6 Things You Didn't Know About Motion Sickness

Have you ever experienced motion sickness? With planes, trains, cars and more, it’s easy to get stuck in an uncomfortable situation. But there could be more behind the illness than you realize. From symptoms and causes to tips and tricks, here are six things you may not have known about motion sickness.

1. Some are More Susceptible

Motion sickness, referred to as kinetosis, occurs when the eyes, inner ears and other nerves responsible for sensing motion get confused, all sending different signals to the brain. These signals, called crosstalk, is what makes you feel dizzy and sick. Anyone will get sick if exposed to enough motion over a long period of time.

But studies have shown some people are more prone to kinetosis, the official term for motion sickness, than others. This typically includes women, migraine sufferers and young children between two and 12. Experts aren’t exactly sure why some possess this sensitivity to motion, by theories include that it runs in families or can be grown out of.

2. Medication Can Cause Sickness

That’s right. Motion sickness isn’t always caused by motion. Certain medications — both prescription and over the counter — have motion sickness as one of the known side effects.

The following medications have been shown to bring on symptoms of motion sickness:

• Levodopa: Used to treat Parkinson's disease.
• Fluoxetine: An antidepressant medication.
• Paroxetine: Used to treat depression and OCD.
• Digoxin: Used to treat heart failure.
• Estrogen: Used as a contraceptive.

Everyone reacts to medication differently, meaning not all people will experience the same effects from one medication. The severity of the reactions can also vary. If you believe your sensitivity to motion sickness is caused by medication, consult with your family doctor.

3. Symptoms Go Beyond Nausea

When we think of motion sickness, the first thing that comes to mind is stomach aches and vomiting. But it can also include a lot of other unfortunate symptoms. In fact, you can experience motion sickness without ever feeling nauseous.

Some of the other common symptoms associated with motion sickness include:

• Headaches
• Cold Sweats
• Dizziness
• Yawning
• Fatigue

These symptoms can vary, being more mild or severe from person to person. In extreme cases, motion sickness sufferers can be afflicted with sopite syndrome. This is a neurological disorder that causes extreme drowsiness accompanied by mood changes like apathy and depression.

4. Ginger Can Provide a Fix

When you experience motion sickness, you don’t have to sit by and do nothing. If you don’t feel like taking medication — or simply don’t have any on-hand — use ginger as a natural remedy. Studies have shown ginger tablets taken before and after travel can ease the common symptoms of motion sickness, like nausea.

Don’t have ginger tablets? No worries. Any food or beverage containing ginger will have the same medicinal effects. Look for a can of ginger ale to sip on. Or, you can also chew on a piece of ginger candy.

5. Verbal Placebos are Effective

Most people have heard of a placebo, an idea which convinces the body something fake is actually real. A verbal placebo is something anyone can use to prevent motion sickness. Studies have shown these types of placebos have more long-term positive results aiding motion sickness than medications.

A placebo treatment, like any other type of therapy or medication, will vary in effectiveness from person to person. Next time you plan to travel on a boat, plane or other vehicle, simply tell yourself, “I am not going to get sick this time.” You can also combine this self-talk with helpful deep-breathing techniques.

6. Another Illness Can Be At Play

An average case of motion sickness will go away as soon as the motion stops, or shortly after. But if the symptoms persist, especially when not moving, it could be a symptom of another illness.

Conditions which can cause motion sickness include:

• Meniere’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Blood Circulation Disorders
• Bacterial Infections
• Head Injuries

Some more serious conditions like stroke can also bring on feeling on motion sickness and should be treated by a medical professional immediately.

What to Know About Motion Sickness

There’s a lot more to motion sickness than getting nauseous during car rides. As an illness many are dealing with — it’s estimated one in three people are highly susceptible to motion sickness — there’s still plenty we don’t know, such as why it affects some more strongly than others. But if you suffer from nausea, vomiting or other symptoms while traveling, there are steps you can take to prevent illness and enjoy your ride.