Motion Sickness: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment
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Motion Sickness: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment
- Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes, inner ear, and body, and about one-third of people are considered highly susceptible.
- Symptoms, which can include nausea, dizziness, and headache, can often be managed with strategies like focusing on the horizon or taking medications such as dimenhydrinate.
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Motion sickness is a common condition that arises when the sensory inputs regarding motion are mismatched, specifically when the eyes, inner ear, and body send contradictory information to the brain. This can happen in various scenarios, including car, train, plane, or boat travel, and even during virtual reality experiences. Symptoms can manifest rapidly and include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, cold sweats, increased salivation, and fatigue.
Several strategies can help prevent or alleviate motion sickness. Choosing the right seat can be beneficial; for example, sitting in the front passenger seat of a car, over the wing on a plane, or in the front or middle of a ship near the waterline. Focusing on a distant, stationary object, like the horizon, can also help to align sensory input. Avoiding reading or using electronic devices while in motion is often recommended, as is getting fresh air. Eating light, bland snacks and staying hydrated with water, while limiting alcohol and caffeine, can also be helpful.
Over-the-counter medications like antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine can be effective, but often cause drowsiness. Prescription options include scopolamine patches, which are placed behind the ear several hours before travel. Ginger, in various forms like tea or candies, is a popular natural remedy for nausea. Acupressure bands worn on the wrists have also been suggested to help. Motion sickness is more common in women, children between 2 and 12 years old, and individuals prone to migraines.