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Motion Sickness: Why Do Some People Feel Queasy on the Move?
Published: Aug 28, 2024
Motion sickness is a common condition that can make you feel ill when traveling. It happens when your brain gets confused by conflicting signals about movement from your eyes, inner ears, and body.
What Causes Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness occurs when there's a mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear senses. For example, if you're reading in a moving car, your eyes tell your brain you're still, but your inner ear detects motion. This conflict can trigger nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms. It's like your brain is getting mixed messages and doesn't know how to respond.
Who's Most Likely to Get Motion Sick?
Some people are more prone to motion sickness than others. Women, especially during pregnancy, tend to be more susceptible. Children between 2-12 years old are also more likely to experience it. Interestingly, people who get migraines are often more sensitive to motion sickness too. It's like having a lower threshold for these conflicting sensory signals.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
The most recognizable sign of motion sickness is nausea, which can progress to vomiting in severe cases. Other symptoms include feeling warm, sweating, pale skin, and a general sense of discomfort. Some people may also experience headaches or dizziness. It's like your body is rebelling against the movement it's experiencing.
When Motion Sickness Strikes
Motion sickness can occur in various situations, not just during car rides. It can happen on boats, planes, trains, or even while watching movies with a lot of motion. Some people even experience it on amusement park rides or in virtual reality environments. It's as if your brain can be tricked into feeling motion sick even when you're not actually moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
While there's no cure, symptoms can be managed with medication and prevention strategies.
Some special glasses claim to reduce motion sickness, but effectiveness varies.
There's evidence that susceptibility to motion sickness can be inherited.
Some people become less susceptible as they age, but it varies.
Almost anyone can get motion sick with enough provocation, but sensitivity varies.
The Bottom Line
While motion sickness can be unpleasant, understanding its causes and symptoms can help you manage it better.
References
- Oman CM. Motion sickness: a synthesis and evaluation of the sensory conflict theory. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1990; 68:294.
- Golding JF. Motion sickness. Handb Clin Neurol 2016; 137:371.
- Hromatka BS, Tung JY, Kiefer AK, et al. Genetic variants associated with motion sickness point to roles for inner ear development, neurological processes and glucose homeostasis. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:2700.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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