What causes motion sickness?

Question

How do I prevent it and why do some get it and others don't?

Answer 1

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CAUSE
Motion sickness occurs when two "motion messages" to the brain conflict.
One "motion message" comes from the inner ear (a tiny structure located in the deeper part of ear which senses the body’s balance) and another "motion message" comes from the eyes.
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WHY DO SOME GET IT AND OTHERS DON'T?
It is due to the individual difference in adjusting to the motion messages (adaptation).
Some persons adapt rapidly; others require months.
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PREVENTION
Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Look outside the vehicle
Don’t read
Keep your head still, resting against a seat back.
Don't smoke or sit near smokers.
Avoid spicy foods and alcohol. Don't overeat.
Avoid dairy products.
Eat dry crackers or drink a carbonated beverage to help settle your stomach if you become ill.
Sit in front seat of car or drive rather than be a passenger.
Expose to cool, fresh air.
If recommended, medication should be taken 1 to 2 hours before travel.
Several non-prescription products are available for the prevention of motion sickness.
Stronger motion sickness medications may be prescribed by a physician if necessary.
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Answer 2

Motion sickness occurs when the body, the inner ear (a tiny structure involved in hearing and balance), and the eyes send conflicting signals to the brain. This reaction is generally provoked by a moving vehicle such as a car, boat, airplane, or space shuttle, but it may also happen on flight simulators or amusement park rides. From inside a ship's cabin, the inner ear may sense rolling motions that the eyes cannot perceive, and, conversely, the eyes may perceive movement on a "virtual reality" simulation ride that the body does not feel. Interestingly, once a person adapts to the movement and the motion stops, the symptoms may recur and cause the person to adjust all over again (although, this reaction is generally brief). In addition, even anticipating movement can cause anxiety and symptoms of motion sickness. For example, a person with a previous experience of motion sickness may become nauseous on an airplane before take-off.
The following are the most common risk factors for motion sickness:

Riding in a car, boat, airplane, or space shuttle
Age—children between the ages of 2 and 12 are most at risk; occurrence of motion sickness declines with age (this is probably due to behavioral changes and coping strategies rather than anything inherent in the aging process)
Susceptibility to nausea or vomiting
Heightened level of fear or anxiety
Exposure to unpleasant odors
Poor ventilation
Spending long hours at a computer screen
Being outside of the earth's gravitational

The following general measures may be taken to help avoid the discomfort caused by motion sickness:

Reduce anxiety and fears, particularly through methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and biofeedback
Use head rests to minimize head movements
Maintain proper ventilation to decrease foul odors that may cause nausea
Stay occupied to distract the mind from thinking about motion sickness; reading may worsen symptoms, however
Particular exercises, such as tumbling or jumping on a trampoline, may desensitize an individual prior to being in a situation that causes motion sickness



hope this helps :)

Answer 3

Dizziness, vertigo, and motion sickness all relate to the sense of balance and equilibrium. Researchers in space and aeronautical medicine call this sense spatial orientation, because it tells the brain where the body is "in space:" what direction it is pointing, what direction it is moving, and if it is turning or standing still.

Your sense of balance is maintained by a complex interaction of the following parts of the nervous system:

The inner ears (also called the labyrinth), which monitor the directions of motion, such as turning, or forward-backward, side-to-side, and up-and-down motions.
The eyes, which monitor where the body is in space (i.e. upside down, rightside up, etc.) and also directions of motion.
The skin pressure receptors such as in the joints and spine, which tell what part of the body is down and touching the ground.
The muscle and joint sensory receptors, which tell what parts of the body are moving.
The central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), which processes all the bits of information from the four other systems to make some coordinated sense out of it all.
The symptoms of motion sickness and dizziness appear when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from the other four systems.

Answer 4

Motion sickness is an exceedingly common disorder about which primary care physicians are likely to be consulted for advice and treatment. Appropriate management should be based on patient characteristics and the type and length of the exposure and should include general preventive recommendations and directed pharmacologic agents. Education for patients about the causes of motion sickness and how to prevent it can alleviate anxiety and enhance their enjoyment of travel and recreation.

Answer 5

It has to do with the equalibrium of your inner ear fluid. Some individuals have too little or too much fluid causing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. You could take dramamine, if you aren't allergic. It also helps when in a car or on a boat to maintain looking at the horizion in the direction the car or boat is going. Good luck!

Answer 6

some do if they spend enough time in the air or on a boat.. but its an inner ear thing and some just don't see ever to adapt. That is why dramamine is a big seller!

Answer 7

try the pressure wrist band or dramimiene if it doesnt make you too tired. as for the reason I dont know I have been fishing for years without incedent then all of a sudden one trip I GOT SICK AS A DOG and have been fine ever since.

Answer 8

Loss of equilibrium,conflicting signals from the eyes,ears and brain;some are more prone than others