10 Easy Things You Can Do To Keep Your Kids From Getting Car Sick

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If you plan to travel, and you will be traveling by car, chances are, you may have a long drive ahead of you. The drive can seem even longer if you have kids who may be likely to get car sick, especially when traveling at long distances. Car sickness, also called motion sickness or travel sickness, is an illness caused by motion during travel. Movies make us think of projectile vomiting and absolute disasters, but car sickness is far more common than that; nearly every person will experience a mild form of motion sickness at some point. Unfortunately, the movies did get one thing correct—children tend to be more susceptible to car sickness than anyone else. Luckily, there are 10 easy things you can do to keep your kids from getting car sick, or resolve it if it happens during your trip.

1. SIT YOUR KIDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT.

Kids should always be in proper car seats, but for those prone to car sickness, center them in the middle seat. A clear view through the windshield helps them keep from getting dizzy during the trip.

2. GIVE YOUR KIDS RAW GINGER.

Raw ginger is a great homeopathic remedy to be taken if your little ones start to feel ill during the trip. Soothing the stomach without resorting to over-the-counter medicine, raw ginger is perfect for car sickness.

3. GIVE YOUR KIDS MINT LEAVES TO CHEW ON.

Thought to have soothing properties, mint can also help with stomachaches. Mint leaves are fun for kids to chew on, and it also helps cool the inside of the mouth. Mint leaves can be chewed continuously, before the trip begins until a few minutes before you arrive at your destination.

4. TRY DRAMAMINE.

Some kids need a little more to help fight back the nausea of car sickness. You can buy Dramamine over the counter and use it to prevent car sickness or use it as a remedy during car sickness. It can last anywhere from 4-6 hours.

5. PLAN PRE-TRIP MEALS WELL.

Plan the meals that you eat before you begin your trip. Avoiding greasy and spicy foods can help keep the stomach settled and can help keep the trip from going off track.

6. REDUCE YOUR KIDS’ SENSORY INPUT.

Focusing on a book or tablet while in the car can end up making kids dizzy. Dizziness and vertigo (while symptoms themselves) can lead to nausea and vomiting; even though the quiet is good in the short term, listening to audiobooks and music over the stereo is a safer alternative.

7. CIRCULATE FRESH AIR IN THE CAR.

The breeze in your hair, the smell of fresh cut grass… and also a perfect way to prevent car sickness. Removing stale air from the car helps decrease the likelihood that your kids may become nauseous during the trip.

8. GET YOUR KIDS TO TAKE A NAP DURING THE TRIP.

Napping has so many benefits: the peace and quiet, the easy drive, and the lack of car sickness. If you can get your kids to nap (and they will if they take Dramamine), they’ll likely wake up feeling refreshed and without stomach problems.

9. TEACH YOUR KIDS TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF CAR SICKNESS.

Better to overreact than under react; having your kids know the signs of motion sickness can help to prevent problems before they start. Even if they start out feeling alright, hours in a car can make even the toughest stomachs feel queasy. Having everyone know the signs can create treatment instead of cleanup.

10. PACK THE BRAT DIET AND INCLUDE HYDRATION.

Hours in a car plus no easy rest stops equals an empty and upset stomach. Packing snacks such as the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), other bland foods (saltines or crackers), and plenty of water can ease a queasy stomach.

Family trips should be enjoyed—without a car sick mess. To stay up to date on the latest news in healthcare, and for more helpful tips you can use everyday, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. To learn even more about healthcare, enroll in a course offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy, and get a 50% discount on select courses.

Changes You Should Be Aware Of At Your Doctor’s Office Due to COVID-19

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In this time of COVID-19, you will be seeing a number of changes when you go to your doctor’s office. Here are some changes that you will see so that you can be prepared and confident about your upcoming appointment. 

  • Telemedicine options – When you make your appointment, you may be offered the option of doing a visit from your home. This could be a phone call or a video call. Think about whether a remote visit could work for your situation.
  • Reminder calls – Many offices are using the reminder call to get an updated status on your health. They may ask if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu. This will help them to prepare for your visit if you are concerned about exposure to the virus.
  • Signs at the entrance – Look for communication about prevention practices happening at your doctor’s office (wearing a mask, social distancing, etc.) and follow the requests. Staff may also be at the entrance and may take your temperature or ask about your current symptoms.
  • Waiting room supplies – Extra disinfecting supplies and trash cans will be available. Make use of supplies if you need them. Extra cleaning for magazines, toys, etc will be taking place, but be proactive when you use these items. Clean the item when you are finished using them with the supplied wipes, etc.
  • Limit non-patient visitors – Only people who are part of the appointment should be in the office. This will minimize the number of people gathering in the medical facility.
  • Providing separation for patients with symptoms – If a patient is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, the staff will provide a prompt placement in a private room.
  • The exam room – After each patient visit, the facility will use EPA-registered disinfectant on the counters, seating, and exam table. Be assured that your health is protected at this point as well. Go ahead and have a candid conversation with your doctor about your medical concerns as you would at any visit. 
  • After-visit summary – Take home any information that the doctor provides at the end of your visit. These first visits during COVID-19 can be stressful, and this paperwork will help to remind you of what you discussed, course of treatment, and the necessary follow up for you.

These changes are new for all of us, so don’t worry if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed at your next doctor’s visit. The staff is there to assist you and answer any questions that you may have. So speak up if you need some help, and don’t be shy about bringing questions that you have thought about in advance. This will ensure that you are making the most of your visit, and taking the proper precautions to stay safe.

To stay up to date on the latest information on COVID-19, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. We have several upcoming articles that deal specifically with COVID-19 in the healthcare industry. If you are interested in learning more about different areas of healthcare, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy. If you are interested in enrolling in our healthcare courses, you can view our courses here. Our courses are in a self-paced online format, so this is a great time to take that step for your career.

Health and Your Pets: How to Keep Your Pets Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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The case of a cat getting sick from COVID in Belgium and the sick tigers at the Bronx Zoo have made many cat owners worried about the potential threat to their beloved animals. There have also been cases of dogs testing positive for COVID but none, so far, have been sick. In all cases, the animals caught the virus from an infected human; there’s no evidence of cat to human transmission. However, experiments show that cats can transmit COVID to each other.

So, how much should you worry and what should you do?

What is the Risk to Your Pets?

Of the small sample of pets tested so far, none of the dogs had symptoms. Most of the cats also had no symptoms, and those that did experienced only mild illness. So far, there is no indication that there is a risk of a dog or cat dying or becoming seriously ill.

The only animals infected so far were all in close contact (i.e., same household) with a human with COVID-19.

What Should You Do to Protect Your Pets?

First of all, don’t panic. Although it is theoretically possible for a human to be exposed to COVID through a cat, there is no evidence that this has happened.

Second, take the following precautions:

  1. Keep your cat indoors (as you should anyway). Indoor/outdoor cats should be confined for the duration. If your cat is leash trained, take them for a walk but keep them away from other cats, dogs, and people.
  2. Walk your dog at a distance from other dogs or people. Even if dog parks are open, avoid them. Keep your dog home from day care.
  3. Have someone else care for your pet if you have been exposed to COVID-19. If you have COVID-19, or you suspect that you may have COVID-19, have somebody else take care of your pet temporarily, until you are given the all clear. Don’t pet, snuggle, or kiss your cat or dog until you have completely recovered. If you are quarantining in one room, keep your pets out of the room that you have chosen for your quarantine.

Keeping your pets safe during this time is as important as keeping yourself safe. Thankfully, infection of pets is rare and has yet to result in serious illness, so don’t worry, but do keep your pets away from other households at this time, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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