Monday, November 30, 2009

Flight Training - How To Prevent Motion Sickness

By Bruce Hogan

When you first begin your flying endeavors you may find yourself, feeling nauseated to the point of actually being sick. You probably will put this down to being beginner?s jitters or nervousness. It very well could be but may very well be motion sickness. It is a very common occurrence and you have most often heard the term carsick. This is where every time an individual travels in a car they feel sick to their stomach. It comes in varying degrees and is not just restricted to automobiles. It can be caused from any type of motion most often associated with travel. Perhaps by car, plane or sea an attack of this can strike. It really is not a disease or a virus, it is simply our movement perception becomes mixed up. The inner ear consists of semi circular canals that contain fluid. In motion, this fluid is mixed up and cannot discern between major movement and just a slight movement.

If you are wondering just how appropriate it is to use the word nausea, in Greek it means seasickness. Good indication it has been around a long time. Most often unfortunately, the nausea does not subside on its own. Most often, the sufferer will end up being sick to their stomach. In addition, that is not the end of it; the problem can last during the entire trip. It is easy to see how this would be of grave concern if its occurs during your flying lessons for example.

Manufactured Meds The key is to find something that will work to relieve your motion sickness without making your lethargic. There are various medications that you can buy over the counter to help counteract this. You would simply take them an hour or so before your flight. Again though some of them have the reputation of making you drowsy and you of course must be alert. You must also be aware that CAA may not approve and if they were to find out your were taking medications (with possible drowsiness side effects) you could have your license suspended or even lose it.

Alternative Methods There has been a lot of talk about success with the acupressure wristbands. These are structured so they apply pressure to the Ne Kuan pressure points found in each wrist. The wristband consists of knitted cotton with a plastic stud attached to apply the pressure. There is quite a bit of documentation by way of medical records indicating that this method is quite successful as anti-nausea.

Here are some other tried and true methods you may want to partake in, if you are not finding any solutions.

1. Avoid sudden movements by trying to keep your mode of travel smooth. Also, try to avoid any type of reading. Turbulence is certainly going to be unpleasant.

2. As strange as it may sound attempt to eat a decent meal two hour before flying. It works for some but not for others, it is a try and sees type of treatment. In any event do not over eat. Eat light and sensibly. 3. Try and get as much fresh air as possible.

4. Ginger has long been known for its anti nausea effects. It is often a natural remedy use for morning sickness in expectant women. There are many variations of ginger available and you could try them all to see which works best for you. It is also available in pill form as well, although the natural is purported as being the best. Simply make yourself some ginger tea from fresh ginger root.

5. Do yourself a big favor and abstain from alcohol the night before. A hang over is bad enough, but you don?t want to experience a hang over with motion sickness while you are piloting a plane.

6. looking straight ahead at the horizon may help but as the pilot, you are not able to do this.

Finally, no matter what method you choose, always carry a sick bag with you for those unpreventable moments.

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