Not only do many people experience motion sickness while traveling, but they also encounter dizziness and fatigue even after getting off the vehicle.
Reasons for Prolonged Dizziness and Fatigue After Getting Off the Vehicle
Motion sickness is a normal bodily response. Typically, individuals will feel dizzy, nauseous, have headaches, sweat, or appear pale while traveling. However, some people experience excessive motion sickness, leading to fatigue, headaches, and dizziness lasting for 1-2 days after getting off the vehicle.
1. Understanding Motion Sickness
Motion sickness occurs when your brain cannot process the information received from your eyes, ears, and body correctly. Excessive movement in cars, planes, or boats can lead to feelings of nausea, vomiting, chills, headaches, or stomachaches.
Anyone can experience motion sickness, but certain groups are more likely to be affected, including:
- Women
- Children aged 2 to 12 years
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with migraines
- Those with inner ear disorders
Women are more susceptible to motion sickness. (Photo: Internet).
2. What to Do If You Feel Tired and Dizzy After Getting Off the Vehicle?
Most people with motion sickness notice that their symptoms disappear immediately after getting off the vehicle or within 1-2 hours. However, some individuals may still experience lingering symptoms, such as fatigue and dizziness, even after returning home.
Why Do You Still Feel Motion Sickness After Getting Off?
This may occur because the body is still trying to adjust after being subjected to constant motion. Additionally, conflicting sensations between what the eyes see and the feelings of motion from the inner ear can linger, often referred to as the “post-motion sickness effect.”
Sometimes, this condition may also be due to anxiety about upcoming travels and the exhaustion from excessive vomiting.
In rare cases, individuals who feel dizzy and fatigued after traveling may be experiencing underlying medical conditions such as cerebral embolism due to blood clots (often after long trips exceeding 8 hours), uncontrolled blood pressure (in hypertensive patients), uncontrolled blood sugar (in diabetic patients), or electrolyte imbalances due to excessive vomiting, or migraines.
How to Alleviate Motion Sickness Even After Getting Off?
For those who still experience motion sickness not related to any medical condition, resting and proper nutrition can help restore health quickly, such as:
- Resting immediately in a cool, dark, quiet room without strong odors, such as overly concentrated fabric softener.
- Staying hydrated; you can drink warm water or fruit juices but should avoid coffee or caffeinated tea, as these can lead to dehydration and worsen symptoms.
- Having a light snack to regain strength, like a bowl of porridge or easily digestible foods such as crackers, along with some fruit like bananas.
- If you still feel nauseous after getting off, try drinking a warm cup of ginger tea.
- Avoid sudden changes in posture.
- Deep breathing and relaxing your body may alleviate discomfort.
For cases of fatigue and dizziness after getting off that are related to medical conditions, in addition to resting and eating measures mentioned above, medication is required—this should be consulted with a doctor or qualified pharmacist.
Resting, staying hydrated, and having light snacks will help recover after motion sickness. (Photo: Internet).
3. How to Prevent Fatigue and Dizziness After Getting Off the Vehicle
Fatigue and dizziness after getting off the vehicle are due to motion sickness experienced beforehand. Therefore, to prevent this condition, you should take measures to reduce your susceptibility to motion sickness.
Some tips to help reduce motion sickness include:
- Before traveling, ensure you are well-hydrated. Choose low-fat, bland foods rich in carbohydrates. Avoid heavy meals and foods that are oily, spicy, or acidic—as they can upset your stomach and lead to discomfort and nausea.
- Inhale the scent of mint, ginger, tangerine, or light lavender. Sometimes, motion sickness can be triggered by strong smells from the vehicle, so wearing a mask may help avoid strong odors.
- Suck on hard candies made from mint or ginger to reduce nausea.
- Avoid using phones, computers, or reading while in transit. Instead, focus your gaze on a distant object or the horizon.
- Recline if possible and close your eyes.
- Choose seats towards the front rather than the back or near the wheels.
- Get fresh air if possible.
- Maintain a relaxed mindset.
- Apply acupressure on the wrist. Place your index, middle, and ring fingers of your right hand on the inside of your left wrist, starting from below the crease. Press firmly on one or both wrists for a few seconds or until symptoms subside.
- Use over-the-counter motion sickness medications.
When experiencing motion sickness, choose to sit in upper positions. (Photo: Internet).
4. When to Seek Medical Attention for Post-Vehicle Fatigue and Dizziness?
Usually, symptoms will subside quickly, but there are some cases that require a visit to the hospital when:
- Excessive fatigue, unable to get up to eat or maintain personal hygiene.
- Dizziness and nausea persist or result in continuous vomiting.
- Dizziness accompanied by ear symptoms such as hearing loss or ear pain.
- Disorientation in space and time.
- Blood pressure changes (low or high blood pressure), rapid heartbeat.
- Fever.
