During car journeys, many people experience feelings of discomfort. A researcher reveals the factors that accentuate these symptoms.
- Motion sickness, also called “kinetosis”, is manifested by a feeling of discomfort in the upper part of the stomach, nausea, dizziness, headaches or hypersalivation.
- During car journeys, the symptoms can be accentuated by the sweltering heat and odors in the passenger compartment.
- Sudden speed changes, bends and traffic jams also increase the risk of getting sick.
Nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, hypersalivation… This series of disorders, which appear during a trip by boat, plane or car, indicates motion sickness, also called “kinetosis”. According to health insurancewe fall ill during the journeys because of a “inadequate response from the brain, linked to an opposition between the information provided by the eyes and that given by the vestibule (organ of balance located in the inner ear). The eyes perceive a movement, while the vestibule registers an impression contrary to that communicated by sight. As a result, the vestibule cannot give the brain exact information about the position of the body. This prevents the organism from adapting to movement, as it usually does during movement. ‘a relocation.”
Car sickness: heat, traffic jams and unpleasant odors involved
Recently, William Emond, a researcher at the University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard, explained why car journeys are more likely to accentuate symptoms. In a publication by The Conversationit indicates that the sweltering heat inside the vehicle increases the risk of motion sickness. “In a hot environment, our body must make an effort to regulate its temperature – by sweating or breathing, for example. These different signs are all so-called primary symptoms, because they can contribute to the emergence of other more serious symptoms. e.g. dilated blood vessels, malaise, nausea or vomiting if present. To keep it cooler, many people decide to turn on the air conditioning, but this can make the situation worse for adults who are sensitive to it.
Smells of pollution, leather, cigarettes or stale can also cause or amplify nausea in the car. “A scenario that is more likely to occur during the holiday season, where pollution peaks are regularly recorded and where the sun’s rays heat up materials. We also know that a region of the brain ( the area postrema) is able to trigger hypersalivation and nausea just by detecting certain odors – a protective reflex against toxins and other poisons”, says William Emond.
Another factor is abrupt gear changes and cornering. These would be the most disturbing for the body. “A vehicle stuck in traffic will be forced into a succession of grueling accelerations and decelerations even at low speeds”, adds the researcher. In addition, being stuck in road traffic has an impact on the mental health of the driver and passengers.
Holidays: how to avoid getting sick while traveling by car?
To reduce the risk of motion sickness, William Emond advises drivers to take regular breaks of 15 to 30 minutes. “In general, the symptoms disappear when stopped, a few minutes after leaving the vehicle”, specifies health insurance. It is also recommended to limit sudden accelerations and decelerations as well as to turn sharply in bends. As for passengers, those who suffer from motion sickness should sit as far forward as possible in the car, not use screens or read a book. “Close your eyes or try to sleep to soothe the body and recline your seat back to be less unsettled by the movements of the vehicle.”
