AHF 2203

Puan Rosdalila Roslan

Motion sickness is a very common disturbance of

the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion

such as from the swell of the sea, the movement
of a car, the motion of a plane in turbulent air,
etc.

In the inner ear, motion sickness affects the sense

of balance and equilibrium and, hence, the sense

of spatial orientation.

Motion is sensed by the brain through three

different pathways of the nervous system that

send signals coming from the inner ear (sensing
motion, acceleration, and gravity), the eyes
(vision), and the deeper tissues of the body
surface (proprioceptors).

When there is unintentional movement of the

body, as occurs, the brain is not coordinating the

input, and there is thought to be discoordination
or conflict among the input from the three
pathways.
It is hypothesized that the conflict among the

inputs is responsible for motion sickness.

Without the motion-sensing organs of the inner

ear, motion sickness does not occur, suggesting

that the inner ear is critical for the development of
motion sickness.
Motion sickness is more likely to occur with

complex types of movement, especially

movement that is slow or involves two different
directions (for example, vertical and horizontal) at
the same time.

Inner Ear Motion-Sensing

Organ

The symptoms of motion sickness include:

nausea,
Paleness of the skin
Cold sweats
Vomiting
Dizziness
Headache
Increased salivation
Fatigue
Other common signs are sweating and a general
feeling of discomfort and not feeling well.

 Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that

your body and inner ears feel.

In a car, sit in the front seat and look at the distant scenery.
On a boat, go up on the deck and watch the motion of the
horizon.
In an airplane, sit by the window and look outside.
Also, in a plane, choose a seat over the wings where the
motion is minimized.
Do not read while traveling if you are subject to motion

sickness, and do not sit in a seat facing backward.

Do not watch or talk to another traveler who is having motion

sickness.

 Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods that do not

agree with you (immediately before and during your travel).

Take one of the varieties of motion sickness medicines

before your travel begins, as recommended by your

physician.
Eat light meals or snacks that are low in calories in the 24

hours before air travel.

Avoid salty foods and dairy products before air travel.
Turn the air vent flow toward your face.

Antihistamine medications are commonly used in the

prevention and treatment of motion sickness. These

medicines seem to prevent and treat the nausea,
vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness by
calming the stimulation of the inner ear.
Another class of medications used to prevent motion

sickness is represented by the scopolamine skin patch

(Transderm Scop). This medicated skin patch is applied
behind the ear at least four hours in advance of the
motion activity. The medication is slowly absorbed
directly into the underlying skin.

 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. 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

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.

Common risk factors for motion sickness:

Riding in a car, boat, airplane, or space shuttle
Children ages 2 - 12 are most likely to get motion sickness.
Susceptibility to nausea or vomiting
Heightened level of fear or anxiety
Poor ventilation in the vehicle
Sitting in the back seat or where you cannot see out the

window