What is motion sickness? How is it treated?
Do you experience nausea or sickness while travelling? Or you know anyone who feel the same? Well, the condition is called motion sickness which you experience while riding on a boat or ship and travelling by bus or car. This happens because, motion is sensed by the brain through different pathways of the nervous system including the inner ear, the eyes, and the tissues of the body surface, which doesn’t occur when the body is moved intentionally, like walking.
In this article, 3MEDS,
the best healthcare service provider in India, explains the causes of motion
causes along with some remedial methods.
Causes
of Motion Sickness
Basically, motion is sensed by the brain through
different pathways of the nervous system including inner ear, the eyes and the
tissues of the body surface. Conflicts among the senses, causes motion
sickness. For instance, when an individual is on a ride at the fair, and it’s
spinning around and upside down. The eyes see one thing, the muscles feel
another, and the inner ears sense something else. The brain can’t take in all
those mixed signals and result in the feeling of dizziness and sickness.
Symptoms
of Motion Sickness
Very primary and common symptom of motion sickness are
mild nausea and headache. Some of the serious symptoms are vomiting, pallor,
sweating, drooling, short breath, dizziness and drowsiness. Few other symptoms
include, sweating, general feeling of discomfort and not feeling well or
malaise. While, mild uneasiness and yawning are mild signs.
Diagnosis
of Motion Sickness
In most of the cases, motion sickness is self-
diagnosable. In case of serious complications, visit a physician specialised in
diseases of the ear, balance and nervous system. Doctor may enquire about the
symptoms and figure out the cause of the same. No laboratory tests are needed
to diagnose the condition of motion sickness.
Treating
Motion Sickness
Medications
1. Dimenhydrinate
(Dramamine)- This over-the-counter antihistamine, used to ease allergies, helps
with balance, too. The first dose should be taken about an hour before
traveling. More doses are taken every 4 to 6 hours.
2. Scopolamine
(Maldemar)- This is a prescription medication. Your wear a patch behind the
ear. You apply it 4 hours before needed. A dose lasts 3 days.
3. Some
of the other drugs include,
4. Cyclizine
including Marezine, Marzine and Emoquil
5. Meclizine
such as Antivert and Bonine
6. Promethazine
like Phenadoz, Phenergan and Promethegan
These medications can be bought at any online chemist shop.
Home care
1. Gazing
at the horizon- helps to re- orient the inner sense of
balance by providing a visual confirmation of motion. So, look out of the
window and look toward the horizon in the direction travel.
2. Take
a nap with eyes closed- cancels the input conflict between
the eyes and the inner ear
3. Chew
on something- has an uncanny effectiveness for easing
travel sickness especially while travelling by car
4. Let
in some fresh air- to relieve the feeling of travel
sickness
5. Gingery
effect- Some of the ginger products like tablet form or
fresh stem of ginger, can be taken to reduce motion sickness.
6. Go
for acupressure- can ease the symptoms of motion
sickness, by stimulating the healing sites with finger pressure.
Preventing
Motion Sickness
1. Always
sit is a position where there is least motion
2. Don’t
consume alcohol, dairy products, large meals or food, high in salt, protein or
calories while travelling
3. Distant
yourself from unpleasant odours that might trigger nausea.
4. Avoid
smoking
5. Don’t
look or stare out of the window, s the moving objects or scenery will worsen
the sickness.
Ending
note
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