Motion Sickness

SUSDOKBANG 2011
Overview
Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner
ear that is caused by repeated motion such as from the
swell of the sea, the movement of a car, the motion of a
plane in turbulent air, etc.
In the inner ear, motion sickness affects the sense of
balance and equilibrium and, hence, the sense of spatial
orientation.
Causes
Motion is sensed by the brain through three different
pathways of the nervous system that send signals coming
from the inner ear (sensing motion, acceleration, and
gravity), the eyes (vision), and the deeper tissues of the
body surface (proprioceptors).

When there is unintentional movement of the body, as

occurs, the brain is not coordinating the input, and there is
thought to be discoordination or conflict among the input
from the three pathways.

It is hypothesized that the conflict among the inputs is

responsible for motion sickness.
Without the motion-sensing organs of the inner ear,
motion sickness does not occur, suggesting that the inner
ear is critical for the development of motion sickness.

Motion sickness is more likely to occur with complex types

of movement, especially movement that is slow or involves
two different directions (for example, vertical and
horizontal) at the same time.
Inner Ear Motion-Sensing Organ
Symptoms
The symptoms of motion sickness include:
nausea,
Paleness of the skin
Cold sweats
Vomiting
Dizziness
Headache
Increased salivation
Fatigue

Other common signs are sweating and a general feeling of

discomfort and not feeling well.
Preventions
 Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that your body
and inner ears feel.
 In a car, sit in the front seat and look at the distant scenery.
 On a boat, go up on the deck and watch the motion of the horizon.
 In an airplane, sit by the window and look outside.
 Also, in a plane, choose a seat over the wings where the motion is
minimized.

 Do not read while traveling if you are subject to motion sickness, and
do not sit in a seat facing backward.

 Do not watch or talk to another traveler who is having motion sickness.

 Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods that do not agree with you
(immediately before and during your travel).

 Take one of the varieties of motion sickness medicines before your

travel begins, as recommended by your physician.

 Eat light meals or snacks that are low in calories in the 24 hours before
air travel.

 Avoid salty foods and dairy products before air travel.

 Turn the air vent flow toward your face.

Treatment
Antihistamine medications are commonly used in the
prevention and treatment of motion sickness. These medicines
seem to prevent and treat the nausea, vomiting, and dizziness
caused by motion sickness by calming the stimulation of the
inner ear.

Another class of medications used to prevent motion sickness is

represented by the scopolamine skin patch (Transderm Scop).
This medicated skin patch is applied behind the ear at least four
hours in advance of the motion activity. The medication is slowly
absorbed directly into the underlying skin.
 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to lessen the anxiety that
some people have just thinking about movement or motion sickness.
During this therapy, people are exposed to a situation that causes
motion sickness (such as a tilting, rotating chair) in a slow fashion
until they experience some symptoms of motion sickness, but not until
the symptoms become overwhelming. As they tolerate the movement
more, they build confidence, reducing their anxiety.

 Breathing Techniques
Those who took slow, deep breaths had a significant reduction in
symptoms of motion sickness compared to those who breathed
normally or counted their breaths. Involuntary rapid and shallow
breathing often exacerbates symptoms of motion sickness. While it
makes sense that slow, deliberate breathing would help reduce anxiety
associated with motion sickness.
Risk Factors
 Common risk factors for motion sickness:

 Riding in a car, boat, airplane, or space shuttle

 Children ages 2 - 12 are most likely to get motion sickness.
 Susceptibility to nausea or vomiting
 Heightened level of fear or anxiety
 Poor ventilation in the vehicle
 Sitting in the back seat or where you cannot see out the window