Motion sickness
Motion sickness arises from mismatched sensory signals about motion.
Motion sickness happens when what your body feels and what your eyes see don't match up. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, headache, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and extra saliva. In rare cases, complications can involve dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or a tear in the lower esophagus.
The condition is triggered by real or perceived motion—such as riding in a car, plane, boat, or spacecraft, or using a virtual reality simulation. People who are pregnant, have migraines, or have Ménière's disease are more at risk. Doctors diagnose motion sickness based on the symptoms alone.
Treatment options include behavioral changes and medications. Behavioral tips include keeping your head still and staring at the horizon. Three types of drugs can help: antimuscarinics like scopolamine, H1 antihistamines like dimenhydrinate, and amphetamines like dexamphetamine. However, side effects can limit their use. Many common anti-nausea drugs, such as ondansetron, do not work for motion sickness.
Almost everyone will experience motion sickness at least once if the motion is strong enough. About one-third of people are especially prone, while others only get sick under extreme conditions. Women tend to be more susceptible than men. The condition has been known since at least the time of Homer, around the eighth century BC.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Neurology
- Symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, increased salivation
- Complications
- Dehydration, electrolyte problems, lower esophageal tear
- Causes
- Real or perceived motion
- Risks
- Pregnancy, migraines, Ménière's disease
- Diagnosis
- Based on symptoms
- Differential
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular migraine, stroke
- Prevention
- Avoidance of triggers
- Treatment
- Behavioral measures, medications
- Medication
- Scopolamine, dimenhydrinate, dexamphetamine
- Prognosis
- Generally resolve within a day
- Frequency
- Nearly all people with sufficient motion; roughly one-third highly susceptible
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Motion sickness has been described since at least the time of Homer (c. eighth century BC). It can be divided into three categories: motion felt but not seen, motion seen but not felt, and motion detected by both systems but not corresponding. Carsickness, airsickness, and seasickness are common forms. In the early 20th century, Austro-Hungarian scientist Róbert Bárány observed 'railway nystagmus' in railroad passengers. Space motion sickness was effectively unknown during earliest spaceflights due to cramped conditions; the first case is thought to be Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov in August 1961 onboard Vostok 2. The first severe cases occurred in early Apollo flights, affecting Frank Borman on Apollo 8 and Rusty Schweickart on Apollo 9.
Reader's Guide
Motion sickness is a common condition affecting many people, with about one-third of the population being susceptible while others require extreme conditions. Women are more easily affected than men. Treatment includes behavioral measures such as keeping the head still and focusing on the horizon, and medications like antimuscarinics (scopolamine), H1 antihistamines (dimenhydrinate), and amphetamines (dexamphetamine), though side effects may limit use. Antiemetics such as ondansetron are not effective. Recent research shows virtual reality can be used therapeutically to reverse seasickness by aligning visual cues with body motion. The condition has been recognized since antiquity and continues to be relevant in modern travel and virtual environments. Its significance lies in its universal potential and the need for management strategies across various motion contexts.
Did You Know?
- About one-third of the population is susceptible to motion sickness.
- The first case of space motion sickness is thought to be Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov in August 1961.
- Antiemetics such as ondansetron are not effective for motion sickness.
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