Many people have experienced situations in life where they have felt discomfort and dizziness in response to unfamiliar movement. This so-called motion dizziness or motion sickness is also known as kinetosis.
What is motion sickness?
Motion sickness is common and is often found in varying degrees during the course of travel to and from unfamiliar vehicles. The following is an overview of the definition, symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatment, and prevention of kinetosis. Kinetosis, or motion sickness, is thus generally defined as physical discomfort that can occur with unaccustomed movement on or in a vehicle, vibration in upper floors of tall buildings, or simulated movement through interactive images. The best-known form of kinetosis is seasickness, which can be triggered by the undulating motion of a ship in heavy seas. In this context, people who have had no problems with seasickness for years may also experience kinetosis later in life, while others remain immune to motion sickness throughout their lives. In more severe cases, however, kinetosis can also lead to cardiovascular problems that should be treated with caution, as in rare cases it can lead to death.
Causes
Motion sickness can occur when a conflict in the brain results from being unable to relate sensory input that has been taken in. The eyes and sense of balance send different perceptions and cause nausea. For example, while on a passenger ship movement is perceived but not visualized, in a car speed is only seen but not actively perceived. This form of passive motion, which can also be felt in skyscrapers or elevators, can cause kinetosis. Anxious and insecure people are more likely to complain of motion sickness; fear of flying and a negative attitude of expectation also affect susceptibility to motion sickness. Those who are frequently affected by migraines are also considered more susceptible to kinetosis.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Motion sickness can be expressed in varying degrees of severity. Symptoms can occur before and during a travel movement. Signs are particularly intense due to a sea voyage. In the preliminary stage of a voyage, sufferers experience the onset of nervousness, occasional malaise and a slight pressure in the stomach area. In addition, cold sweating and shivering may occur. Due to the unaccustomed movement with a means of transport, motion sickness (kinetosis) can manifest itself through a pale complexion and dizziness. These can develop into serious increasing circulatory problems. Typical signs of kinetosis are headaches, nausea and vomiting, which are particularly common problems during a rough sea voyage. The stomach and intestinal function is restricted. Heartburn may occur. Respiratory rapidity may increase, and sweating may become more frequent. In this condition, an accelerated heartbeat is noticeable. At the same time, blood pressure drops. In individual cases, sufferers feel particularly listless and almost apathetic. There is a general fatigue and listlessness. Other symptoms of motion sickness include excessive yawning, a sinking feeling in the stomach, and increased, almost compulsive swallowing. Sufferers speak less, react more slowly and appear disinterested. A lack of drive sets in. Another sign of motion sickness is loss of appetite. A symptom of motion sickness is also heart palpitations in severe cases. In addition to a pale complexion, there may also be marked redness of the face in individual cases.
Diagnosis and course
Motion sickness can always be diagnosed when the symptoms described above occur as a reaction to an unusual movement and suddenly and without physical causes. Those who rarely ride trains, fly, or travel by ferry may be affected by motion sickness each time they do so. Normally, kinetosis subsides after a few days in the case of long-distance travel on a ship or with habituation in the case of an unaccustomed living situation, regular flights or long car journeys.Motion sickness manifests itself in symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting or malaise, headache or pallor.
Complications
Motion sickness can cause a number of complications. First, the illness causes gastrointestinal distress – dehydration and deficiencies may occur. In the elderly, children, and those who are ill, excessive fluid loss can be life-threatening. Furthermore, motion sickness can lead to hyperventilation and shortness of breath. Accompanying this, blood pressure usually drops and the heartbeat accelerates. In rare cases, the disease leads to circulatory collapse. In general, there is a strong decrease in well-being – a symptom that can lead to problems in people with previous mental illnesses. Adverse events can also occur during treatment. The drug typically prescribed, scopolamine, often causes transient dry mouth, palpitations, and visual disturbances. Occasionally, drowsiness, lowering of blood pressure, and irritation of the eyelid occur after ingestion. Rarely, memory and concentration disorders, hallucinations, and balance disorders may occur, as well as occasional transient psychosis and acute glaucoma attacks. Similar side effects and interactions are conceivable after taking meclozine, dimenhydrinate and other drugs. If the affected person must be given intravenous fluids, infections, edema, and other symptoms may occasionally occur.
When should you see a doctor?
Motion sickness does not normally require medical treatment. The discomfort occurs in connection with movement or an internal experience of stress while traveling. In most cases, the inconsistencies are temporary and spontaneous recovery occurs. If symptoms occur regularly and are directly related to a trip, a doctor or therapist should be consulted in advance and in good time. There are various options that can be used before a trip. In addition, self-help measures can be applied to bring about an improvement in health. If severe health problems occur, a doctor is needed. Dizziness, vomiting, a pale appearance as well as diarrhea should be observed. If the symptoms increase or persist over a long period of time, they should be presented to a doctor. Listlessness, fatigue as well as changes in behavior are also signs of motion sickness. In severe cases, a doctor is needed. Disturbances in consciousness, sweating, as well as irregularities in memory are considered worrisome. A doctor is needed if there is no improvement or additional cardiovascular disorders develop. If the trip has to be cancelled or interrupted due to the complaints, this is an indication that should be followed up. Sleep disturbances, disorientation and apathy should be discussed with a physician.
Treatment and therapy
In acute symptoms caused by motion sickness, the patient is primarily advised to bring the out-of-balance impressions of the organs of equilibrium and vision back into harmony and to visualize the movement. In the car, looking out onto the road or a fixed point on the horizon is therefore a concrete help. Anyone who is susceptible to kinetosis when driving a car, train or bus should also sit as far forward as possible, where the vehicle sways the least and the movement is least. The risk of getting motion sickness is also higher in seats facing the opposite direction of travel. Enclosed ship cabins should also be avoided if kinetosis is present. The best view is through a window or onto the deck of the surrounding wave motion that underlies the nausea. In some cases, conscious relaxation and meditation can also counteract kinetosis. If no improvement can be achieved, the patient should be placed on his or her back; sleep, during which the sense of balance is not stimulated, is also optimal for alleviating the condition. Medicinal forms of treatment are controversial and should only be used if the symptoms could not be alleviated in any other way. In this case, a physician should be entrusted with the treatment of kinetosis, if necessary.
Prevention
Motion sickness in children may be prevented by postponing travel until nighttime, thus preventing sleep from interfering with possible symptoms.Those who are affected themselves should avoid stimulants such as coffee or alcohol the day before, as well as foods that are heavy on the stomach. Many people chewing gum or taking rusks or salty cookies evenly on the irritated stomach helps against kinetosis.
Follow-up
Because symptoms usually resolve on their own shortly after the triggering stimuli are gone, extensive follow-up care is not necessary. However, until symptoms have completely subsided, affected individuals should take it easy and avoid physical exertion. An adequate supply of fluids and nutrients generally contributes to rapid recovery and can thus support the body’s natural ability to regenerate. In addition to water, light meals with a high water content that do not put additional strain on the stomach are recommended. However, fatty foods, coffee and alcohol are not recommended. If motion sickness has been treated with medication or in some other way, any after-effects of the substances taken must also be taken into account. For example, some common preparations impair the ability to concentrate and cause fatigue. If patients experience these side effects or if the package insert contains corresponding information, they should refrain from driving until the effects have completely subsided. If motion sickness persists for several hours or days as a result of prolonged stress, special care is required when assessing the general condition. In particular, large fluid losses due to vomiting must be compensated for gradually in order to prevent circulatory problems. More extensive follow-up may also be necessary for patients with cardiovascular disease whose health values may be affected by the disease. In this case, monitoring of blood pressure or insulin levels is recommended.
What you can do yourself
Motion sickness is an annoying nuisance that is not uncommon. However, self-help is quite possible with this condition, especially if the disposition to it is already known in advance. Prevention and help in acute cases are accessible to self-help. Those who know that they suffer from motion sickness can prepare themselves specifically for journeys by car or ship as well as flights. Homeopathic agents are often helpful in this context and are available over-the-counter in drugstores or pharmacies. Attention should also be paid to diet. Food should not be heavy in the stomach, but a completely fasting state should also be avoided. Anyone looking outside should always do so through a front window. Sliding objects past side windows can increase motion sickness. Once motion sickness has set in, a break in the fresh air is often helpful. It is best combined with light exercise. If this is not possible on an airplane, for example, nausea can be relieved by herbal remedies. If vomiting occurs, replace lost fluids quickly if drinking is possible. Closing the eyes can reduce symptoms, which are often caused by looking outward. Often, stewardesses on airplanes also have the ability to offer a quiet seat to those affected by motion sickness.
