Symptoms, Causes and Treatments of Motion Sickness

Introduction

Simultaneously, motion sickness is a common condition that can affect anyone. Motion sickness can ruin what should be a joyful experience, by car, plane, boat, or amusement park rides. Knowledge of its symptoms, causes, and how to treat it can work to help it be better managed. Read more about the symptoms, causes, and doctors recommended treatments for motion sickness in this article.

1. What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness, travel sickness, or kinetosis is a condition in which the body and the eyes signal one thing and the inner ears another. Motion sickness happens when the signals coming from these sensory organs don’t match up, confusing the brain. Motion sickness occurs in all age groups but tends to be more common in children, women, and those who are prone to migraines.

2. Common Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Symptoms of motion sickness can be mild to severe, from just a little bit uncomfortable to extremely disabled. Here are the most common symptoms:

a. Nausea and vomiting

The most commonly heralded and sometimes the first symptom, motion sickness, is characterised by nausea. In the most severe cases, this can evolve into vomiting, which helps temporarily while the motion is present but leads to new problems shortly after when even small momentary lethargy or dizziness brings the need for relief.

b. Dizziness and lightheadedness 

It's a common symptom of a disconnect between what the inner ear sees and what the eyes see. It can even make one feel that the world is spinning, moving, or tilting.

c. Sweating 

Cold sweats, characterized by sudden perspiration, are often a precursor to nausea and indicate that the body is reacting to the mixed signals.

d. fatigue and weakness 

On a short trip, people who experience motion sickness may develop strange tiredness or weakness for no apparent reason.

e. Headaches

The other symptoms of motion sickness can include mild to severe headaches if dehydration or stress is contributing to the condition.

f. Pallor (Paleness) 

Another sign that a person is trying to force their body to process a sensory mismatch might be visible soft white her ease due to motion sickness.

g. Increased Salivation

Symptoms that typically occur just prior to nausea and vomiting include increased salivation.

3. Causes of Motion Sickness

Knowing the reasons for getting motion sick can lead to finding treatments for preventing and managing it.

Here’s a breakdown of the primary causes:

a. Sensory Conflict Theory

The most accepted explanation of motion sickness is sensory conflict theory. This happens when what the inner ear picks up is different than what the eyes see and what the body feels. For example:

In a moving car: 

Your inner ear detects motion, and your eyes don't because you are looking at your phone or reading.

On a boat: 

For those below deck (and for your body, if you’re out on the waves), the motion leads the brain to confusion, for your body is only feeling the motion and your eyes are only seeing a stationary cabin.

b. Motion Sensitivity

Depending on a person, they will naturally be more or less sensitive to motion. It may be due to genetic differences in how sensitive the inner ear is or a heightened brain response to conflicting sensory input.

c. Hormonal changes

Motion sickness is also more common among women, during or after menstruation, pregnancy, or when taking hormonal contraceptives. More usually, hormonal changes will make the inner ear more sensitive, causing more pronounced symptoms.

d. psychological factors

Symptoms of motion sickness may worsen with anxiety and stress. If you think you might be sick before you travel, it can make you anxious, which can lead to or worsen your condition.

e. Medical Conditions

A predisposition to motion sickness is associated with certain medical conditions, including migraines, vestibular disorders, and infections in the inner ear. For example, people with a history of migraines may have an overly sensitive vestibular system and would consequently be at a higher risk of motion sickness.

4. Motion Sickness Treatments and Remedies

There is no one solution for motion sickness,'' although a number of treatments and remedies can substantially reduce, or even eliminate, symptoms. They fall into behavioural, natural, and medical treatments.

a. Behavioural Strategies

I. Positioning Matters 

Choosing the right position while travelling can make a huge difference. In a car: Sit in the front seat and watch the horizon. On a boat: Better stay on the deck and look at the horizon. In an aeroplane: And choose a seat over the wings, where the motion is least noticeable.

II. Avoid reading or screens. 

Try to avoid focusing on something stationary with your eyes and then moving your body at the same time (i.e., reading, looking at your phone).

III. Keep Fresh Air Circulating

Symptoms such as dizziness and nausea can be eased by opening a window or turning on a fan that is helping to circulate the air.

IV. Stay Hydrated and Eat Lightly

Motion sickness is worsened by dehydration. Small sips of water should be your source of hydration when you are travelling, and eat lighter and less greasy foods before you and during your flights.

b. natural remedies

1. Ginger: 

Among the most often recommended natural remedies for motion sickness, ginger is one. Raw ginger, capsule form, tea... all can be consumed. Ginger has been shown to cut nausea and vomiting in studies.

2. Peppermint 

The soothing effects of peppermint oil can work both externally by being inhaled or internally as an aid to calm the stomach and alleviate symptoms of nausea.

3. Acupressure 

One good way to settle nausea is with acupressure bands that apply pressure to your wrist's P6 point. Wearing one of these can help ease symptoms while you’re traveling.

4. Aromatherapy 

Lavender and lemon have calming properties that might help fight nausea and stress on travel.

c. medical treatments

I. Over-the-Counter Medications Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine): 

An everyday OTC medication to help prevent nausea and dizziness. It can, however, make some people drowsy. Meclizine: Another useful OTC that can be less sedative than dimenhydrinate.

II. Prescription medications 

For more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe stronger medications such as:Scopolamine patches: Worn behind the ear, they release medication slowly so that it prevents nausea and vomiting.Promethazine: Oral or rectal prescription antihistamine.

III. Antihistamines 

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is commonly used for allergies, but it can work to fight motion sickness too.

IV. Benzodiazepines 

In cases where anxiety plays a significant role, a doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, which help calm the nervous system and reduce nausea.

5. Long-Term Management and Lifestyle

a. Build tolerance

The more exposure you have to it, the more tolerance you will build. This is just an example: You could, for instance, slowly extend the duration of travel or spend time doing something that requires motion (like training on a simulator) to allow the brain to become less sensitive to it.

b. Try practicing relaxation techniques.

Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness can relax you and lower stress and anxiety that can fuel or exacerbate symptoms.

c. Maintain Good Posture

Upright position helps your body to balance, and it sends clearer signals to the brain.

d. Adjust Your Diet

Before travelling, try to avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can dehydrate the body and make motion sickness symptoms worse.

6. When to See a Doctor 

If motion sickness is a problem of such frequency and severity that it interferes with your quality of life, it’s time to see a health provider. By ruling out other possible causes (i.e., vestibular disorders), they can also recommend other more specialised treatment options.

Conclusion

although motion sickness can be an unpleasant and troublesome condition, knowledge of the causes of this condition and learning how to treat symptoms wisely allows it to have less impact. There's plenty of options available to make travel more enjoyable, from natural remedies such as ginger and acupressure all the way up to behavioural strategies and medications. If you or a friend could use some help with motion sickness, these tips will help you.