask in this blog .

I hope you find answers and relief soon!

Kim Bell, DPT

I have vertigo eposode 2 times consult with ent and neurologist.can i travel for long joirney.medicine vertin stemstil taken from 15 days

I suggest you ask that same question to your ENT and/ or Neurologist.

I don’t know the answer since I have not evaluated you in person.

Best wishes!

what can you do if you suddenly have a vertigo attack during a flight?

Hi Deborah,

Hopefully you have medication for vertigo in your carry on bag or your pocket that you can take.

You can also try these home remedies .

I offer more travel tips in the following three articles:

Travel tips 1

Travel tips 2

Travel tips 3

Thank you for the information about traveling with Vertigo. I recently had a Cerebellar stroke, which fortunately has not caused extensive damage. We were away from home when it happened so I am going home tomorrow in a camper. It’s a 4-5 hour drive so I am dreading it as I still have significant vertigo. I appreciate all the suggestions. As I can lie down in the camper I assumed that would be the best way to travel so I am so grateful to read that lying down may make it worse. Thank you everyone for their contributions I will be nibbling on ginger, taking tummy breaths through my nose and finding out the best position for my eyes. I cannot begin to imagine how it is to live with this challenging condition as mine is only occasional now. Every good wish to you all, Kind regards Pauline

Hi Pauline,

I’m sorry to hear about all this! Typically lying down makes vertigo worse for patients with BPPV.

If your vertigo is from a stroke, then you can try different positions to figure out what position feels best for you for traveling, in your individual case.

When you get home, I hope you can find a physical therapist who is board certified in neurologic physical therapy. That PT will have the initials NCS after their degree.

I wish you all the best with your recovery!

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Flying with Vertigo: Tips for Plane Travel with Vertigo

by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT | Dec 14, 2019 | Blogs , BPPV , Cervical Dizziness , Clinical Practice , Dizziness , Geriatric Fall Prevention , Kimberley Bell, DPT , Migraines , My Healing Journey , Physical Therapy , Preventing Falls , San Diego , Shuffling Feet , The Bell Method , Travel Tips for People with Dizziness , Vertigo , Vestibular Rehabilitation , Walking Stability

Flying with Vertigo - Dr. Kim Bell, DPT - San Diego Vertigo Doctor

Can you go flying with Vertigo?

Many people ask me if they can go flying with vertigo. I cannot make that decision for you but I can share tips to get through the airport more comfortably. I have published three past blogs with helpful tips for flying with vertigo, travel tips for people with dizziness and vertigo, and strategies for getting through the airport .

In this blog, I share additional insights and information about managing dizziness, vertigo, and nausea in the airport due to sensory overload. I discovered these strategies by traveling with dizziness, vertigo and nausea to visit my family last month.

Sensory Overload in the Airport

Sensory overload can occur when your brain is receiving too much new input at once, such as loud music with a spinning disco ball. Overloading your senses with too much stimuli can exacerbate dizziness, vertigo, and nausea.

These feelings will become worse if the experience also triggers anxiety.

You may have to ride on elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. These moving platforms change the way the vestibular system is being stimulated, may cause a change in visual input or create a conflict between visual and vestibular input. That is why the experience may induce or increase existing discomfort.

There are a lot of people, smells, and sounds that are unfamiliar that can cause sensory overload.

The best way I have learned to deal with this, when flying with vertigo, is to try to shut out as much as possible and use strategies to manage what I cannot avoid.

Visually Complex Environment

The airport is a chaotic hustle and bustle environment, which creates “visual complex” surroundings similar to the supermarket. People are walking around in all different directions at different speeds, with almost no uniformity.

Sometimes I wear my polarized sunglasses in the airport if I am feeling visually triggered, to cut down on glare from the windows and tile floors.

Other strategies that I use are to keep my eyes straight ahead and avoid swiveling my head all around while I am walking through a busy airport.

Once I get to a seat at my departure gate, I try to keep my eyes focused on something that is directly on my lap.

I may even softly close my eyes to block out all the movement and colors in my peripheral vision.

An eye mask may be beneficial once you are on the plane. I do not recommend it for the airport since it increases the risk of someone stealing your belongings.

Once you are on the plane, try to position yourself so that you cannot see any other passenger’s television screen in your peripheral vision.

Reducing visual input when flying with vertigo is especially important if you are experiencing migraine-associated dizziness, vertigo , or nausea while traveling.

Constant Overhead Announcements

Inside an airport, you simply cannot avoid being constantly bombarded with overhead announcements. For some people with dizziness, vertigo, or sensory overload, the overhead announcements may exacerbate their discomfort.

These loud overhead announcements continue, although to a lesser extent, on the plane.

Some strategies that might help when flying with vertigo include wearing ear plugs or ear muffs to muffle the intensity of the sound. You an also use headphones to listen to soft music, ocean waves, or other relaxing audio recordings like nature sounds while you are traveling.

Reducing auditory input is especially helpful for reducing migraine-associated vertigo while traveling.

Travel Causes Dehydration

Dehydration is a common result of traveling. Dehydration can result in two specific problems related to dizziness and vertigo .

Sometimes dehydration can trigger an onset of BPPV vertigo. This is usually first felt while lying down or rolling over in bed , but can also cause imbalance while standing.

Dehydration can also cause orthostatic hypotension. This is when blood pressure drops with standing up and causes lightheadedness.

In order to minimize dehydration, I recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol in airport bars and on the plane. Alcohol can cause or worsen symptoms of dizziness and vertigo, and may interact with medications.

Low Blood Sugar Causes Dizziness

I also suggest that you pack healthy snacks to avoid low blood sugar when flying with vertigo.

On the Plane

Opt for a soft cervical collar neck brace instead of a Travel pillow for more support. You can purchase a soft cervical collar at most walk-in pharmacies.

During the flight, you may feel triggered by changes in cabin pressure, strong smells of body odor or perfume of neighbors, and turbulence. Any of these sensory stimuli could make you feel more dizzy, or they may not bother you at all.

Those sensory inputs may be especially magnified and unpleasant if you have a vestibular migraine .

For changes in cabin pressure, you can try to make sure to pop your ears by chewing candy or gum. Chewing and swallowing will help your Eustachian tube gape open to regulate the air pressure in your middle ear.

You can cover your nose with a scarf or handkerchief if your neighbor has on strong cologne or bad breath that is making you feel nauseous.

You can brace yourself with your arms on the armrests, and knees resting against the seat in front of you if you feel like you are losing your balance during any turbulence.

The most important thing is to stay calm so you do not escalate any true dizziness, vertigo, or nausea. Stress makes those uncomfortable symptoms feel worse and last longer than they would if you remain calm.

I was able to remain calm while I was traveling by focusing on what I wanted to share with you about the experience.

39 Comments

Hi Dr. Bell,

I am so grateful that I discovered your website. I am learning a lot about BPPV . I have been diagnosed with left lateral canalithiasis by my PT (specializing in vestibular rehab). I have been going to her for more than a month now. it’s a slow process, still experiencing dizziness, visual problems, and lately lightheadedness,. I guess because I had the condition 3 weeks before finally finding the appropriate health care professional.

As much as possible, I do not want to take Gravol or betahistine (which my family doctor prescribed). My PT advised that medication does not really help with BPPV.

I read about Reliefband for motion sickness. I wonder if this will also help ease my dizziness and lightheadedness. It’s a struggle to go to work and have these symptoms and if I can get away with it, I do not want to take any medication.

Best regards from Canada, Sara

I am sorry for what you are going through but I am happy you have found a skilled Vestibular Physio in Canada to help you! I am also glad that my website is a helpful resource for you.

Studies have reported that BPPV resolves with proper treatment in 1-2 sessions about 85-90% of the time. Of course, that leaves 10-15% of BPPV cases that are more stubborn, requiring more treatments to resolve.

I definitely suggest that you advocate for a comprehensive root cause analysis to account for every symptom that you have.

Sometimes BPPV is accurately diagnosed, but is only a piece of a more complex puzzle.

I have written this blog , this blog , and this blog about medications for dizziness and vertigo. You might find that information helpful.

The band you are mentioning may or may not work for you. Everyone is different. What works for some people does not necessarily work for every one.

Either the band or the medications, whichever you use, will only “mask the symptoms” and allow you to function temporarily. That is a decision to discuss with your current healthcare team.

The most important step in recovery is to determine the root cause of your problem and work to resolve it.

I have treated a number of Canadians who were happy to make the trip to San Diego! You are always welcome to come down here if you would like my help in person.

Best wishes,

Kim Bell, DPT

My daughter is 26 and suffering from this now/ she exercised every day at boot camp and now is limited to this. Isn’t she to young for this?

These symptoms can affect people of any age.

I always recommend notifying the primary care provider or general practitioner about any new symptoms.

You can write up her case summary using this blog .

You can search for a local vertigo specialist using this blog .

I hope she finds answers and relief soon!

Thank you for these tips. Vertigo has been with me for the past 3 months. I take “Serc” twice a day and it does help enough that I can continue working. I am planning a trip in the near future and am nervous about feeling dizzy while away from home.

I feel for you because I also have the same problem. It’s been with me for 4 years.

Have you been on a plane as yet?

Vertigo has been with me for the past 3 years. I haven’t found the root cause even if I’ve seen several doctors and specialists. I would rather die than having another vertigo ahead. I hope I can find the root cause one day.

I am sorry to hear about this!

I suggest you find a local vertigo doctor or vestibular physical therapist to have an evaluation.

You can search for a local provider using this blog .

I hope you find answers and get relief soon!

I hope your vertigo is long gone now. But I wanted to share my experience about flying with vertigo.

I was diagnosed with bppv about six years ago. Had two sessions but didn’t help.

So I just tried to live with it like sleeping on my right side. Have two pillows instead of one.

I did feel dizzy few times a day but it was nothing like the whole room spinning around when I first had my vertigo.

I flew 13 hours straight on an international flight. The flight didn’t bother me on both ways. That was 2018.

Then my vertigo was completely gone after 2020.

I started joining taekwondo class with my daughter. I was really happy.

Then we went on a vacation on December 2022 to Caribbean.

On the way there I was ok but I did think the plane was really loud. I got stuffed ears when the plane starting to go off.

But that was it. I didn’t feel anything after that.

Then on the way back, it was four hours flight to Dallas. I was really dizzy I felt like I was going to pass out any minute after half way to Dallas.

My husband told me to try to breathe. So I closed my eyes. Covered my ears with my fingers the whole time.

I was still dizzy after got off plane but was able to walk. I laid in my bed for two days hoping to get better after we got home.

Then third day I was better so I thought I would take my daughter to the movie.

Bad decision. I got dizzy again after the 3d movie.

It’s been two weeks now. Still have my vertigo.

Sometimes I feel good but most of the time I am dizzy. Not too bad but just not comfortable.

I think smaller airplanes are louder and bumper and we had some turbulence that made my vertigo back.

I am going to see my doctor for this again. Hopefully I will feel better soon.

I’ve struggled off and on with Vertigo @ once a year for 12 years. My recent appt with an ENT Dr. recommended some vertigo exercises at home. Since mine is recurring, they suggest doing the exercises daily.

I have several episodes of vertigo the year. The only way I was able to get out of it by having 8 sessions of vestibular therapy I am taking a 13 hour flight and I am skeptical about it

Help….. Im really distressed as my symptoms just are so debilitating. I have no proper diagnosis yet even after a year of Symptons. Light-headedness, wobbly sensations and in worst case scenarios the ground feels like it is moving like a trampoline especially after driving. No spinning just out of sync feeling, a lot of discomfort and now I feel as if I am destined to stay housebound. I’m frantic at this thought. When I am outdoors the Symptons are much less. Shopping centres and big stores are a night ere. Help. I’m in Northern Ireland

I am sorry to hear of your distress!

People with symptoms like yours can still improve with Vestibular Physical Therapy , even without a proper diagnosis.

You can use this blog to try to find a provider in your area.

This blog has some home remedies that may help.

I hope you find answers and relief soon!

I am also feeling all your symptoms. I was diagnosed with cervocogenic dizziness stemming from the neck. Problems with the neck can cause vertigo and we wouldn’t think it was the neck. I found out that the neck, eyes, and ears are all connected with the vestibular system, and have to work well together. I didn’t know any of this before my symptoms. I’m still experiencing symptoms but I’m in vestibular physical therapy now.

Did you ever get a diagnosis or find a treatment that worked? I have had these same symptoms you describe for a month now. I have went to a pt serval times doing the Epley maneuver and it is not helping whatsoever.

I have vertigo and I was wondering if you have any suggestions I’m getting ready to fly from St. Louis to Madison Wisconsin and I had totally forgot about having it I haven’t had no symptoms lately and now I’m worried that I’m gonna end up sick and Curled up in a ball like I was the first time it happened My daughter had to call the ambulance the first time it happened because I couldn’t move and now it just comes back sometimes but I can tell before my feet hit the ground in the morning when I get out of bed if I’m gonna have a bad day and now I’m going to fly any suggestions

Yikes! Curled up in a ball and then riding in an ambulance sounds like a bad day.

This blog talks about a common cause of vertigo that people often feel before their feet hit the ground in the morning.

You can find a provider who treats that common type of vertigo using this blog .

I have four total blogs on traveling with dizziness and vertigo . I am glad you found this one!

Here are the links for the other three blogs I wrote to share my travel tips: Article 2 Article 3 Article 4

I hope that information is helpful!

Never had this before until last weekend and had no idea what I had or what was wrong with me. I couldn’t get up at all because room was spinning so badly and was so nauseated. I finally had to crawl to the bathroom and then down the hall to kitchen. End result was ambulance to ER. Was really scared. That determination was a bad reaction to a new med and they sent me home. Two days later was still sick and dizzy and no better. So back to ER in ambulance and then was admitted. After several tests and several drs was determined vertigo. Did first therapy this morning. Nothing I ever want to experience again.

I’m happy I ran across your website, there is a lot of helpful information here. I have had vertigo for 4 years now with no real diagnosis but my symptoms align most with BPPV. The only thing is when I do the tests for the BPPV diagnosis it doesn’t indicate I have BPPV. The strange thing is every time I get a vertigo attack I stop it by using the Epley maneuver. That is why I feel like I most likely have BPPV. Does that sound like something that would be possible in your opinion?

BPPV is a unique condition in that it responds to treatment very quickly, if properly assessed and treated.

You may be interested in this blog and this blog , which may help to answer your question.

This blog may also be helpful.

I am glad that you found relief, most importantly!

I have been diagnosed by a neurologist with vestibular issues and nystagmus after… a fall in the yard. I’m in therapy for these and was improving. However, I went on a trip to the Caribbean and, after flying, being in the ocean and on a boat, my symptoms worsened. This was described by my neurologist as a “sensory mismatch”. What are your thoughts on this?

My thoughts are that traveling by plane or boat can exacerbate vestibular issues, so it does not surprise me that you feel worse after your trip.

I would consider that a “setback” in your recovery. However, sometimes you just have to live your life.

My suggestion is to return to the vestibular therapy and keep at it, since it has helped you improve before. If you do have a sensory mismatch, then vestibular therapy can help you get back on track.

I am glad you were able to enjoy the Caribbean! Hopefully the mental imagery and relaxation you experienced can keep you calm and peaceful as you work through your vestibular rehabilitation .

I have written this article and this article on reasons why vestibular therapy does not work, so you may want to check those out and avoid those common pitfalls.

Thank you, Kim. I’m back in vision/brain therapy and have seen some slow improvement. I also have chronic Lyme and mast cell activation. So there are a lot of things affecting my neurological system and my eyes.

Hi, I was diagnosed with BPPV back in June 2021 did 2 treatments of Physio vestibular and everything stopped no more dizziness etc. Now I am going on a trip taking the plane on October 25 and wanted to know will BPPV come back with the pressure of plane or is it really just with the movement of head that BPPV comes back. Thank you!

That is a great question! Traveling is a common cause of BPPV recurrence for many of my patients.

You can learn more at this blog: BPPV Symptoms

I think one key point here is that there is a difference between causes of a new onset or recurrence of BPPV , which is the actual dislodging of new crystals.

Versus movements or positional triggers that can cause a spin when you have loose crystals.

Traveling can cause new crystals to come loose for some vestibular patients, due to the pressure changes.

Whereas, movement of the head can trigger vertigo symptoms in someone who has crystals loose .

This blog has Home Remedies that may help.

This blog has directories to find a provider in your local area. I suggest finding a vestibular physical therapist .

This is the second time I had vertigo. Last time it took 1 month to get rid of it and after that I had recurring migraine. Every time I have an issue with eye movement, sound, and head position. This time my neck got stiff and I have inflammation. When I do neck exercises, inflammation goes to my shoulder and hand. I also forget things and have coordination problems. My doctor gave me betahistine but it’s not helping.

I am sorry to hear this!

I am glad to hear that you have sought individual medical advice for your situation from your doctor. That’s very important.

I have a written a few articles on topics that may be interesting to you.

This one and this one and this one are talking about dizziness related to neck pain or stiffness.

This article talks about who can possibly help with dizziness related to the neck.

This article and this article are about migraines and dizziness.

This article talks about how to find providers who specialize in vestibular rehab .

Hopefully those free articles are helpful for you.

Hi!! I’ve vertigo for 26 years but of course I go in-and-out of acute phases. I also have MS, some ear pain, and hearing loss. Currently in an acute phase. I’ve had every test on the planet been to several topped Otolaryngologists and the eplymaneuver does not seem to do anything.(not BPPV). Although doing it currently the vestibular therapy seems to make it more chronic than help me.. I do have to fly once in a while and I was surprised you didn’t suggest a decongestant wondering if you could shed any light on what I’ve been going through now for 5 weeks; 26 years. No diagnosis ever.

Thank you for sharing this comment.

I believe I suggested having medications for whatever symptoms you have related to dizziness and vertigo.

For some people, certainly a decongestant is appropriate.

Other people may have headaches, anxiety, etc, so I suggest for each person to bring whatever medications they need to address their individual symptoms when they travel.

If you are still searching for the root cause of your symptoms, I suggest you organize the description of your experience as I list in this blog .

I also share some common triggers in this blog , that you may want to include in your summary.

That will help your current and future healthcare providers with their case analysis.

The key is to document the onset, trigger, and duration of any dizzy spells or vertigo attacks. Then most specialty healthcare providers will have the information needed to assign a proper diagnosis.

I wish you all the best!

Hi I was diagnosed with bppv after a head injury I had now done the epley manoeuvre and she said I am fine to fly as i have no other symptoms like sensory etc. Do you think it’s okay too? I am just very unsure still.. She said technically the epley should have helped now. I have had it done only today and still feel like my brain is swimming…

Once the Epley maneuver (or other BPPV treatment maneuver) is successful, then the BPPV is considered “resolved.”

This blog discusses post treatment precautions.

If your healthcare provider thinks you are ok to travel, then that is the advice you should take since he or she has evaluated you in person.

It is common to feel your brain is swimming for a day or two, even after a successful treatment of vestibular physical therapy .

However, BPPV on both the right and left sides is common after a head injury.

So you should go back to get re-checked for BPPV again by that same healthcare provider, if you don’t feel better 12-48 hours after the treatment.

You also need to get a good sleep after each BPPV treatment to recover properly.

Best wishes!

i was diagnosed with BPPV just over 2 years ago by a specialist but initially the doctor told me it was Labyrinthitis as i had ringing and hearing loss. The hearing came back but the affected ear has left me with a strange whooshing noise which I find difficult to deal with at times. It took me a few weeks to get my balance back but id say that Ive never fully recovered from this . Its like i have relapses. I recently got back from a 15 hour flight three weeks ago and Im all over the place. i feel totally out of sync and disorientated not to mention exhaustion. When i walk I struggle as I think Im about to fall . I have slight pain in my ears which comes and goes in sharp bursts. This was the first time I’ve taken a flight since I had the issue 2 years ago and the way I feel Im not sure i could go through with it again . Even when I was on holiday i struggled with my balance which made me in a constant anxious state . Also the jet lag didn’t help at all as its the worst I’ve ever experienced. Do you think its been the flight that has triggered this.? Ive not had the spinning sensation like I did when I was ill with the Labs/BPPV but I feel really off balance , its like a vertigo attack is about to hit me . I feel upset i may never get to travel on a plane again

Flying is a common trigger for BPPV and vestibular migraines. There are other conditions besides BPPV and migraines that can cause discomfort on planes, so it is best to consult with a doctor for an evaluation.

I have three other articles with travel tips, one on this website and two articles on BetterBalanceInLife.com here and here .

People with vertigo can travel, but we have to take extra steps and implement specific strategies before, during, and after traveling to get through it and recover.

Since this is such an important topic, I cover travel tips in my upcoming book, which is currently in the editing phase. Please join my mailing list if you want to be notified when my book comes out.

For now, you may want to find a vertigo doctor in your area using this article .

Best wishes

I have post concussive symptoms, including vertigo. Head trauma happened 4 days ago. Scheduled to fly in 2 days. Thank you so much for your suggestions in the airport and on plane.

I am not inclined to take the flight as injury is new. Although I live with vertigo as a result of a damaged cervical spine, this feels different. May need more time to recover before I fly.

I am glad I found your blog because I was a bit concerned about flying with vertigo. I have had two or three cases that I managed by using the Epley maneuver.

However, about 3 weeks ago I experienced a significant vertigo event one night. I managed through that and had no further major spinning or dizzy moments.

Yet, still, when I get up in the morning I still feel a bit wobbly but return to pretty much normal later in the day but with sort of a heavy-headed feeling.

Yes still doing Epley 4 – 5 times a day.

I’ll be seeing my primary physician in a couple of days to investigate whether, or not, there is something else going on in the inner ear.

I did have a bad cold a few weeks ago so wondering if there is a lingering problem.

In the meantime just being watchful while packing for week-long trip that involves flight.

I took a flight 2.5 weeks ago and haven’t felt right since. For several days I had ear pain. My regular doctor looked in my ears and didn’t see any problems; however, I have had increasing vertigo over the past 2 weeks. I have had BPPV in the past. Can a plane ride cause BPPV?

Yes! Airplane travel is a known cause of BPPV or recurrence of BPPV.

However, BPPV is not typically associated with ear pain.

Hopefully your doctor will rule out ear infection as a possible cause of ear pain.

One other cause of ear pain is upper cervical problems .

This blog can help you find a vestibular provider in your area.

This blog talks about who can help with upper cervical problems.

It’s possible you may need specialized treatment for vestibular care and upper cervical care.

I hope you feel better soon!

Hello, I had a strong episode of BPPV this fall (for two weeks). It was diagnosed by several doctors and PT, I did the exercices on day 1 it appeared (Epler manoeuvres) and got rid of it in two weeks. The next weeks I had other physio exercices to get my vestibular system back to « normal ». Then I had a new episode of vertigo one week ago (that only lasted half a day) and then I started the exercises again to get the vestibular system (which at this point is confused) back to normal. I have a 6h+14h flight to New Zealand in three weeks and I’m a bit stressed out to have vertigo again on the plane. It this likely to happen for people that had BPPV? Thanks

Hi Nicolas,

I am sorry to hear all this!

It is great that your doctors and PT recognized BPPV and helped you with a full recovery in the past.

BPPV recurrence may require different maneuvers or exercises than a previous vertigo episode.

Therefore, I usually suggest for people with a vertigo recurrence to return to the providers who helped with vertigo in the past for re-evaluation and individual exercise prescription.

Your doctor can also recommend and prescribe any medications that might be helpful for your upcoming travel.

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Peer Reviewed

Controlling Your Symptoms
How to Navigate a Relapse
Wellness Coaches
8 Steps to Managing Fatigue
Avoiding Falls
Travel Strategies
Visually Induced Dizziness – “Supermarket Syndrome”
Vestibular Disorder Triggers

Motion Sickness

Coping With Tinnitus
How to Deal with an Acute Vertigo Episode
Dietary Considerations
Home Safety
Tips for Dining Out
Tips for Attending Events
Environmental Influences on Vestibular Disorders

Stress Management

Meditation and Mindfulness
Managing Nausea, Vomiting & Poor Appetite
Relaxation Techniques
Healthy Sleep Habits
Mitigating Triggers from Digital Devices
Dentist’s Guide to the Dizzy Patient

Article Summary

Being aware of what your triggers are and tracking your exercises and progress are important steps in controlling your dizziness and nausea. Keeping a diary of your exercises alongside your symptoms is a good way to monitor your progress and adjust your routine. Exercises using controlled breathing, relaxation, thought control, and stress management are all good methods of controlling your symptoms.

How to Reduce Dizziness & Nausea from Vestibular Disorders

Why do i feel dizzy and nauseous.

Dizziness and nausea are common symptoms of vestibular dysfunction. The balance system relies on three different senses. Using your eyes you can see where you are and where you are going. Using the sensors in your body you can feel where you are and how you are moving. And the balance organ in your inner ear (which doctors sometimes refer to as the vestibular organ or labyrinth) senses whenever your head moves.

Your brain acts like a computer, combining signals from these three senses to give you a stable picture of the world and control your head, body and eye movements. If any part of this balance system is giving out unusual or faulty information then you may feel dizzy, disoriented or unsteady.

When your brain senses that your balance system is not able to give you a stable picture of the world, it sends signals to the system which controls automatic body reflexes to make you feel or actually be sick. Nobody knows exactly why dizziness triggers nausea or sickness, but it may be that your body thinks the dizziness is due to something you have eaten, which your body is trying to get rid of.

How can stress affect my dizziness and nausea?

Recent studies have shown that your body is less able to cope with dizziness when you are under stress, and so you may become more dizzy and sick than if you were stress-free. One reason for this is that the system which triggers nausea and sickness controls all automatic body reflexes, including the ‘fight or flight’ stress reflex. When you are under stress your body automatically gets ready to fight or run away, by triggering lots of changes such as making you breathe faster, speeding up your heart, and pumping blood to your muscles. The side effect of these changes is that you tend to get dizzy and sick more easily, which is why even healthy people often feel dizzy and sick when they are under great stress (e.g. sudden injury). So if your balance system is not working normally and you are under stress you will feel twice as dizzy and sick.

Another problem for people with dizziness is that their symptoms can cause stress, but then stress can actually make the symptoms worse. You may have noticed that you often feel more dizzy when you are under stress. The reason for this is that when your brain is busy coping with the stress it is less able to also deal with the faulty signals from your balance system.

What can I do to reduce my dizziness and nausea?

The bad news is that there is no medicine that can make the balance system work normally. Your doctor may be able to give you tablets to ease the dizziness and nausea, but these will not cure the problem, and should not be taken all the time. The good news is that you can help to reduce your dizziness and nausea by reducing your stress levels, using the methods in this article.

One way to stop stress from making your dizziness and nausea worse is to use the methods in this article that block the fight or flight reflex. These methods are controlled breathing (which slows down your breathing and reduces nausea) and relaxation (which works by relaxing your muscles and slowing your heart rate).

Another way to stop stress from making your dizziness and nausea worse is to try to reduce the stress itself. You can do this by trying to change your lifestyle to make it less stressful (stress management). If it is the dizziness that is causing you the most stress, then you may find it helpful to get your mind off your symptoms using methods of thought control. If your life and the way you think are free of stress, then your body will not add stress symptoms to your illness.

How can I tell if these stress reduction methods will help me?

All the methods of stress reduction in this article have been used for many years to treat patients with severe incurable symptoms which are made worse by stress, such as pain. Scientific studies have shown that these methods do help to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. To find out whether these exercises are right for you, simply try out the exercises! They certainly cannot do you any harm – it is only by trying them that you will know for sure whether or not they can help you.

Carrying out Methods of Stress Reduction: How to choose the right stress reduction methods for you

The causes and effects of stress are different for different people. The page tells you how to choose the stress reduction methods which will suit you.

For all the methods you will need to find ten minutes once or twice a day to work on reducing your stress. Decide now on times when you can put these methods into practice each day, and write the times down in the diary at the back of the downloadable PDF at the top of this article. Next choose a place to do this – somewhere that you can be relaxed and quiet, without any interruptions.

Do this once every week, so that you can see if the methods you are using are helping to reduce your stress and symptoms, and can decide what methods you will try the next week. All these methods take time to learn, and you will have good days and bad days at first – if you keep trying you will soon find one that works for you.

Controlled breathing

Controlled breathing can be helpful for everyone who feels nausea or sickness. Also, if you often feel out of breath, and find yourself panting, sighing, gasping or yawning for no reason, then you are over-breathing and need to practice slower breathing.

You need to carry out relaxation exercises if your muscles are tense. Check now whether your jaw and hands are relaxed. Try shrugging your shoulders and moving them backwards and forwards. If your teeth are clenched together, your hands are tense, or your neck and shoulders feel stiff, then relaxation will help you.

Thought control

If you find it difficult to stop thinking about your symptoms or feel anxious or unhappy about them, then you may be helped by some methods of thought control that people with other symptoms, such as pain, have found useful.

Stress management

If you have a lot of stress in your life as well as your dizziness and nausea, or if you find that the dizziness gets worse in stressful situations, then you may find it useful to try methods of reducing stresses which are adding to your problems.

More details of all these methods are given in the following pages.

First, sit or lie down in a comfortable place, loosen any tight clothing, and close your eyes. Put one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. Avoid breathing from the top of your chest – try to keep this still, and just let air in by allowing your stomach to gently rise and fall. Breathe through your nose and allow two seconds as you breathe in and four seconds as you breathe out (you may need to time yourself at first).

At first controlled breathing takes effort and so you need to practice it in a quiet place every day, so that it starts to be a habit which you do not need to think about.

If you find it difficult to breathe this slowly and feel as if you are not getting enough air, then you are over-breathing. This means that you will need to reset the level of oxygen your body is used to. You can do this by holding your breath for 10 seconds. Do not take a deep breath before or after you do this – your body needs to get used to less oxygen.

After you have practiced controlled breathing in a quiet place for a few weeks you can start to slow your breathing as you go about your daily life. Practice doing this every day, whenever you feel dizzy or nauseous, or if you start to have symptoms of over-breathing.

When you do this relaxation exercise, notice how your muscles feel when they are tense and when they are relaxed. Enjoy the feeling of being relaxed. Don’t worry if you have worrying or distracting thoughts – just let them come and go. You may find it helps to imagine you are in the most relaxing situation you can think of, such as lying in the sun. Some people find it helps to listen to a relaxing tape, such as gentle music, or waves on a beach. Or you can make yourself a tape of these instructions.

Like controlled breathing, relaxation gets easier when it is a habit you do not need to think about, so you must start by doing it in a quiet place every day.

After you have practiced relaxation for a few weeks you can start to try to relax any part of you that feels tense by just saying to yourself ‘relax’, without having to tense your muscles first. When you can do this easily in a quiet place practice doing it in your daily life whenever you feel tense, dizzy or nauseous.

The problem with stress is that it is very hard to keep your mind off it. You find that you cannot help thinking about problems, or paying attention to symptoms. This is a natural reaction, which is useful if the problem can be solved or you need to be alerted to illness. But if you have long-term problems or illness then thinking about them often just makes them worse, and you may need to practice new ways of thinking.

Distraction

If you try to stop thinking about something you will just think about it more – so the best way to distract yourself is to fill your mind with something else. If you feel unwell or stressed, you will feel less bad if you find ways to keep your mind busy with things that interest you. So as soon as you feel stressed or sick, try to find something else to think about – plan what you will do later, look out of the window, watch a good TV program, ring a friend or read the paper.

Thought changing

It is hard to ignore worries, but often it is the things we think that cause stress. So if you can change how you think you will feel less stress.

Take time every day to write down the thoughts which cause you stress. Then ask yourself these questions:

Are the thoughts worse than your present situation?
Do you worry about things that may never happen?
Are you expecting too much of yourself?
Do you worry if you cannot manage to do everything well, or please everyone?
Are you worrying about things which you cannot change?
Do you spend your time wishing that you were not ill, or thinking about the bad things in your life?

If you realize that the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, you have made the first step to stopping those stressful thoughts! Think of reasons to think something different. You could think of all the good things in your past and present, and that may happen in the future. Try talking over your worrying thoughts with a family member or friend – they will often be able to help you to see other ways of thinking. Or imagine that your best friend was thinking this way – what would you say to them?

Sometimes stress is due to problems which you can solve. These are some methods to help you make your lifestyle less stressful.

You can plan ways to make a difficult situation less stressful. Take time every day to write down one situation which caused you stress. Next, write down ways you could try to change or cope with this situation. Decide which way of changing the situation is best and easiest, and work out how you can carry it out. You need to think about what might stop your plan from working, so that you can also plan to overcome any setbacks. Then try this method of coping with the situation next time it happens. If your plan does not work out quite right the first time, just think about how to improve it and try again.

Time management

Many people find it stressful to cope with all the things they have to do. If you have this problem, first of all write down each day how you have spent your time. Then think about what things are most important to you just now, and how you would spend the time on your ideal day. This will help you to work out what you should cut down or cut out. Don’t forget to allow time for rest, and to relax with other people.

Make a list of what needs to be done and when. Then just get on with the jobs which you have listed to do now – you can stop worrying about the things on the list which can be done later, and will feel good when you can tick of the things which you have done!

It is important not to worry if you find you cannot do everything you want when you want to. This just means that you have found the cause of your stress – you need to allow a bit more time for everything to get done.

Doing what you want

Compare the list of things that you do and the things you want to do. Are you doing things for other people that you do not really want to do, and do not need to do? If so, to reduce stress you need to learn how to say ‘no’ from time to time.

If you find this hard to do, you need to plan ahead what you will say and do and stick to it. There is no need to get angry or to annoy people – you need to talk over the problem calmly and try to find a plan which works for everyone.

About the author

This article is from a booklet that was written by Professor Lucy Yardley and produced by the University of Southampton with funding provided by the Ménière’s Society ( www.menieres.org.uk ). It is recommended for use only after a qualified medical doctor has confirmed that the exercises are safe and appropriate for the individual who will carry them out.

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Home-based exercise.

Supplement for People with Chronic Dizziness Can balance retraining exercises help with dizziness? ‘Balance retraining’ is a therapy which can speed recovery from any change in balance system function - including changes caused by chronic

Motion sickness is the most common medical problem associated with travel. Dizziness, vertigo, and motion sickness all relate to the sense of balance and equilibrium. You might also suffer from dizziness, vertigo and/or nausea due to an inner ear dysfunction. Suppose you suffer inner ear damage on only one side from a head injury or an infection. The damaged inner ear does not send the same signals as the healthy ear. This gives conflicting signals to the brain about the sensation of rotation, and you could suffer a sense of spinning or vertigo, as well as nausea.

Stress is an automatic response for our body to protect itself from threats. This “fight or flight” sympathetic response is beneficial if you are in a life-threatening situation or require a short-term force of motivation. But, if you experience stress over a prolonged period of time, it could become chronic. Chronic stress can have serious consequences for your brain, body, and mind. In this article you will learn relaxation techniques to help you manage stress.

Stay up-to-date with the latest vestibular news.

Vertigo Medications

Other names: Balance Disorder; Dizziness; Lightheadedness, dizzy; Loss of balance

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm . Last updated on Feb 19, 2024.

Treatment for vertigo varies based on its cause and severity. Medications like prochlorperazine , promethazine (Phenergan), meclizine , diphenidol , and scopolamine may be prescribed. Specific exercises, such as the Epley maneuver – designed to move fragments of calcium into areas less likely to cause symptoms – and Brandt-Daroff exercises, can help with certain causes. Vestibular rehabilitation which involves retraining your balance system, benefits many with dizziness and balance issues. In rare cases, surgery may be required. Some cases resolve without treatment, but recurrent vertigo may persist, as seen in Ménière’s disease .

Drugs used to treat Vertigo

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Frequently asked questions

How long does amlodipine stay in your system?
What is betahistine used for?

Learn more about Vertigo

Care guides, symptoms and treatments, further information.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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In this series: Dizziness Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Fainting

Vertigo is the sensation that you, or the world around you, is moving or spinning. Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a diagnosis.

You may only experience vertigo for a short period of time (seconds or minutes). However, for some people, vertigo can last many hours. People who have vertigo may also feel sick (nausea) or may vomit. They can also feel unsteady or dizzy. Vertigo can be caused by problems within the inner ear or the brain.

Some medications can be used to reduce the vertigo symptoms and also ease associated nausea and vomiting. These medicines are not needed for every cause of vertigo and are usually only given for a short period (usually used for just 3-4 days at a time). In many cases your doctor will identify what condition has caused the vertigo and can then recommend specific treatment for that condition.

What is vertigo, who does vertigo affect, what causes vertigo, vertigo treatment, medication for vertigo, what is the usual length of vertigo treatment, side-effects of vertigo treatment, who cannot take medication for vertigo, can vertigo medication be bought over the counter, how long does vertigo last.

A person experiencing vertigo has the false feeling that they are moving, or that objects around them are moving, usually spinning, when they are not. It is different from dizziness , which is the sensation of feeling giddy or lightheaded.

Vertigo symptoms

Vertigo can last just for a short period of time (seconds to minutes) or can last for hours or even days. It can be accompanied by a feeling of ear fullness, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), sickness (nausea) and balance problems, which can interfere with daily activities. Vertigo can also cause a person to be sick (vomit).

Vertigo is a symptom and not a diagnosis in itself. In most cases there is a medical condition that causes vertigo such as a head injury or an inner ear problem. However, sometimes the cause is unknown.

Note : vertigo is sometimes referred to as a 'fear of heights' - this is not correct. The right term for the fear of heights is acrophobia.

Vertigo can affect people of any age (including children), and of either sex.

Continue reading below

When we move our head, the inner part of the ear is a balance organ and tells us where our head is. If there are problems with the inner part of the ear then this can cause us to feel sick (nausea) and experience vertigo.

Inner ear causes

The most common cause of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This is more common in older people. It usually causes short, intense episodes of vertigo with head movements or when the position of the head is changed (for example, when rolling over from one side to the other in bed). It is caused by the movement of tiny crystals in the inner ear balance organ.

Infection or inflammation affecting the inner ear can also cause vertigo, for example vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis .

Other conditions that can affect the inner ear and causes episodes vertigo include:

Ménière's disease (although this is rare compared to BPPV, vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis).

Ear infections or ear surgery - that damage the inner ear.

Other causes

Vertigo may be also caused by conditions affecting certain parts of the brain - for example:

Migraine , specifically vestibular migraine.

Multiple sclerosis .

Head injury.

A growth in the brain (acoustic neuroma) .

Double vision (diplopia) .

Drinking too much alcohol .

See the separate feature Can stress cause vertigo?

How to tell which ear is causing vertigo

An examination by a doctor can sometimes tell which side the vertigo is coming from (particularly in cases of BPPV), but this cannot be worked out from symptoms alone.

The treatment for vertigo depends on what has caused it - the treatment may be a specific set of movements used to treat BPPV, it may be tablets or it may be special exercises to do. The rest of this leaflet only discusses medicines that may help to ease the symptoms of dizziness and nausea caused by vertigo.

There are separate leaflets for different types of vertigo called Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease , Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis , Dizziness and Migraine .

A number of medicines can be prescribed to help with the symptoms of vertigo. They include prochlorperazine or antihistamines such as cinnarizine , cyclizine or promethazine .

These medicines are the same ones that are used to help treat any feeling of sickness (nausea) and motion sickness . They work by blocking certain chemicals in the brain. Prochlorperazine blocks a chemical called dopamine; this helps with severe sickness.

Antihistamines block histamine, which helps with mild sickness and being sick (vomiting) as well as vertigo. Betahistine is an antihistamine that may be prescribed specifically for patients with Ménière's disease, to prevent attacks from occurring. It is thought that this medicine improves the blood flow around the ear.

These medicines come in various brand names and are available as tablets, capsules, liquids and injections. Some are available as tablets that dissolve between the upper gum and lip (sublingual tablets).

How well do vertigo medicines work?

There are no good studies that tell us how well these medicines work. However, they have been prescribed to ease the symptoms of vertigo for many years. It is important to note that these medications are not used to cure vertigo, they only reduce the severity and length of time the vertigo lasts for.

What medicine is prescribed for vertigo?

The choice of medicine depends on what is causing your vertigo and how severe your symptoms are. If you have a severe feeling of sickness (nausea), your doctor may prescribe prochlorperazine. The advantage of this medicine is that it is available as an injection or as a tablet to dissolve between the upper gum and lip (a sublingual tablet). It may be more suitable for people who are very sick and being sick (vomiting).

If you have mild nausea, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine such as cinnarizine, cyclizine or promethazine. These will also help to treat dizziness.

Medicines to treat vertigo and sickness are usually only taken for a very short time - normally around 3 to 4 days. If you have vertigo frequently and long term, your doctor may prescribe a short supply of these medicines to keep at home, to use when you have another attack.

It is not possible to list all the possible side-effects of each of these medicines in this leaflet. However, as with all medicines, there are a number of side-effects that have been reported. If you want more information specific to your medicine, see the information leaflet that came with your medicine.

Most side-effects of vertigo treatment are not serious and each person may react differently to these medicines. Common side-effects include:

Drowsiness.

Constipation.

Headaches .

Trouble with sleeping ( insomnia ).

Indigestion .

Prochlorperazine can cause muscle twitching of the shoulders, face and neck. This usually goes away once this medicine is stopped.

There are very few people who cannot take a medicine for vertigo. If for some reason one medicine has caused a side-effect or there is a reason you cannot take one, your doctor can choose a different type of medicine that will suit you.

You can buy cinnarizine from your pharmacy but the pharmacist can only sell it to people who have motion sickness.

The length of a single vertigo attack, and the amount of time that passes before it completely resolves, depends on the underlying cause and what treatment can be provided. If the cause is unclear, you may be referred to another doctor (usually an ear specialist) for further assessment.

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

Next review due: 4 Aug 2027

5 aug 2024 | latest version.

Last updated by

Dr Surangi Mendis

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Who can and cannot take hyoscine hydrobromide - Brand names: Kwells, Joy-Rides, Kwells Kids, Travel Calm, Scopoderm

Who can take hyoscine hydrobromide.

Hyoscine hydrobromide travel sickness tablets can be taken by most adults and children from the age of 3 years.

Patches for travel sickness can be used by most adults and children from the age of 10 years.

Who may not be able to take hyoscine hydrobromide

Hyoscine hydrobromide is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell a pharmacist or doctor before taking it if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to hyoscine hydrobromide or any other medicine
have an eye problem called primary angle closure glaucoma
have difficulty peeing or a bowel blockage
have myasthenia gravis , a condition that causes muscle weakness
have heart problems, including a very fast heart rate
have thyroid, kidney or liver problems
have epilepsy (seizures)
have digestive problems, such as acid reflux or severe constipation
have ulcerative colitis
have a high temperature
are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, as hyoscine hydrobromide is not recommended in pregnancy

Page last reviewed: 5 October 2022 Next review due: 5 October 2025

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COMMENTS

7 Cures for Vertigo and Motion Sickness
BPPV vertigo can be treated through "repositioning." This procedure, often done in your doctor's office, involves placing you in a position that induces vertigo, then turning you carefully into another position. This change allows fluid and crystals in your inner ear to realign. This treatment has a good success rate. 2. Medications
5 misconceptions about vertigo, dizziness
Here are some common misconceptions about vertigo and dizziness: Dizziness is always related to ear crystals. While benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common cause of vertigo, it is not associated with symptoms of dizziness. There are many other potential reasons for spells of dizziness. Home remedies, like performing the canalith ...
Remedies for Vertigo: What to Do and When to See a Doctor
Sit back upright. If the vertigo is more intense when your head is turned toward the affected ear: Start in a sitting position. Rapidly lie down toward the unaffected side and hold for one to two ...
Travel Strategies
Motion sickness is the most common medical problem associated with travel. Dizziness, vertigo, and motion sickness all relate to the sense of balance and equilibrium. You might also suffer from dizziness, vertigo and/or nausea due to an inner ear dysfunction. Suppose you suffer inner ear damage on only one side from a head injury or an infection.
21 Motion Sickness Remedies: Natural, Medication, and More
Any travel — automobile, plane, train, or ship — may suddenly bring on motion sickness. Motion sickness can cause symptoms ranging from mild nausea to dizziness, sweating, and vomiting.
Hyoscine for travel sickness
Vertigo. Health conditions A-Z. Medicine information. Information and fact sheets for patients and professionals. Find out side effects, medicine names, dosages and uses. ... Kwells®, Travel Calm® (as hyoscine hydrobromide); Scopoderm® patch. Available as. Tablets, chewable tablets and patches. Hyoscine is an effective medicine for travel ...
The best motion sickness remedies of 2024, according to experts
Also, being dehydrated, hungover or sleep-deprived can all increase feelings of nausea or dizziness, says Dr. Terez Malka, a travel medicine physician at Duration Health, a telehealth urgent care ...
Travacalm Travel Sickness Original 10 Tablets
TravaCalm Original is suitable for the prevention of travel sickness. TravaCalm Original is for the prevention of travel sickness. The triple active formula is specially formulated with two ingredients to help prevent travel sickness, as well as caffeine to help counteract drowsiness. Suitable for adults and children aged 4 years and over. Size: 10 Tablets KEY FEATURES • • Motion sickness ...
Travel Sickness
Watching something on a tablet like a TV show or a film can often help with travel sickness by helping you to avoid the moving horizon or the view out of the side window. Avoid alcohol and eating too much as this can make feelings of travel sickness much worse. Travel Sickness. 8. Things That Have Helped Me.
Traveling with Vertigo and Dizziness: Helpful Strategies
I have other blogs on flying with vertigo, travel tips for people with dizziness and vertigo, ... That nasal breathing will help your nervous system calm down. Going through Security Checkpoint. ... Every good wish to you all, Kind regards Pauline. Reply. Dr. Kimberley Bell, DPT on June 19, 2024 at 7:41 am .
Hyoscine hydrobromide: medicine for travel sickness
Hyoscine hydrobromide (Kwells and Joy-Rides) Other brand names: Kwells Kids, Travel Calm, Scopoderm. Hyoscine hydrobromide (Kwells and Joy-Rides) Find out how hyoscine hydrobromide treats travel sickness and how to take it. NHS medicines information on hyoscine hydrobromide - what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it.
How To Stop Travel Sickness
There are ways that you can help to ease travel sickness while you're experiencing it or if you think you may feel unwell on a journey. It is said that root ginger, ginger tea and peppermint tea can be effective in settling the stomach when you feel sick. It's also advisable to avoid: Heavy, spicy or rich meals.
Flying with Vertigo: Tips for Plane Travel with Vertigo
Some strategies that might help when flying with vertigo include wearing ear plugs or ear muffs to muffle the intensity of the sound. You an also use headphones to listen to soft music, ocean waves, or other relaxing audio recordings like nature sounds while you are traveling. Reducing auditory input is especially helpful for reducing migraine ...
Motion sickness: How you can prevent symptoms and enjoy travel
Yes. Preventing motion sickness is always the best option, when possible. Some options include: Try looking at the horizon, if you're at sea, or another stationary object. Avoid reading while moving. Pick your seating wisely. If you're on a boat, avoid the upper levels. If you're in a car, sit in the front.
Living with a Vestibular Disorder
Motion sickness is the most common medical problem associated with travel. Dizziness, vertigo, and motion sickness all relate to the sense of balance and equilibrium. You might also suffer from dizziness, vertigo and/or nausea due to an inner ear dysfunction. Suppose you suffer inner ear damage on only one side from a head injury or an infection.
Controlling Your Symptoms
The good news is that you can help to reduce your dizziness and nausea by reducing your stress levels, using the methods in this article. ... Motion sickness is the most common medical problem associated with travel. Dizziness, vertigo, and motion sickness all relate to the sense of balance and equilibrium. You might also suffer from dizziness ...
Cinnarizine: antihistamine used for travel sickness and vertigo
Cinnarizine Brand name: Stugeron. Find out how cinnarizine treats travel sickness, vertigo, tinnitus and Ménière's disease, and how to take it. NHS information on cinnarizine - what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it.
Travel Sickness Advanced Patient Information
Uses for Travel Sickness. Meclizine is used to prevent and control nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used for vertigo (dizziness or lightheadedness) caused by ear problems. Meclizine is an antihistamine. It works to block the signals to the brain that cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
List of 12 Vertigo Medications Compared
Treatment for vertigo varies based on its cause and severity. Medications like prochlorperazine, promethazine (Phenergan), meclizine, diphenidol, and scopolamine may be prescribed. Specific exercises, such as the Epley maneuver - designed to move fragments of calcium into areas less likely to cause symptoms - and Brandt-Daroff exercises ...
Boots Travel Calm 12 Tablets
Please ensure your contact details are correct before ordering this medicine. Boots Travel Calm Tablets Hyoscine Hydrobromide - 12 Tablets. Travel sickness. Fast prevention & relief. For adults and children. Uses: Prevents and relieves the unpleasant effects of travel sickness in adults and children.
Managing Vertigo: Diet Tips to Ease Dizziness, What to Eat ...
The best drink for managing vertigo is water, as staying well-hydrated is crucial for preventing and reducing symptoms. Additionally, other beneficial drinks include: Ginger tea: Helps reduce nausea and dizziness. Lemon water: Rich in vitamin C, it can improve circulation and support overall health.
Vertigo: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Vertigo symptoms. Vertigo can last just for a short period of time (seconds to minutes) or can last for hours or even days. It can be accompanied by a feeling of ear fullness, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), sickness (nausea) and balance problems, which can interfere with daily activities. Vertigo can also cause a person to be sick (vomit).
Who can and cannot take hyoscine hydrobromide
Hyoscine hydrobromide travel sickness tablets can be taken by most adults and children from the age of 3 years. Patches for travel sickness can be used by most adults and children from the age of 10 years. Who may not be able to take hyoscine hydrobromide. Hyoscine hydrobromide is not suitable for some people.

7 Cures for Vertigo and Motion Sickness

What’s The Difference Between Vertigo and Motion Sickness?

What Is Vertigo?

Do You Get Nauseous With Vertigo?

What Causes Vertigo?

What Causes Dizziness and Motion Sickness?

The Inner Ear and Its Role in Balance

1. Repositioning

2. Medications

3. Determine Where You Sit

4. Consider Ginger

5. Eat Lightly

6. Acupressure

7. Fresh Air

Chronic Motion Sickness? Contact Us for An Appointment

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