Seasickness

Christopher Hobbs:

“Seasickness is a type of motion sickness that results from the movement of the water.”

Etiologic and Other Factors Leading to Seasickness:

• Cause: Seasickness occurs due to a mismatch between visual and inner ear signals related to motion. Your eyes may perceive a stable environment (e.g., inside a cabin), while your inner ear senses movement, leading to sensory conflict.
• Other Factors:
  • Poor hydration or fatigue
  • Anxiety or emotional stress
  • Lack of acclimation to motion
  • Predisposing conditions like migraines or a family history of motion sickness
  • Certain medications that disrupt equilibrium or inner ear function

When to Seek Professional Help:

• Symptoms to Look Out For:
  • Severe, persistent vomiting leading to dehydration
  • Dizziness or confusion unrelated to motion
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms
  • Symptoms that continue even after leaving the moving environment
  • Unusual symptoms like severe headache, visual changes, or loss of balance, which could indicate a more serious condition like vestibular neuritis or an inner ear infection