Motion Sickness
(Travel Sickness · Seasickness)
In this condition factsheet:
The Facts on Motion Sickness
Some people feel very sick while travelling in an airplane, boat, train, or car. They may feel queasy or nauseous or may vomit, and they may have a headache. This condition is called motion sickness.
Children are more susceptible to motion sickness than adults. More than half of children experience motion sickness when travelling by car ("carsickness"). Motion sickness is most commonly experienced when travelling by ship, with estimations that up to 100% of travellers experience "seasickness."
Motion sickness is more common amongst children between ages 3 and 12. Women experience motion sickness more than men. It also occurs more often in women during menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
Causes of Motion Sickness
When you are in a vehicle that moves continuously with relatively slow and prolonged motion, the organ of balance in your inner ear may be affected, causing motion sickness. Motion sickness is likely to happen if you are also worried about having an attack, if the air is stuffy or filled with fumes, or if you have just eaten a big meal. Looking at food can make motion sickness worse. People who suffer from migraines may also be more susceptible to motion sickness.
In motion sickness, a discrepancy exists between the motion that is expected to occur and the actual motion sensed by the organ of balance in the inner ear. These unexpected signals translate into a confused message by the brain, leading to the development of symptoms.
Generally, symptoms disappear once the brain adapts to the new pattern of motion. Two neurotransmitters (chemicals that relay messages to cells within the brain) – acetylcholine and dopamine – are thought to play an important role in causing motion sickness.
Symptoms and Complications of Motion Sickness
Mild motion sickness may cause a headache and make someone feel a little uncomfortable with mild nausea. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, and weakness. In severe cases, you may become very anxious, sweat or salivate a lot, become pale and nauseous, and start to vomit.
Symptoms of motion sickness usually go away after the motion has stopped but may take up to 3 days to completely resolve. There are no serious complications of motion sickness to worry about, unless vomiting continues to the point where you become dehydrated.
