Dr. M.J. Bazos, Patient Handout
MOTION SICKNESS

About Your Diagnosis
Motion sickness is an ill feeling caused by repetitive angular, linear, or vertical motion and is primarily characterized by nausea and vomiting. Seasickness, air-sickness, car-sickness, train-sickness, and swing-sickness are common forms. There are direct connections from the balance mechanism to the nausea/vomiting center in the brain, and with repetitive motion, fluid changes occur in your inner ear that may excessively stimulate your balance mechanism, causing a sensation of motion and nausea. This sensation generally resolves with or without treatment in 1–2 days.

Living With Your Diagnosis
Some individuals are more susceptible to motion sickness than others. Those individuals should minimize their exposure by choosing positions on ships or planes where there is the least motion (e.g., amidships, or in airplanes over the wings). A semireclined position with your head braced is best. The sensation of motion and symptoms of nausea and vomiting generally go away within 48 hours.

Treatment
As with many medical problems, prevention is easier than treatment. However, there are several overthe- counter and prescription medications that may be
used for motion sickness. Some medications help to prevent motion sickness from occurring, and others are for treating the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Consult your pharmacist and/or physician.

The DOs
• Take frequent sips of fluids. Stay with simple fluids such as water, clear soda, or simple sports drinks.
• If you are having repeated vomiting, only consume liquids.
• Take your medication as instructed while the symptoms are present.
• While in a vehicle (car, boat, or plane), lie back in the seat and take slow deep breaths.
• While in a boat or airplane, try to sit in an area with the least motion.
• Keep line of vision at 45 degrees above horizontal.

The DON’Ts
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and overeating.
• Avoid areas where individuals are smoking.
• While in the vehicle do not read or watch the horizon.

When to Call Your Doctor
• The symptoms do not improve after resting 48 hours.
• You continue to have vomiting and notice that you become faint or dizzy when you change positions suddenly.