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- $Unique_ID{BRK01216}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Causes Motion Sickness?}
- $Subject{travel motion sickness ill defined symptoms symptom travelers
- dizziness nausea vomiting pale clammy skin balance middle ear sense sight
- hearing touch senses nervous system traveler dizzy nauseated balances balanced
- senses}
- $Volume{N-23,F-1}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- What Causes Motion Sickness?
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- QUESTION: I have a very severe problem because I get so sick when ever I
- travel. The distress is so great that I am limited in my choice of vacations
- and can't even visit friends just a short distance away. What causes this
- terrible motion sickness, and what can I do to control it? I certainly need
- some help, and hope you will provide it.
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-
- ANSWER: Although not usually a serious medical problem, motion sickness is
- the most common complaint voiced by travelers. Its symptoms--dizziness with
- nausea, vomiting or pale clammy skin--are caused by an overstimulation of the
- balance organs in the middle ear. The sense organs (sight, hearing, and touch
- in particular) send messages to the brain whenever our balance is disturbed,
- either inside or from outside movements. If these messages come too fast or
- are mixed (your eyes see no motion but your body feels it) the brain gets
- overwhelmed and sickness results.
- To minimize motion sickness, try to avoid lengthy exposure to continuous,
- undulating, and rolling motion. Ride with your eyes fixed on a distant
- stationary object when possible, so your eyes will see the same motion that
- your body and inner ears feel. Do not read when traveling and do not sit
- facing backwards. Also avoid heavy, spicy foods that might upset your
- stomach. If you are planning a trip by plane, schedule a daytime flight, and
- book a window seat, so you have a distant horizon to gaze out upon. When
- these simple remedies fail, try some medications that can be recommended by
- your physician or pharmacist to alleviate the troublesome results of motion
- sickness. Follow directions carefully, for most of these medications should
- be used before the journey begins.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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