Motion sickness is a normal response to real, perceived, or even anticipated movement. People tend to get motion sickness on a moving boat, train, airplane, car, or amusement park rides. Although this condition is fairly common and often only a minor nuisance, it may be incapacitating for people who travel frequently -- although the more you travel, the more you get used to the motion.
The most common signs and symptoms of motion sickness include:
Motion sickness occurs when the body, the inner ear, and the eyes send conflicting signals to the brain. This most often happens when a person is in a moving vehicle such as a car, boat, or airplane, but it may also happen on flight simulators or amusement park rides. From inside a ship's cabin, the inner ear may sense rolling motions that the eyes cannot see, and, conversely, the eyes may see movement on a "virtual reality" simulation ride that the body does not feel. Interestingly, once a person gets used to the movement and the motion stops, symptoms may return (although usually only briefly). Sometimes just anticipating movement can cause anxiety and symptoms of motion sickness. For example, a person who had previously had motion sickness might become nauseous on an airplane before take-off.
The following are the most common risk factors for motion sickness:
Most people who have had motion sickness in the past ask their health care provider how to prevent it next time. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and find out what usually causes the problem (such as riding in a boat, flying in a plane, or driving in car). Laboratory tests are generally not necessary to establish a diagnosis of motion sickness.
There are several ways you can try to prevent motion sickness:
If you have motion sickness on a plane, try these tips:
If you have motion sickness on a boat, try these preventive measures:
You can use medication to control your symptoms, but people who travel often will want to learn to control -- and eventually prevent -- these symptoms. Mind-body practices, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and biofeedback, may help. Other alternatives to medication include homeopathy, acupuncture, dietary supplements, dietary changes, and physical exercise.
Medications for motion sickness may cause drowsiness and impair judgment. Pilots, ship crew members, or anyone operating heavy equipment or driving a car should not take them. The following medications may be helpful to people who experience motion sickness motion sickness occasionally:
People who are prone to motion sickness may want to eat small, frequent meals. A comprehensive treatment plan to treat motion sickness may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies. Ask your team of health care providers about the best ways to incorporate these therapies into your overall treatment plan. Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using.
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms and improve overall health:
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.
Some studies suggest that acupressure may help reduce symptoms of motion sickness in the same way as acupuncture, although the evidence is not clear. An acupressure practitioner works with the same points used in acupuncture, but stimulates these healing sites with finger pressure, rather than inserting fine needles.
The acupuncture point known as Pericardium 6, traditionally has been said to help relieve nausea. It is located on the inside of the wrist, about the length of 2 fingernails up the arm from the center of the wrist crease. Many travel stores sell wrist bands with built in buttons designed to apply acupressure to this point.
Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. A professional homeopath, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for motion sickness based on their knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person’s constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.
There are "combination" remedies that include these remedies together. Although a classically trained homeopath may frown upon such combinations, some find them easier and effective for home use.
Biofeedback Training and Relaxation
In a study of 55 pilots who had to stop flying due to motion sickness, 76% of them successfully overcame their motion sickness and were able to return to work after participating in a biofeedback training and relaxation program. The pilots were exposed to a situation causing motion sickness (sitting in a tilting, rotating chair) while biofeedback instruments recorded skin temperature and changes in muscle tension. While in the chair, the pilots used relaxation techniques, such as deep muscle relaxation and mental imagery. Over time, the pilots became used to the rotating chair and no longer felt sick as they learned to relax.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to lessen the anxiety that some people have just thinking about movement or motion sickness. In a study of 50 pilots who occasionally had motion sickness, 86% of them overcame their symptoms after cognitive behavioral therapy. During this therapy, people are exposed to a situation that causes motion sickness (such as a tilting, rotating chair) in a slow fashion until they experience some symptoms of motion sickness, but not until the symptoms become overwhelming. As they tolerate the movement more, they build confidence, reducing their anxiety.
Breathing Techniques
In a study of 46 people with motion sickness, those who took slow, deep breaths had a significant reduction in symptoms of motion sickness compared to those who breathed normally or counted their breaths. Involuntary rapid and shallow breathing often exacerbates symptoms of motion sickness. While it makes sense that slow, deliberate breathing would help reduce anxiety associated with motion sickness, more studies are needed to determine whether breathing techniques really help in reducing other symptoms.
Although motion sickness usually goes away after the motion stops and causes no lasting harm, it can be devastating for people whose jobs involve constant movement, such as a flight attendant, pilot, astronaut, or ship crew member.
People who don't travel often may get used to movement during a trip lasting several days. Even those who travel often may find that symptoms improve as they are frequently exposed to motion. However, people who become anxious before a journey often have worsened symptoms of motion sickness. They may need more formal interventions, such as biofeedback and relaxation training.
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