Motion sickness? and aspiring to become a pilot??

Hi, I have always wanted to become a pilot it is a life long dream for me. However, I unfortultley have motion sickness while I am in a moving object for a long period of time. So is there anything I can take consistently that will help ease my dizziness and sickess down? and if there is, what period of time should i take it?

Try geting used to moving/travelling. Here'ere some tips:

One common suggestion is to simply look out of the window of the moving vehicle and to gaze toward the horizon in the direction of travel. This helps to re-orient the inner sense of balance by providing a visual reaffirmation of motion.

In the night, or in a ship without windows, it is helpful to simply close one's eyes, or if possible, take a nap. This resolves the input conflict between the eyes and the inner ear. Napping also helps prevent psychogenic effects (i.e. the effect of sickness being magnified by thinking about it).

Fresh, cool air can also relieve motion sickness slightly, although it is likely this is related to avoiding foul odors which can worsen nausea.


Over tyhe counter-prescription for it have also been tried/tested: ie. Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) and Bonine/Antivert (meclizine).

Scopolamine is effective and is sometimes used in the form of transdermal patches (1.5mg) or as a newer tablet form (0.4mg). The selection of a transdermal patch or scopolamine tablet is determined by a doctor after consideration of the patient's age, weight, and length of time treatment is required.

Ginger root is a mild anti-emetic and sucking on crystallized ginger or sipping ginger tea can help to relieve the nausea

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Here's an article of Gary P. Barnas, MD
Associate Professor
General Internal Medicine



Motion sickness occurs when the body is subjected to accelerations of movement in different directions or under conditions where visual contact with the actual outside horizon is lost. The balance center of the inner ear then sends information to the brain that conflicts with the visual clues of apparently standing still in the interior cabin of a ship or airplane.

Symptoms generally consist of dizziness, fatigue, and nausea which may progress to vomiting. From one third to one half of airline passengers will experience some degree of motion sickness when encountering heavy turbulance, and it has been found that fear or anxiety can promote symptoms. Some individuals seem to be naturally prone to motion sickness since childhood.

Prevention is best accomplished by seeking areas of lesser movement in an interior location of a large ship or by facing forward and looking outside a ship or plane. Several medications are now available both by prescription and over the counter that may prevent or limit the symptoms of motion sickness. If medications are necessary, they are best taken at least one hour before embarking.

The over-the-counter medications Dramamine or Bonine can be very effective for short trips or when symptoms occurr intermittently. For longer trips, a prescription medication called Transderm-Scop comes in the form of a patch can be worn behind the ear for up to three days at a time. Side effects of these medications usually consist of sedation and dry mouth and they should not be taken by people who have glaucoma or urinary obstruction. Recent studies have shown that ginger root may be as effective as the other drug treatments but is associated with fewer side effects.


All the best! Cheers!