Planes, trains and camels?

For the majority of the UK, a holiday begins with a journey either by car, train, plane or boat. Usually this trip is cramped, noisy and marred by delays and cancellations. Unfortunately for the one in three of the UK population who suffer regularly from travel sickness symptoms, nausea, sickness, dizziness and headaches are another downside to the travelling experience.

Who gets travel sickness? It affects men and woman equally with a third of the population suffering on normal journeys and over 60% suffering during rough conditions such as turbulence on a plane. Lawrence of Arabia was said to suffer when travelling across the desert by camel and Lord Nelson experienced travel sickness every time he went to sea.

What causes travel sickness? Repeated movements, such as going over bumps or round in a circle, send lots of messages to your brain. Your eyes think one thing about the position of your body, while your inner balance mechanisms in your ear feel something different. These mixed messages and the conflict in your senses can make you feel sick. Travel sickness can also be triggered by anxiety or smells, such as food or petrol or by trying to read a book or a map.

What treatments are available? Nelsons Travella contains a unique combination of seven homeopathic remedies, each specifically chosen to bring soothing relief for the unpleasant symptoms associated with travel sickness. Travella does not cause drowsiness so you can fully enjoy your journey.

Top tips for avoiding travel sickness:

- Avoiding heavy meals and alcohol before travelling
- Breathe deeply
- If you are able to, look forward and concentrate on the horizon
- Get as much fresh air as possible
- Do not read. Listen to music or an MP3 player instead
- Acupressure. This can be applied by pressing your finger against the middle of the inner wrist about three finger widths above the crease where the wrist joins the hand
- Take Nelsons Travella, natural travel sickness relief tablets before you travel

Travella is part of Nelsons’ formulated range of natural products. To find out more about Travella or any of the range, visit nelsons.net. As with all medicines, if symptoms persist or worsen, consult your doctor. Always read the label.

Travella is available from Boots, Holland and Barrett, selected Lloyds pharmacies, Superdug, Tesco, Waitrose, selected WH Smiths at the airport, selected P&O Ferries and all good independent health food and pharmacy stores. Price: £4.60 for 72 tablets.