August exodus: a nightmare journey for 800,000 children suffering from car sickness.

The August exodus has begun, with the first black weekend on Italian roads. But the eagerly awaited move to vacation can become a nightmare trip for children (and their parents) struggling with car sickness . Many children and teenagers will be at risk of nausea and vomiting on board this weekend, almost as many as the inhabitants of an entire Lombardy province like Varese. Pediatrician Italo Farnetani estimates 800,000 of them, a figure that can be halved by following simple advice . Two in particular: no smartphones during the trip, and before leaving and during the trip, keep liquids to a minimum and only consume solid foods, choosing those that children enjoy most.

According to the doctor's estimates for Adnkronos Salute, "around 2.8 million Italian children and teenagers aged 0 to 14 will travel in the great exodus. Based on statistics reported over the years, and also on my previous findings," he reports, "on average, it can be calculated that the number of children who suffer from car sickness in the absence of precautions is equivalent to 28.5% of the total number of children under 14 traveling : that's 800,000 these days." But why? "Motion sickness, the technical name for car sickness, has a simple explanation. A structure located inside the ear called the labyrinth," Farnetani describes, "integrates the data it receives from the eyes and adjusts our perception of our body based on Earth's gravity and our movements. When you're in a car, however, the labyrinth becomes disoriented because the car's movements are independent of your position in the seat. Car sickness occurs precisely because the labyrinth" goes haywire, and "in an attempt to maintain balance, it will activate various components of the body that will lead to an increased production of secretions, especially in the stomach. This results in an abundance of gastric fluids that are not normally present, which will cause the main symptoms of motion sickness: discomfort, nausea, and vomiting."

What to do? The first piece of advice is well known even to former children who struggled with car sickness throughout their childhood: "If you look out the window, looking for fixed points of reference , the maze will become less confusing," confirms the pediatrician. The admonition " raise your head and look at the road ," the unchanged mantra of generations of parents forced to travel with a bag at the ready, is therefore supported by science.

Second tip: " No smartphones while your child is traveling. If the child's eyes focus on the phone screen instead of looking at the road the car is traveling," the doctor explains, "the labyrinth is no longer able to understand where it is and what it needs to do. And that's when car sickness sets in. In many cases, simply not using the smartphone significantly reduces the risk of motion sickness," Farnetani assures.

"But since car sickness has always existed," he observes, "and children suffered from it even before the invention of cell phones, the condition can still arise even without a phone in hand." Hence the third suggestion: "Before departure and during the trip, children should eat solid foods ." Not just any foods, but "the ones they prefer: pizza, puff pastry, the classic bread and oil," or something else. Just "don't add liquids to the abnormal secretions produced by the stomach. So, be careful with the drinks and even water, precisely to 'dry' the gastric contents." Changing smartphones and diet, the specialist assures, "is enough to halve the percentage of children with car sickness."

"But it's still not enough," continues the pediatrician, who urges parents to adopt a wise driving style: "It should be as smooth as possible. It's important to proceed continuously, without accelerating or making sharp turns . Then it's essential to keep the passenger compartment cool, so use the air conditioning when available." "It's also a good idea to engage the child or adolescent by talking about topics that interest them. Sports, for example, or something else based on their personal tastes. Or tell stories about the places we're going, the people we'll meet. It's important to stop every two hours," adds Farnetani. Finally, "a recommendation that always applies: remember to park the car in a shaded area."

How about other means of transport? Compared to the car, "train travel can be more comfortable," the doctor reflects, "because the carriage's movements are limited, the child is more distracted and can walk, which is a way to allow the labyrinth to function well." And by sea? "Travel is now comfortable even on cruise ships or ferries, because today they are particularly stable." But Farnetani has no doubts: the best way is in the skies. "The ideal means of transport is by plane , which minimizes travel time and which children can take at any age, even very young ones." It is no coincidence that "a study conducted by members of the scientific committee that awards Green Flags to child-friendly beaches," an initiative of which the expert is the promoter and creator, "has shown over the last two years an increasing tendency among parents, especially those coming from far away, to travel by plane and choose seaside resorts closer to airports."

"Even if you're traveling by train, plane, or boat," the doctor emphasizes, "it's always a good idea to follow the dietary guidelines recommended for car travel: be careful with liquids and favor dry foods, always choosing those the child likes. While I absolutely advise against using smartphones for children and adolescents traveling by car or bus, it's allowed on trains, planes, or boats. In fact, it's a way to combat boredom and make the trip more enjoyable." With some caveats: "First, as with any screen, even when traveling, your phone should not be used for more than two hours a day. Second, it shouldn't be used during takeoff, landing, or during turbulence for those flying, or in rough seas for those boarding."

Farnetani concludes by granting those who opt for air travel an exception regarding liquids : "Those who fly must be aware that the cabin air is dry, because the higher you go in the atmosphere, the lower the percentage of water vapor. The mucous membranes become dehydrated, and a slight cough may appear. Therefore, especially on long journeys," the pediatrician concludes, "it is important to drink on the plane, precisely because the body may need to replenish the fluids it cannot take in through breathing."