How to prepare for a video visit about Motion Sickness

Audience: pediatric

Motion sickness is common in children and can cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting during travel or movement. A video visit with a healthcare provider can help you understand your child's symptoms and discuss ways to manage or prevent motion sickness. Before the visit, it helps to note when symptoms occur, what triggers them, and any treatments already tried. During the video visit, the provider will ask questions about your child's health and symptoms to suggest helpful strategies or treatments. This guide explains how to prepare for the visit, what telemedicine can and cannot do for motion sickness, and when to seek urgent care.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Persistent vomiting lasting more than 24 hours — seek immediate medical care.
• Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, no tears when crying, or very little urine output — get urgent evaluation.
• Confusion, severe headache, or difficulty staying awake — go to emergency care promptly.

What telemedicine can do

• Discussing symptoms and medical history related to motion sickness.
• Providing advice on prevention and management strategies.
• Recommending over-the-counter or prescription options when appropriate.
• Answering questions about when to seek in-person care.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examination to assess dehydration or other complications.
• Administering treatments or tests that require in-person visits.
• Managing severe or worsening symptoms that need urgent care.

What is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness happens when the brain receives mixed signals from the eyes, inner ears, and body about movement. This confusion can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, and feeling tired. It often happens during car rides, boat trips, or flights, especially in children.

Preparing for Your Video Visit

Before your video visit, gather information to share with the healthcare provider:

What to Expect During the Video Visit

The healthcare provider will ask about your child's symptoms, health history, and daily activities. They may give advice on ways to reduce motion sickness, such as:

They will also discuss when to seek in-person care if symptoms worsen.

When to Seek In-Person Care

If your child has severe vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours, signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, little urine), confusion, or severe headache, seek medical care immediately. These symptoms may need physical examination and treatment that cannot be done through telemedicine.

Tips to Help Prevent Motion Sickness

Some simple steps may help reduce motion sickness in children:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Find a quiet, well-lit place for the video call.
• Have a list of your child's symptoms, when they occur, and triggers.
• Note any treatments or medicines already used.
• Prepare your child's medical history and any relevant documents.
• Ensure your device has a working camera and microphone.
• Have a pen and paper ready to take notes during the visit.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider’s advice on managing symptoms.
• Use recommended prevention strategies during travel.
• Monitor your child’s symptoms and hydration status.
• Contact your provider if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.
• Seek in-person care if red flag symptoms appear.

FAQs

What causes motion sickness in children?

Motion sickness happens when the brain gets mixed signals about movement from the eyes, inner ears, and body. This confusion can cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, especially during travel.

Are there medicines safe for children to prevent motion sickness?

Some medicines may help prevent motion sickness in children, but it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider before giving any medication. They can recommend safe options based on your child's age and health.

Can motion sickness be cured?

Motion sickness often improves as children grow older. While it may not be fully cured, symptoms can usually be managed effectively with prevention strategies and, if needed, medication.

When should I take my child to the emergency room for motion sickness?

Seek emergency care if your child has severe vomiting lasting more than a day, signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, little urine), confusion, or severe headache. These signs need immediate medical attention.

Sources

1. Motion Sickness — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Motion Sickness in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Travel and Motion Sickness — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Merck Manual Consumer Version: Motion Sickness — Merck & Co., Inc..

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child’s symptoms are severe or worsen, please seek immediate medical attention.