Motion Sickness

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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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• Motion Sickness Overview
• Motion Sickness Causes
• Motion Sickness Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Motion Sickness Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Motion Sickness from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Motion Sickness - Symptoms

Motion Sickness Overview

Motion sickness (kinetosis) is the experience of unpleasant symptoms, predominantly nausea, during real or perceived motion. It is most commonly observed in boat travel (seasickness), although any type of travel or motion can induce motion sickness. Other examples of motion or travel sickness include car sickness and air sickness.

Motion sickness is considered to be a form of dizziness and can be induced in most normal individuals. It is not considered to be a specific disease state. Although motion sickness can be uncomfortable, it is typically not a sign of a serious problem unless prolonged vomiting leads to dehydration or electrolyte abnormalities.

Motion Sickness Causes

The cause of motion sickness is complex and not fully understood, but most experts believe that it arises due to conflicts in sensory input to the brain. The brain senses motion through different signaling pathways from the inner ear (sensing motion, acceleration, and gravity), the eyes (vision), and the deeper tissues of the body (proprioceptors). When the body moves involuntarily, such as when riding in a vehicle, there may be conflict among these different types of sensory input to the brain. The sensory apparatus in the inner ear seems to be most critical in the development of motion sickness.

Studies have shown that some people are more likely than others to experience motion sickness.

• Women are more sensitive to motion sickness than men, and pregnant women are especially at risk for motion sickness.
  
  
• Children are commonly affected. The peak incidence for the development of motion sickness is 12 years; infants and children under two are generally not affected.
  
  
• Persons who suffer from migraine headaches or conditions that interfere with sensory input (such as labyrinthitis) are at increased risk for motion sickness.