Common symptoms

Players experiencing motion sickness in video games can suffer from any of the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Being sick
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Sweating

What causes motion sickness in video games?

Simulator sickness is a recognised term among the medical and research community, born from people experiencing motion sickness in driving and flying simulators.

In terms of video games, more research is needed as symptom triggers can vary from person to person.

For many sufferers it seems more likely during immersive, first-person games where game design elements such as head bobbing, motion blur and inconsistent frame rates appear to cause symptoms.

Rapid or unnatural camera movements, especially in first-person perspective games, can also cause disorientation.

A narrow field of view (FOV) can make players feel confined, while a wider FOV can create a more immersive experience but may increase the risk of motion sickness.

So, a few key takeaways for gamers who simply enjoy playing but find themselves hampered by motion sickness symptoms.

While gaming sickness can be unpleasant and frustrating, understanding its causes and implementing effective strategies can help to manage symptoms. 

Adjusting game settings, taking regular breaks, and using anti-motion sickness techniques can make gaming more comfortable.

If self-help strategies aren’t working and you need further advice around treating motion sickness, speak to your pharmacist around prevention and managing the symptoms.

How can you prevent air sickness?

Air sickness in particular can make journeys daunting for sufferers and those travelling with children prone to the condition which is why prevention is so much better than cure.

Being prepared from the word go can help to reduce the risk of anxiety and unpleasantness of air sickness – and you can actually start to look forward to your trip!

Why does the preparation start with booking your holiday?

Well, the first tip in our air sickness prevention guide involves where you sit on the plane

Seating in the middle of a plane will reduce the motion felt during any turbulence⁴ and sitting near the window so you look out at the horizon can help too so choose a seat in those locations if possible.³

There are also a few things you can do – and avoid – ahead of your flight.

Always take precautionary items such as wipes, sick bags and a change of clothes, especially if you’re travelling with children, just in case. This will give you peace of mind should the worse happen.

You can also pack a travel pillow to help you nod off during the flight.

Be gentle on your stomach. Don’t eat a large meal or anything spicy in the hours before you board1, choose a lighter bite instead and try to stick to carb-based food such as bread, cereal or crackers.⁵

For adults prone to air sickness it’s recommended you avoid alcohol for 24 hours before a flight and during4 and avoid smoking prior to travelling.³

With pre-boarding prep covered it’s time to check-in for the onboarding part of the strategy.

Once you’re settled in your seat – in the middle of the plane and possibly next to the window! – ensure your precautional measures such as wipes are close to hand should you need them.

Make yourself comfortable – a travel pillow will come in handy here – and use the air vent above your seat to provide a refreshing air flow.

When the refreshment cart rolls by opt for a bottle of water so you can take sips of it if you start to feel unwell. Some people find ginger can be good for nausea so maybe opt for ginger ale.⁶

Sleep can be a great way to distract the brain from any motion signals or you could listen to music or a pre-downloaded podcast.⁵

Try not to read as looking down at something stationary can cause those confusing motion signals.⁵

Air sickness medicines

There is plenty you can do to minimise the chances of getting air sickness naturally.

But as always, these self-help methods don’t work for everyone and it may be trial and error before you find out what works best for you.

If you need further help and advice you can speak to your local pharmacist who will be able to recommend a travel sickness treatment whether it’s for you or your child.

Kwells Travel Sickness 300 microgram tablets and Kwells Kids Travel Sickness 150 microgram tablets contain the active ingredient hyoscine hydrobromide which is understood to temporarily block message from the inner ear to the part of the brain that controls vomiting.⁷

Kwells can be taken up to 20-30 minutes before a journey or at the onset of sickness for the fast and effective prevention and control of travel sickness.⁷

All medicines can have side effects and you should read the Patient Information Leaflet that accompanies the treatment or speak to your pharmacist or doctor before use. 

Ways to help relieve motion sickness after a rollercoaster ride

Sometimes motion sickness can strike after you’ve been on a ride.

Similar to feeling ‘wobbly’ when you’ve been on a boat, it’s caused by disruption to the balance function in the vestibular system.⁷

If you feel the symptoms of motion sickness coming on after a theme park ride you could try…

• Sit down somewhere quiet, close your eyes and focus on taking slow, deep breaths.¹
• Taking a walk and getting some breaths of fresh air.¹
• Sip water to keep hydrated.¹
• Come prepared with ginger biscuits, a flask of ginger tea or ginger tablets.¹
• Don’t be tempted to get back on the rides if you’re feeling unwell.¹

Speak to a pharmacist about motion sickness advice

If you feel you need further help have a chat with your local pharmacist who can advise on suitable over the counter remedies.

Kwells 300 microgram tablets* or Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets* contain an active ingredient called hyoscine hydrobromide. 

Hyoscine hydrobromide temporarily reduces the effect of movement on the balance organs of the inner ear and the nerves responsible for nausea.

Because Kwells tablets melt in the mouth, absorption into the bloodstream is very rapid and they can be taken up to 30 minutes before travelling or at the onset of sickness.

*Kwells 300 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for adults and children aged 10+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 300 microgram. Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for children aged 4+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 150 microgram. Always read the label.

How do travel sickness tablets work?

There are several different types of travel sickness medicines available over the counter from pharmacies which can prevent or reduce the symptoms of motion sickness.²

These include hyoscine hydrobromide, cinnarizine and promethazine.

Here we talk about how the main ingredients act to prevent or relieve travel sickness and how quickly they work.

Cinnarizine

Cinnarizine is known as a drowsy, or sedating, antihistamine and it’s also used to reduce dizziness and sickness caused by inner ear problems.⁶

Cinnarizine blocks the effects of histamine – created in the body in response to an allergic reaction⁷ – in the brain to reduce symptoms of travel sickness.

However, it works gradually and can take up to four hours from the time you take the tablet for it to reach its full effect.⁶

Why does ski sickness happen?

When skiing down the slopes, the visual cues of rapidly moving surroundings might contradict the sensory signals from the inner ear, which detects motion and balance.⁴  This sensory mismatch leads to symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting.⁴

According to Hausler’s study it tends to happen more when there’s less visibility on the slopes or during a white-out and people sensitive to motion sickness generally are more prone to ski sickness.⁴ He says it may even be triggered by wearing ski boots, the rigidity possibly hampering sensory messages from the foot to the brain.¹

Psychological factors such as a fear of heights, high speed, atmospheric pressure changes, a fall – and a liquid lunch thrown in! – may also exacerbate the symptoms, according to his study.¹

His research is based on 11 ski sickness sufferers but he estimates it may affect up to 10 per cent of skiers at some stage.¹

The difference between altitude sickness and ski sickness

Although some of the symptoms experienced by skiers can be similar to altitude sickness, the latter is caused by travel to altitudes of more than 2,500m above sea level too quickly.⁵

Symptoms can feel similar to a bad hangover and usually develop any time from six to 24 hours after reaching high altitudes.⁵ They’re often worse at night and include a headache, dizziness, tiredness, feeling and being sick, a loss of appetite and shortness of breath.⁵

It’s possible to have altitude sickness skiing, if you’re heading to higher up resorts. It can take a few days for the body to adjust to a change in altitude.⁵

There are self-help ways to prevent it including avoiding strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after arrival, avoid smoking and alcohol, drink plenty of water and eat a diet that’s light but high in calories.²

Motion sickness remedies

Aside from removing your skis – which Hausler concluded was the quickest way to relieve ski sickness – he suggested that standard travel sickness medication could be an option for ski sickness sufferers.²

If self-help methods aren’t working and you wish to find out more about suitable treatments, speak to your local pharmacist for advice.

Kwells travel sickness tablets for adults and Kwells Kids for children aged four and over contain an active ingredient called hyoscine hydrobromide which temporarily reduces the effect of movement on the balance organs of the inner ear and the nerves responsible for nausea.⁸

Because Kwells tablets melt in the mouth, absorption into the bloodstream is very rapid and they can be taken up to 20–30 minutes before a journey or at the onset of travel sickness.⁸

Don’t let ski sickness ruin your trip

Ski sickness can be an unpleasant aspect of winter sports for some, but it doesn’t have to ruin your ski trip.

With a little preparation and self-care, you can make skiing a more enjoyable and memorable experience without the unpleasantness of motion sickness. Happy skiing!

Kwells 300 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for adults and children aged 10+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 300 microgram. Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for children aged 4+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 150 microgram. Always read the label

The link between autism and travel sickness

The link between autism and increased travel sickness susceptibility is thought to be connected to the vestibular system⁵, a sense organ which helps the body to regulate balance and movement⁶.

Between the eyes and ears, it sends messages to the brain about where we are and the movement we’re experiencing.

Travel sickness is caused by a sensory mismatch or conflict of information – essentially the inner ears sense movement but the eyes don’t.⁷

The vestibular system is one of the most sensitive and important sense organs in the body⁶ and many individuals with autism will have some degree of vestibular dysfunction.

So, coupled with any additional sensory processing issues, this can make people with autism more susceptible to travel sickness than those without ASD.

Dealing with travel sickness

Travel sickness is common, particularly in children.⁴ Fortunately, we tend to grow out of it in our early teens but it can stay with us into adulthood.⁴ If you’ve ever suffered, you’ll probably remember it all too well!

Feeling sick, being sick, feeling weak, cold and going pale – some of the most commonly experienced symptoms which can be unpleasant and distressing for anyone.⁸ But for children and adults with ASD, it can be particularly stressful and that in turn can be stressful and upsetting for those around them.

If you’re travelling by car, it’s easier to stop when convenient but the issue of travel sickness can be trickier to deal with on a boat, plane or train. We understand long journeys don’t suit everyone but the destination is what makes them worthwhile.

When it comes to preventing or easing travel sickness symptoms in youngsters – or adults – with autism, it’s as much about comfort and distraction as it is about being well prepared with things like wipes, water, healthy snacks, a change of clothes and cleaning aids.⁹

Planning ahead

Yes, there’s plenty you can do before you even step foot outside the door.

This will help to give you peace of mind and help you to feel more in control should travel sickness strike.

A few golden rules to bear in mind before you even start your journey include⁸:

• Avoid eating a heavy meal before travelling opting for a light snack with carbs such as cereals around an hour before you set off.
• Plan breaks into your car journey for refreshments such as water, fresh air and a short stroll.
• Keeping motion to a minimum can help so if you’re booking a flight or a cruise try to book a seat over the wing of a plane or a cabin in the middle of the boat. Looking at the horizon can help to relieve symptoms so if passengers are old enough sitting in the front of the car is probably better.
• Strong smells such as petrol, perfume and diesel fumes can make sufferers feel worse so try to avoid them. And be careful what you put in those sandwiches!

Managing nausea during travel

The nausea usually felt by travel sickness sufferers is one of the most unpleasant and commonly experienced side effects.

Here are a few ways to relieve it¹⁰:

• Sit in the front of a car or in the middle of a boat to reduce the feelings of motion
• Look at the horizon or a fixed point straight ahead of you
• Breathe in fresh air if you can, open a car window or if you’re sailing stay on deck
• Close your eyes and breathe slowly while focusing on your breathing
• Talking, listening to music or singing songs are good distraction techniques for children
• Break up long journeys with stops for fresh air, a drink of water or a walk

If you’ve tried all the self-help methods to relieve or prevent travel sickness, don’t worry. Your pharmacist will be able to advise and recommend the best remedy and treatment for your child.¹⁰

These include¹⁰:

• Patches – for adults and children over 10.
• Acupressure bands – these don’t work for everyone.
• Tablets – dissolvable tablets are available for children.

Children’s travel sickness tablets & medication

Travel sickness tablets such as Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets are used for the fast and effective prevention and control of travel sickness.¹¹

Because Kwells tablets melt in the mouth, absorption into the bloodstream is very rapid and they can be taken up to 20–30 minutes before travelling or at the onset of sickness.¹¹

The active substance in Kwells tablets is hyoscine hydrobromide which temporarily reduces the effect of movement on the balance organs of the inner ear and the nerves responsible for nausea.¹¹

Kwells Kids are available without a prescription from pharmacies and supermarkets but you should always read the Patient Information Leaflet included in the product carefully and your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.¹¹

Before giving Kwells Kids tablets to your child you should see your doctor if they suffer from seizures or fits and a range of other conditions listed in the Patient Information Leaflet.¹¹

Unlike the summer travel season, which spans several months, the Christmas holidays are crammed into two weeks which signals busier roads and competition for seats on transport.

Getting organised and everything in order early doors will help to eliminate some of the pressure ahead of your journey.

As well as knowing a thing or two about travel sickness we’ve amassed rather a lot of Christmas travel experience over the years and we’re pleased to share!

And it’s not just honed from learning from our mistakes!

There’s some good advice from the more practical and prepared among us too, so here are some tinselly tips to help you travel happy over the festive season.

6 tips to avoid travel sickness for road and rail travel

It’s safe to say if you’re travelling in the run up to Christmas Day the roads will be as packed as Santa’s sleigh and rail travel will be much busier too. Rail services are quite often reduced over the Christmas period while operators take the opportunity to carry out maintenance when there’s less passenger demand so bear that in mind too.

With some foresight and forward planning you can minimise any disruption to your journey and keep Christmas spirits high – cranking up a festive playlist is a must!

Cross travel sickness off your Christmas list

If anyone in your Christmas travel party is prone to travel sickness, try not to get too anxious about it and don’t let it put a damper on the excitement of the journey.

There are things you can do to minimise the risk of it occurring such as having a light carb-based meal such as cereal an hour or two before you set off and if you’re travelling by car plan in time for a few stops to get a little exercise, refreshment and fresh air.¹

You’ll find lots of handy hints and advice, plus an insight into what causes the condition, including car sickness and child travel sickness in our blog.

If you find self-help methods aren’t effective and you need further help, speak to your pharmacist for travel sickness advice and suitable over-the-counter travel sickness remedies.

We provide travel sickness tablets for adults and kids travel sickness tablets. Kwells Adults Travel Sickness 300 microgram tablets or Kwells Kids Travel Sickness 150 microgram tablets can be used on short or longer journeys and taken every six hours – no more than three times in 24 hours.

Because Kwells travel sickness tablets melt in the mouth, absorption into the bloodstream is very rapid and they can be taken up to 20–30 minutes before travelling or at the onset of sickness.

You can browse our products here.

Why am I prone to motion sickness?

Whether it’s you or your child or another family member prone to travel sickness, it’s unpleasant and it can be upsetting, particularly for youngsters.

To be fair it’s not fun whatever age you are and can make you a little anxious about a journey – or a day at the theme park!

It’s not fully understood why some people are more susceptible than others.

It’s more common in children aged two to 12 – babies rarely suffer from it* – and women, especially during pregnancy or menstruation which may be linked to fluctuating oestrogen levels.⁶

Those who suffer from migraines appear more likely to suffer from motion sickness, there’s even been studies into whether it’s a genetic or inherited condition.¹

How to prevent motion sickness on rides?

As kids we queued for hours and clamoured to get on the fastest rides and the highest rollercoasters. By the time our own children are big enough we can be a little less keen and a lot queasier.

That doesn’t mean we have to miss out on all the family fun though – following similar advice given for motion sickness while travelling, we may still be able to scream to go faster with the best of them!

Before you take on the highs, lows, ups and downs of the theme park, try eating a light, carb-based meal an hour or two beforehand – it’s best to avoid the temptation of fairground burgers vans! Try to pick a seat in the most stable part of the ride or carriage, usually the middle.

Further help

So, what can you do if self-help methods aren’t working?

You can speak to your local pharmacist for motion sickness medication advice.⁸ They will be able to provide information and advice on suitable over-the-counter remedies.

Kwells 300 microgram tablets* or Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets* can be used on short or longer journeys and taken every six hours – no more than three times in 24 hours.

Because Kwells tablets melt in the mouth, absorption into the bloodstream is very rapid and they can be taken up to 20–30 minutes before travelling or at the onset of sickness.

*Kwells 300 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for adults and children aged 10+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 300 microgram. Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for children aged 4+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 150 microgram. Always read the label.

IMPORTANT

Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.

You can browse our products here

If you have any doubts about using Kwells tablets correctly, seek the advice of your pharmacist or doctor.

Packing the essentials

You’re all booked, what’s next? Once the tickets, luggage tags and pre-check-in information are all nicely dealt with through your cruise line operator, you’ll be able to book those excursions and dining reservations – a real taste of the adventure that awaits!

Unless you’re cruising around the UK, you’ll obviously need a passport and depending on where you’ll be travelling to, you may need a visa or other forms of official ID – best to check all this with your cruise line or travel agent.

Packing the extras

There’s no set-in stone dos and don’ts when it comes to packing toiletries and personal grooming accessories for your cruise – just decide on all the essentials that you’d usually take on holiday.

A first aid kit can come in handy, as can a laundry bag, zip lock bags for storage and something suitable for carrying wet clothes back from any beach days.

Maybe consider a money belt to store your cash, cards and official documents such as passports and a driving licence if you’re planning to hire a car. Change can also be useful for tips.

What to do if you’re sick

• If you’re sick take tiny sips of water – be careful not to drink too much for the first 10-20 minutes or you may be sick again.³
• Get some fresh air and try a cool flannel on your forehead. ³
• If you still feel unwell try to sleep and when you feel well enough, try a light carb-based snack. ³

Motion sickness is common in children³ – find tips and advice on how to minimise the risk of it happening and how to be prepared in our blog.

Still moving?

Sometimes when you leave a boat or ship you can still feel like you’re on it, almost like the ground is rocking beneath your feet!³

This is known as ‘mal de debarquement’ (French for ‘sick on disembarking’) and is a sensation believed to be caused by an overstimulation of the balance organs. It usually only lasts for an hour or so and doesn’t require treatment.³

Pharmacy advice – what to expect

If self-help tips aren’t working and you feel you’ve tried all you can, you can speak to your local pharmacist.²

Pharmacists are the high street’s healthcare experts and are often approached for advice on treating travel sickness in children – those aged two to 12 are particularly susceptible to travel sickness.³

They’ll want to know³:

• How old your child is
• Any previous history
• How you’re travelling such as car, plane, boat
• How long you’ll be travelling for
• Any medication history

If it’s you looking for a remedy, they will ask similar questions.

They’ll be able to provide information and advice on suitable over-the-counter remedies which may be able to help.

Where to buy Kwells

Kwells are available to buy over-the-counter – you don’t need a prescription – from pharmacies, both in the high street or from online retailers such as Boots, Superdrug, LloydsPharmacy and ChemistDirect.

If you decide to buy Kwells online rather than in a pharmacy store, you’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire which will be checked by a pharmacist first to make sure they’re suitable for you.

That’s because Kwells is known as a Pharmacy Medicine item which can only be bought under the supervision of a pharmacist and by someone aged 18 or over.

If you have any doubts about using Kwells tablets correctly, seek the advice of your pharmacist or doctor.

*Kwells 300 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for adults and children aged 10+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 300 microgram. Kwells Kids 150 microgram tablets. For the prevention of travel sickness, suitable for children aged 4+. Contains Hyoscine Hydrobromide 150 microgram. Always read the label.