Skip to main content

Featured post

Child Travel Sickness & Motion Sensitivity | London & Essex

  Why Does My Child Get Travel Sick? A Parent’s Guide to Motion Sensitivity Travel sickness can turn a family journey into a stressful experience. A child may become pale, quiet, sweaty, dizzy, nauseous or suddenly vomit during a car journey, coach trip, ferry crossing, flight or theme-park ride. For some families, it happens occasionally. For others, every long drive becomes a challenge. Parents often ask: “Is this just normal travel sickness, or could there be something wrong with my child’s ears or balance system?” The reassuring answer is that travel sickness is common in children and is often manageable with practical steps. However, some children have symptoms that are more severe, persistent or associated with other problems such as dizziness, headaches, hearing symptoms or balance concerns. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon , assesses children with ear, hearing and balance-related concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford and...

Child Travel Sickness & Motion Sensitivity | London & Essex

 

Why Does My Child Get Travel Sick? A Parent’s Guide to Motion Sensitivity

Travel sickness can turn a family journey into a stressful experience. A child may become pale, quiet, sweaty, dizzy, nauseous or suddenly vomit during a car journey, coach trip, ferry crossing, flight or theme-park ride.

For some families, it happens occasionally. For others, every long drive becomes a challenge.

Parents often ask: “Is this just normal travel sickness, or could there be something wrong with my child’s ears or balance system?”

The reassuring answer is that travel sickness is common in children and is often manageable with practical steps. However, some children have symptoms that are more severe, persistent or associated with other problems such as dizziness, headaches, hearing symptoms or balance concerns.

Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear, hearing and balance-related concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford and wider Essex.

This guide explains why travel sickness happens, what parents can try, and when further assessment may be helpful.

What Is Travel Sickness?

Travel sickness, also called motion sickness, happens when the brain receives mixed messages about movement.

During a car journey, the inner-ear balance organs may sense motion, but the eyes may be focused on a still object such as a book, tablet or phone. The brain receives conflicting information, and some children respond with nausea, dizziness or vomiting.

Common symptoms include:

  • feeling sick
  • vomiting
  • dizziness
  • sweating
  • paleness
  • yawning
  • dribbling
  • headache
  • tummy discomfort
  • becoming unusually quiet
  • wanting to lie down

Some children cannot describe nausea clearly. Instead, parents may notice they become pale, stop talking, complain of tummy ache or suddenly vomit.

Why Are Children Prone to Motion Sickness?

Children’s balance systems and brain responses to motion are still developing. Some children are simply more sensitive to movement than others.

Travel sickness may be triggered by:

  • winding roads
  • stop-start traffic
  • sitting in the back seat
  • reading during travel
  • looking down at screens
  • strong smells
  • heavy meals before travel
  • anxiety about being sick
  • poor ventilation
  • ferries, boats or turbulence

Many children improve as they grow older, but some remain sensitive into teenage years or adulthood.

Is Travel Sickness an Inner-Ear Problem?

The inner ear is involved because it contains the vestibular organs that sense movement and balance. However, ordinary travel sickness does not necessarily mean there is an ear disease.

ENT or audiovestibular assessment may be more relevant if travel sickness is associated with:

  • dizziness when not travelling
  • spinning vertigo
  • recurrent balance problems
  • hearing loss
  • tinnitus
  • ear pressure
  • recurrent ear infections
  • headaches or migraine-like symptoms
  • symptoms that are worsening or unusual

For most children who are only sick during travel and otherwise well, practical travel measures and pharmacy advice are often the first step.

Practical Tips Before Travel

Parents can reduce the chance of travel sickness by planning ahead.

Helpful steps include:

  • avoid heavy or greasy meals before travel
  • offer a light snack if the child travels better with food
  • plan regular breaks on long car journeys
  • keep the car cool and well ventilated
  • avoid strong perfumes, air fresheners or food smells
  • use a seat position where the child can look forwards
  • encourage the child to look at the horizon or road ahead
  • avoid reading, drawing or screens during travel
  • pack wipes, bags, spare clothes and water
  • keep reassurance calm and matter-of-fact

A child who has previously been sick may become anxious before travelling. Calm preparation can help reduce the fear cycle.

What Helps During the Journey?

During travel, try:

  • looking straight ahead
  • listening to music or audiobooks
  • singing songs
  • quiet conversation
  • fresh air where possible
  • short stops during long journeys
  • avoiding screens and books
  • keeping the head supported

For younger children, distraction that does not involve looking down is often more helpful than screens.

Can Children Take Travel Sickness Medicine?

Some children benefit from travel sickness medication, but parents should ask a pharmacist, GP or appropriate clinician for age-specific advice.

This is important because not all medicines are suitable for all ages, and some can cause drowsiness or other side effects.

Do not use adult travel sickness medication for a child without checking suitability and dose. Also avoid giving medicines borrowed from another family member.

If your child has other medical conditions, takes regular medication, or is very young, ask for medical advice before using travel sickness medicine.

When Is It More Than Travel Sickness?

Most children with motion sickness are well between journeys.

Further assessment may be needed if your child also has:

  • dizziness at school or home
  • unsteadiness or frequent falls
  • headaches with light or sound sensitivity
  • vomiting without travel
  • hearing changes
  • tinnitus
  • ear discharge
  • severe ear pain
  • fainting or collapse
  • symptoms after head injury

Migraine can sometimes present with dizziness, nausea and motion sensitivity in children. Vision problems, dehydration, anxiety and other medical causes can also contribute.

Red Flags: When Should Parents Seek Urgent Help?

Seek urgent medical help if your child has vomiting or dizziness with:

  • severe headache
  • neck stiffness
  • confusion
  • fainting or collapse
  • weakness of the face, arm or leg
  • difficulty speaking
  • new double vision
  • sudden hearing loss
  • severe dizziness that does not settle
  • repeated vomiting with dehydration
  • significant head injury
  • chest pain or palpitations
  • a very unwell appearance

Travel sickness should not cause neurological symptoms, collapse or severe ongoing illness. These symptoms need prompt medical assessment.

When Should a Child See an ENT or Balance Specialist?

Paediatric ENT or audiovestibular assessment may be useful when motion sensitivity is linked with:

  • recurrent dizziness outside travel
  • true spinning vertigo
  • hearing loss
  • tinnitus
  • ear pressure
  • recurrent ear infections
  • balance difficulties
  • suspected inner-ear problems
  • significant impact on school, travel or daily life

The aim is not to label every travel-sick child as having an ear condition. The aim is to identify children whose symptoms suggest a broader balance, hearing or vestibular issue.

Paediatric ENT Care in London and Essex

For families in London and Essex, travel sickness can be especially disruptive around long commutes, airport journeys, school trips, ferries and holiday travel.

Mr Gaurav Kumar provides paediatric ENT assessment for children with dizziness, balance symptoms, hearing concerns, tinnitus, recurrent ear problems and motion sensitivity where an ear or vestibular cause is suspected.

Children are assessed individually, with attention to the pattern of symptoms, associated hearing or balance signs, and whether further audiology or vestibular input is appropriate.

Conclusion

Travel sickness is common in children and often improves with simple practical measures. Looking forward, avoiding screens, taking breaks, improving ventilation and planning meals carefully can all help.

Most children with travel sickness do not have a serious ear problem.

However, travel sickness that occurs alongside dizziness outside journeys, hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent balance problems, severe headaches, fainting or neurological symptoms needs proper assessment.

The key is to separate ordinary motion sickness from symptoms that suggest a wider ear, balance, migraine or medical issue.

FAQs

Why does my child get travel sick?
Travel sickness happens when the brain receives mixed messages from the eyes and inner-ear balance system during movement.

Is travel sickness linked to the inner ear?
The inner ear is involved in sensing movement, but ordinary travel sickness does not automatically mean there is an ear disease.

Should my child avoid screens in the car?
Screens and reading can worsen travel sickness because the eyes focus on something still while the body senses movement.

Can children take travel sickness tablets?
Some can, but parents should ask a pharmacist or clinician for age-appropriate advice because not all medicines are suitable for all children.

Can migraine cause motion sensitivity?
Yes. Some children with migraine are more motion sensitive, especially if they also have headaches, light sensitivity or nausea.

When should I worry about travel sickness?
Seek advice if symptoms occur without travel, are severe, include hearing loss or tinnitus, or are associated with fainting, neurological symptoms or significant headaches.

Does my child need ENT assessment?
ENT review may help if motion sensitivity is linked with dizziness, hearing symptoms, tinnitus, recurrent ear infections or balance problems.


Call 07494914140
Book Online





Popular Post

LAX VOX

  LAX VOX  is a vocal therapy technique that can help improve voice quality, relaxation, and overall vocal health. It involves using a unique tube to create  bubbling sounds  while phonating.  Here are the steps for practising LAX VOX: Relax and Focus on Posture and Breathing : Maintain a good posture with a long spine. Relax your face, neck, upper back, and chest muscles, allowing them to release toward gravity. Preparing for Bubbling with Phonation : Place a  silicone tube  (about 35 cm long and 9-12 mm in diameter) between or in front of your incisor teeth and above your tongue. Keep your tongue relaxed (imagine it as a piece of steak) and slightly touch the tube. Hold the water-filled bottle near your body to avoid using shoulder muscles. Inhale through your nose as if you’re yawning with your mouth closed. Prepare for phonation during exhalation, focusing on abdominal and lower back muscles. Finding the Target Voice : Create bubbling sounds with y...
Read more

Retracted Ear Drum

  What Is a Retracted Eardrum? A retracted eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane retraction, is a condition where the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is pulled inward or drawn backwards from its normal position. The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the outer ear to the middle ear, where the auditory ossicles (small bones) are located.   Under normal circumstances, the eardrum is slightly concave and positioned at an angle that allows it to respond to changes in air pressure. The Eustachian tube, a tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment.   However, in cases of a retracted eardrum, the Eustachian tube might not function correctly or become blocked, leading to an imbalance in pressure. When negative pressure builds up in the middle ear, it causes the eardrum t...
Read more

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar

Private Pediatric Coblation Tonsillectomy London & Essex | Mr Gaurav Kumar Coblation Tonsillectomy for Children: A Gentler, Less Painful Option in London and Essex When a child suffers from chronically enlarged tonsils that disrupt their breathing at night, or recurrent bouts of tonsillitis that cause high fevers and missed school days, surgical removal is often the most effective long-term solution. However, the prospect of a traditional tonsillectomy can make many parents incredibly anxious, primarily due to concerns over post-operative throat pain and a lengthy recovery period. Fortunately, modern surgical advancements have introduced a technique designed specifically to address these concerns: Coblation Tonsillectomy . If you are looking into private treatment options for your child outside of overstretched local NHS waiting lists, understanding how this gentle technology works can help you make an informed choice. This guide breaks down the benefits of coblation and how famil...
Read more

After your Epley manoeuvre — patient information leaflet

  What this leaflet tells you This leaflet explains what to expect after the Epley (canalith repositioning) manoeuvre for posterior-canal BPPV, what you should and shouldn’t do, and when to seek help.   1. Quick summary — what the Epley did The manoeuvre moves tiny particles (otoconia) out of the balance canal of your inner ear and back into a place where they don’t cause spinning (vertigo). Most people feel much better after one or a few treatments. However BPPV can come back (recurrence is common).   2. How you may feel immediately afterwards You may feel dizzy or off-balance for a few minutes to a few hours; nausea is possible.   Some people feel better straightaway; others get gradual improvement over days.   Rarely ,you may have brief recurrences of vertigo — this does not always mean the manoeuvre failed.   3. Activity and posture — what the evidence says Good news: High-quality studies and recent guidelines show that strict he...
Read more

Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: Day-by-Day Guide After Tonsil Surgery

  Adult Tonsillectomy Recovery: What to Expect Day by Day Adult tonsillectomy can significantly improve quality of life for people struggling with recurrent tonsillitis, chronic sore throats or repeated throat infections. However, recovery after adult tonsil surgery is often more uncomfortable than many patients expect. Understanding the normal stages of recovery can help reduce anxiety and allow patients to prepare properly before surgery. This guide explains what adults commonly experience after tonsillectomy, how to support recovery safely, and when to seek urgent medical advice. Why is adult tonsillectomy recovery difficult? The tonsils sit in an area that moves constantly during swallowing, eating and speaking. After surgery, the throat heals gradually over approximately two weeks. Adults generally experience: Significant throat pain Pain when swallowing Ear pain (referred pain from the throat) Tiredness and reduced energy Disturbed sleep Temporary bad brea...
Read more

Earbuds vs Over-Ears: Which One Is Silently Damaging Your Hearing?

Headphones are no longer an occasional accessory—they’re part of daily life. From early-morning podcasts to late-night playlists, our ears are spending more time under acoustic load than ever before. But a question keeps coming up in clinics, classrooms, and conversations around ear health: Are earbuds worse for your hearing than over-ear headphones? Let’s move beyond opinion and aesthetics. By looking at sound pressure levels , hygiene , and long-term listening behaviour , we can reach a clear, evidence-informed conclusion. 1. Sound Pressure Levels: Distance Matters More Than You Think The single most important factor in headphone-related hearing risk is the amount of sound energy that  reaches the inner ear . Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) Sit millimetres from the eardrum Deliver sound directly into the ear canal Require lower absolute power , but often result in higher sound pressure at the cochlea Users tend to increase volume in noisy environments (commuting, g...
Read more

Flying with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction | London & Essex ENT

  Dread the Descent? Tips for Flying with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Blocked Ears in East London, Brentwood and Essex For most holidaymakers or business travellers across East London, Brentwood and Essex, boarding a flight is the start of an exciting journey. But if you suffer from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) , looking at a plane ticket can fill you with pure dread. The thought of that final 30-minute descent—waiting for a sharp, agonizing pop or a feeling of absolute deafness that lasts for days after landing—is enough to make anyone anxious. You might find yourself frantically chewing gum, swallowing hard, or panicking as you sit on the tarmac, worrying about permanent damage to your hearing. If you are tired of your ears feeling completely blocked every time you travel, it is not something you simply have to endure. Understanding how your ears react to cabin pressure, paired with a few specialist strategies, can completely transform your next journey. Anatomy and Path...
Read more

Glue Ear in Children: A Parent’s Guide to Hearing, Grommets and Adenoids in London & Essex

  Glue Ear in Children: A Parent’s Guide to Hearing, Grommets and Adenoids in London & Essex If your child keeps saying “what?”, turns the television up loudly, seems distracted at school, has delayed speech, or appears to ignore you, it may not be behaviour. One common reason is glue ear , a condition where fluid builds up behind the eardrum and causes temporary hearing loss. For parents in London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Redbridge, Ilford, Woodford, Chelmsford and wider Essex, glue ear is one of the most common reasons for seeking paediatric ENT advice. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, sees children with hearing problems, recurrent ear infections, blocked noses, enlarged adenoids, snoring and suspected glue ear. This guide explains what glue ear is, how parents may spot it, when to seek help, and when treatments such as hearing support, grommets or adenoid surgery may be considered.   What Is Glue Ear? Glue ear is also called otitis media with effusion ...
Read more

Swallowing Difficulty (Dysphagia): Causes, Warning Signs and When to See an ENT Specialist

  Swallowing Difficulty (Dysphagia): What Causes It and When Should You Be Concerned? Most people swallow hundreds of times every day without noticing. When swallowing becomes uncomfortable, difficult or feels abnormal, it can quickly affect eating, drinking and quality of life. Some patients describe food “sticking” in the throat, while others notice coughing during meals, discomfort swallowing tablets or a persistent sensation of tightness in the throat. The medical term for swallowing difficulty is dysphagia . Swallowing problems can range from mild irritation to more significant conditions requiring specialist investigation. This article explains common causes of dysphagia, symptoms to look out for and when to seek ENT assessment. What is dysphagia? Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing. It may involve problems with: Swallowing solids Swallowing liquids Initiating a swallow Sensation of food sticking Pain during swallowing Coughing or choking while eating Symptoms ...
Read more

Object Stuck in Child’s Nose or Ear | ENT Advice London & Essex

  Child Put Something in Their Nose or Ear: A Parent’s Guide for London & Essex It can happen in seconds. A toddler is playing with beads, a small toy, a pea, a piece of tissue, a rubber, a seed, a button battery or a magnet. Suddenly, they say something feels funny — or you notice a blocked nostril, ear discomfort, crying, discharge or a bad smell. For many parents, the first instinct is to try to pull it out. That is understandable, but it can sometimes make things worse. If your child has something stuck firmly in their nose or ear, it is usually safer not to poke around at home. Attempts with tweezers, cotton buds, hair clips or fingers may push the object deeper, cause bleeding, damage the ear canal or make removal more difficult. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear, nose and throat concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford and wider Essex. This guide explains what parents should do, what to avoid,...
Read more