Med School Refresher: Motion Sickness

Understanding and Managing Motion Sickness: A Patient's Guide

1. Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can affect anyone and varies widely from person to person. This unpleasant sensation generally occurs in response to certain types of movement, whether it's real or perceived. Here are some common symptoms:

1. Nausea: This is the most common symptom. You might feel like you're going to vomit, although not everyone actually does.
2. Vomiting: Some people do vomit as a result of motion sickness.
3. Dizziness: This is often accompanied by a sense of spinning or moving even when you're stationary.
4. Sweating: You might feel unusually hot and start to sweat.
5. Pale skin: People often turn pale during bouts of motion sickness.
6. Increased salivation: You may produce more saliva than usual.
7. Headache: Some people may experience headaches.

Remember, not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and they can range from mild to severe.

1. Biological Explanation of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness occurs due to a discordance between the sensory inputs received by our brain. The brain integrates information from the eyes, inner ear, and other parts of the body to understand the body's position and motion in the space.

• Eyes: Our eyes provide visual cues to indicate if we are moving or stationary.
• Vestibular system (inner ear): This is responsible for maintaining balance and sense of motion.
• Proprioception (body sensors): These sensors throughout the body provide information about the position of our body parts.

In a moving vehicle, for example, your eyes may see the interior of the vehicle and believe you are stationary, but the fluid in your inner ears senses the turns or accelerations, causing a mismatch of information in the brain. This conflict triggers a complex cascade of neurotransmitter signals in the brain that leads to the symptoms of motion sickness.

1. Managing Motion Sickness Symptoms

Motion sickness can be a real nuisance, but there are ways to manage and possibly prevent it:

1. Pre-travel preparation: If possible, avoid consuming heavy meals or alcohol before traveling. These can make symptoms worse.
2. Positioning: Try to choose a seat where you experience less motion. This is often the front seat of a car, a seat over the wings in an airplane, or a deck level on a ship near the center.
3. Gaze direction: If possible, direct your gaze towards the horizon or the distant scenery. Reading or staring at close-up objects might exacerbate symptoms.
4. Breathing: Slow, deep breaths can help manage the symptoms of nausea and anxiety associated with motion sickness.
5. Medications: Over-the-counter and prescription medications like dimenhydrinate (Gravol) or scopolamine can help prevent or alleviate symptoms.
6. Ginger: Some studies suggest that ginger can help prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Consider drinking ginger tea or taking a ginger supplement before travel.
7. Behavioral therapy: Techniques such as biofeedback and relaxation exercises can help manage symptoms.
8. Acupressure bands: Some people find these wristbands helpful in reducing nausea.

Remember, motion sickness is a common condition and isn't a sign of a more serious health problem. However, if your symptoms persist or frequently disrupt your life, you should consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment.
‍

This handout provides an overview of motion sickness and how to manage it. It's always important to discuss your symptoms and potential treatments with your healthcare provider

‍