We’ve all been there before.  Either in a car or on a boat, but it’s that unmistakable queasiness that means your body wants to be still.  But how come it hits you harder than it hits your husband?  Or maybe you remember it being really bad as a child, but now you can tolerate it.  Every single person is able to get motion sick but there are certain risk factors that play a role.  Women are more susceptible than men, especially if she is pregnant.  Children under 2 are almost resistant to motion sickness, but it peaks for most people around age 12.  The best treatment for motion sickness is prevention.  Your brain is very good at balancing itself and this can be used to your advantage.  If your brain recognizes that there is movement, but your eyes aren’t registering any movement, you are increasing your risk of motion sickness.  If you are on a boat or a ship, focus on the horizon or a land mass.  If you are in a vehicle, look out the window and focus on the surroundings.  This will allow your brain to see and feel the motion.   There are other options to help ease motion sickness such as ginger, which can be found most commonly as hard candies or teas.  Acupressure is another tool that can greatly benefit those who suffer from motion sickness.  The most popular product is a simple band that you wear on each wrist that applies pressure to the P6 acupressure point, providing relief for many.  Also, popular over the counter medications include dimenhydrinate, found in Dramamine; diphenhydramine, found in Benadryl; and meclizine, found in Antivert or Bonine.  All three of those options will leave your drowsy, but meclizine is slightly less sedating.  They might also leave you with dry mouth or dry eyes and possibly some urinary retention in the elderly.  If your motion sickness is severe enough to warrant a trip to the doctor, they may prescribe you scopolamine, which is a patch that stays on your skin for three days, or promethazine, which will help treat the nausea but cause significant drowsiness.   Motion sickness is certainly a nuisance, but doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying your favorite spring and summer activities!