Motion sickness

Christopher Hobbs:

“Motion sickness, with nausea and vomiting, is common when traveling by boat or car and can be aggravated by reading or eating.”

Etiologic and Other Factors Leading to Slow Motion Sickness

Slow motion sickness, or a delayed form of motion sickness, often arises due to conflicts between sensory inputs—such as the inner ear (vestibular system), eyes, and proprioceptive signals (body’s position sense). Common factors include:

• Vestibular Dysfunction: An inner ear imbalance or sensitivity, possibly from infections, aging, or underlying conditions.
• Visual Triggers: Prolonged exposure to repetitive motion (e.g., watching waves, driving, or screen scrolling).
• Stress or Fatigue: Physical or emotional stress can lower tolerance to motion.
• Certain Medications: Drugs that affect balance or the nervous system may increase susceptibility.
• Lack of Acclimatization: Unfamiliar environments or motion patterns, like traveling by boat or plane, can trigger symptoms.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider consulting a healthcare professional if you notice:

• Persistent or worsening symptoms that don’t resolve with rest or home remedies.
• Symptoms accompanied by severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting.
• Signs of an underlying issue, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or chronic vertigo.
• Difficulty performing daily activities due to symptoms.