Motion Sickness Disease

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Not a true sickness but a normal response to an abnormal situation in which there is a sensory conflict about body motion between the visual receptors, vestibular receptors and body proprioceptors. It can also be induced when patterns of motion differ from those previously experienced.

System(s) affected: Nervous
Genetics: N/A
Incidence/Prevalence in USA: N/A
Predominant age: N/A
Predominant sex: N/A

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Nausea
Vomiting
Diaphoresis
Pallor
Hypersalivation
Yawning
Hyperventilation
Anxiety
Panic
Malaise
Fatigue
Weakness
Confusion

CAUSES

Motion (auto, plane, boat, amusement rides)

RISK FACTORS

Travel
Visual stimuli (i.e. moving horizon)
Poor ventilation (fumes, smoke, carbon monoxide)
Emotions (fear, anxiety)
Zero gravity
Other illness or poor health

DIAGNOSIS

LABORATORY

N/A

Drugs that may alter lab results: N/A
Disorders that may alter lab results: N/A

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

N/A

SPECIAL TESTS

N/A

IMAGING

N/A

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

N/A

TREATMENT

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

Remove triggers or noxious stimuli

GENERAL MEASURES

Minimize exposure (seat in middle of plane or boat)
Improve ventilation

SURGICAL MEASURES

N/A

ACTIVITY

Semi-recumbent seating
Fix vision at 45 degree angle above horizon
Avoid fixation of vision on moving objects (i.e., waves)
Avoid reading

DIET

Decrease oral intake or take frequent small feedings
Avoid alcohol

PATIENT EDUCATION

N/A

FOLLOW UP

PREVENTION/AVOIDANCE

Minimize exposure (seat in middle of plane or boat)
Improve ventilation
Semi-recumbent seating
Fix vision at 45 degree angle above horizon
Avoid fixation of vision on moving objects (i.e., waves)
Avoid reading
Minimize food intake prior to travel

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Hypotension
Dehydration
Depression
Panic

EXPECTED COURSE AND PROGNOSIS

Symptoms should resolve when motion exposure ends
Resistance to motion sickness seems to increase with age

MISCELLANEOUS

ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

N/A

AGE-RELATED FACTORS

Pediatric: Children more susceptible to motion sickness
Geriatric: Age confers some resistance to motion sickness
Others: N/A

PREGNANCY

N/A

OTHER NOTES

N/A

ABBREVIATIONS

N/A

Clinical Investigations

ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY

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