Motion sickness

Motion sickness is a common condition provoked by transportation or visual motion.

Characterized by nausea/vomiting, possibly accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness or headache.

Controlled breathing is helpful during episodes.

Drug therapy includes antimuscarinics and antihistamines; however both may have significant adverse effects (notably drowsiness) and impede habituation (desensitization).

Habituation and cognitive behavioral therapy may be useful for people who must undergo repeated provocative motion (e.g., for their occupations).

Motion sickness is characterized by stomach discomfort, nausea, and vomiting, accompanied by autonomic features such as pallor and sweating. Vomiting often provides temporary or permanent relief of these symptoms. Once a certain level of nausea is attained, vomiting is almost inevitable, even if the patient is removed from the motion environment.[1]Stern RM, Koch KL, Andrews P. Nausea of motion sickness. In: Stern RM, Koch KL, Andrews P. Nausea: mechanisms and management. New York, NY: Oxford Press; 2011:331-353.[2]Benson AJ, Stott JR. Motion sickness. In: Rainford DJ, Gradwell DP. Ernsting's aviation medicine. 4th ed. London, UK: Hodder Arnold, Hodder Education; 2006:459-475.

The rate at which motion sickness develops varies with the intensity of motion. Nausea leading to vomiting may develop within a few minutes if the provocative motion stimulus is intense, whereas with moderately provocative motion the onset of nausea is delayed, and vomiting may not necessarily occur. If motion is sustained, as on a long sea voyage, most people develop some habituation and become less susceptible to motion sickness. Similarly, frequent short exposures to provocative motion lead to a protective habituation, although the ability to adapt is marked by substantial individual differences. With infrequent exposures the protective value of habituating experiences is lost, and the patient returns to baseline levels of susceptibility.[3]Hu S, Grant WF, Stern RM, et al. Motion sickness severity and physiological correlates during repeated exposures to a rotating optokinetic drum. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1991;62:308-314. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2031631?tool=bestpractice.com