How to Prevent and Treat Motion Sickness While Flying

How to Prevent and Treat Motion Sickness While FlyingHow to Prevent and Treat Motion Sickness While FlyingFeeling queasy? Airsickness, a specific type of motion sickness, is a common ailment formany pilots and passengers. It tends to happen more often early in flight training, as your body adjusts to the moving elements involved with flying an airplane. Passengers are also likely to get airsick since they often read or focus on objects inside the airplane. If youre a new pilot or passenger experiencing airsickness when you fly, try not to become frustrated.Many peopleget airsick when they first begin flying, butthere are methods for overcoming it.The good news is that most people go on to experience rewarding flying hobbies or careers. The Causes of Airsickness Airsickness is the result of the bodys reaction to different signals it tries to interpret. While in a moving vessel, such as an airplane or a car, the vestibular system senses movement in one waywhile the brain interprets a lack of movement from what the eyes see. While flying in an airplane, your eyes tend to adjust to the movement as if youre barely moving. Your body, specifically your inner ear, reacts to the actual movement in relation to gravity and tells your brain what it feels. The conflict of signals confuses the body, creating a feeling of nausea along with many other symptoms. The Symptoms of Airsickness QueasinessNauseaFatigueChillsSweatingIncreased SalivationVomitingYawningHeadacheDizzinessIn severe cases,disorientation or incapacitation Are You Susceptible to Airsickness? Some people are more susceptible to becoming airsick than others. For example, women and children seem to be more vulnerable to motion sickness, as well as new pilots and passengers not used to the flying environment. Pilots not flying the airplane (such as an instructor observing a student) might become sick while in the air since their attention isnt focused on flying. It has been found that paying attention to flight duties can prevent or relieve airsickness. The FAA has published a list of things that can make a person more susceptible to becoming airsick. These coincide with the IM SAFE checklist, and include the following IllnessMedicationStress and AnxietyAlcoholFatigueEmotionsAnxiety How to Prevent Airsickness If you are susceptible to airsickness, start by flying a series of short flights close together to allow your body time to adjust to the motions involved with flying.Eat a nutritious diet that is low in sodium and fat. Dont eat immediately before flying, but dont fly on an empty stomach, either.Stay hydrated.Try to relieve any anxieties you might have about flying before you get into the airplane. If youre learning how to fly, study as much as you can before the flight. Showing up prepared will decrease your stress and anxiety level and might prevent a nervous stomach. If youre a student pilot, talk to your instructor about your options. For example, instead of attempti ng the scheduled lesson on steep turns, maybe you could try a straight-and-level cross-country flight, while your body adjusts to the flying experience.Natural remedies, such as ginger or pressure therapy can help in some cases, but these remedies arent proven. How to Alleviate Airsickness Get fresh air. Open the air vents and windows if possible. Try to cool off.Look outside at the fixed point on the horizon and make all turns, climbs, and descents very shallow. Keep your head as totenstill as possibleUse supplemental oxygen, if available.If youre the pilot not flying and youre skill level allows it, ask to take the controls. Focusing your attention on one thing can keep your mind off of feeling sick. What Not to Do If youre a passenger, dont read while flying.Dont put your head down.Dont forget to take sick sacks with you.Dont focus on your airsickness. If you think youll be sick, you probably will be. Try to stay positive and focus on specific tasks to keep your mind busy .If youre a pilot, dont forget to fly the airplane. If youre too sick to fly, land as soon as practical and get your feet on the ground.If youre a pilot, dont take any medication for airsickness before flying. There are no FAA-approved medications or over-the-counter drugs that pilots are allowed to take before flying to treat airsickness. All nausea and motion sickness medications have side effects that can affect a pilots mental state and judgment, as well as cause drowsiness. If you are a pilot with a severe case of motion sickness, talk to your aviation medical examiner about your options. Getting over airsickness can take some time, but if you are persistent and follow some of these guidelines, you have a good chance of conquering any motion sickness you may have in the beginning.