21 Motion Sickness Remedies: Natural, Medication, and More

You can do things that may help relieve motion sickness immediately, like looking out to the horizon. Some long-term solutions, including medications and vitamins, may also help.

Any travel — automobile, plane, train, or ship — may suddenly bring on motion sickness. Motion sickness can cause symptoms ranging from mild nausea to dizziness, sweating, and vomiting.

Before starting any new medication or supplement, you should check with a doctor. Some may interact with your current medication or underlying conditions.

Changing positions or distracting yourself when you first notice motion sickness may help ease your symptoms before they become severe. The following are some tips that may provide you with some immediate relief.

Take control

If you’re a passenger, consider taking the wheel of the vehicle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that motion sickness occurs when the movement your eyes see is different from the movement your inner ear senses. These senses may connect better if you’re driving the car, reducing your symptoms.

Face the direction you’re going

If driving isn’t an option, face the direction in which you’re traveling. Again, it may help disconnect your visual sense and inner ear. On a ferry, try moving from the stern (rear) to the bow (front) of the boat. Some people report sitting in the front seat reduces symptoms. In a car, consider swapping the rear seats with someone in front.

Keep your eyes on the horizon

You may also find that focusing on a stationary object in the distance helps with visual stimulus. Again, you may need to switch or move positions in the vehicle you are traveling in.

Change positions

Some people find that lying down makes their motion sickness better. For others, standing up may be a better position. Your options will depend on your type of travel, so experiment to see what works best for you.

If you’re in a car, leaning your head against your headrest may help by lessening your head movements. In other words, you may need to experiment a bit to find the best position for you.

Get some air (fan or outdoors)

You may find that opening a window or going outdoors may help with motion sickness. If the weather or your mode of travel doesn’t permit, turn the air vents toward you or consider using a fan to blow air on your face.

Nibble on crackers

Eating a light snack, like saltine crackers, may ease nausea. Foods that are heavy, greasy, or acidic may make your sickness worse because they’re slow to digest. You may want to pack your own snacks, which could include easy-to-digest foods like:

• cereal
• bread
• other grains
• apples
• bananas

Drink some water or a carbonated beverage

Sips of cold water or a carbonated drink, like seltzer or ginger ale, may also help curb your nausea. Skip caffeinated beverages, like coffee and certain sodas, which may contribute to dehydration that can make nausea worse. Other good choices can include milk and apple juice.

Distract with music or conversation

Switch on the radio or start a conversation to keep your mind off how you’re feeling. You may be able to distract yourself enough to feel better.

In a 2022 meta-analysis, researchers concluded that listening to music can help with post-operative vomiting, though they found little effect on nausea itself. Still, it is possible that listening to music may help a person prevent vomiting during their travels.

Put down the screen

People with motion sickness may have trouble reading books or texts on different devices. This happens due to the sensory disconnect between the inner ear and the eyes. So, if you’re focusing on something up close, you may make your symptoms worse

This can be particularly bad for video gamers or people trying out Virtual Reality (VR) technology. You may find that taking a break from the activity or switching to audiobooks, music, or napping can help.

A variety of natural treatments may also help you stop motion sickness. Remember: always ask a doctor for guidance on supplement use and dosage before starting.

Pressure points

Stimulating an acupressure point along your wrist called the Nei Guan (P6) may give you quick relief. Place the index, middle, and ring fingers of your right hand on the inside of your left wrist, starting under the crease.

Your Nei Guan point is underneath your index finger, between the wrist tendons. Apply firm pressure on one or both wrists for a few seconds or until the symptoms pass.

There are other acupressure points that you can stimulate to help relieve nausea or vomiting. Learn more about 7 Pressure points for nausea.

Aromatherapy

Certain scents, like pure peppermint essential oil, may also be helpful. A 2016 study found that exposing people to peppermint’s scent helped reduce post-operative nausea.

There are many ways to use oils, but inhalation has the lowest interaction risk, though experts recommend diffusing for one hour or less to minimize any potential risks. Inhaling a high amount of essential oils for longer than an hour could, in theory, cause nausea.

You may find that taking sniffs from an essential oil bottle or using an essential oil necklace is more convenient in a moving vehicle.

Try natural remedies

Herbs like ginger and chamomile both have research to support their use for motion sickness and nausea.

You can often find these supplements at a local pharmacy, health food store, or online. You may find that brewing tea with these herbs may help settle your stomach.

Licorice root lozenges

People use licorice root to soothe stomach ulcer pain, stomach acid irritation, and indigestion. It may also help ward off nausea and vomiting. Experts do not know how much it helps because many supplements contain additional ingredients that may also play a role in reducing nausea.

You may purchase lozenges in a pharmacy or online. The serving size will depend on the brand you purchase.

If these self-care measures don’t work, you may want to consider trying medical options available at your local drugstore. You can find medications in both over-the-counter and prescription forms.

OTC antihistamines

Antihistamines typically help with allergies. However, you may find that using OTC drugs containing dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or meclizine (Antivert) may help.

Children over the age of 2 can often safely take dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine, but you should speak with a doctor about their dosage.

You may become drowsy while taking antihistamines, so you may not want to take them if you plan to drive.

Scopolamine

Scopolamine (Transderm Scop, Scopace, Maldemar) is a prescription medication that comes in either a pill or as a skin patch. You apply the patch behind the ear for several days. However, you may notice some side effects, such as a dry mouth.

People with glaucoma or other health issues should discuss this treatment with a doctor since it may not be an option in certain cases.

Children, pregnant or nursing people, people with liver or kidney problems, or older adults should consult with their doctor due to the risk of serious side effects. There have been rare cases of lethal toxicity in children.

Promethazine

Promethazine is a prescription antihistamine drug used to treat motion sickness. It helps reduce the signals from your brain that cause you to vomit.

The dosage for adults under 65 is 25 milligrams (mg) twice daily, with the first dose 30 minutes to one hour before travel. Children between 2 and 17 years may take between 12.5 and 25 mg twice daily.

Speak with the child’s doctor if they have any medical conditions to ensure no interaction with any medication.

People who travel often for work and others who experience more severe motion sickness may want to investigate long-term solutions, like supplementation or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Take vitamin B-6

Doctors may recommend using vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, among other conditions, like anxiety.

Boosting your levels may also help with motion sickness, though more research is needed in this area.

Take 5-HTP + magnesium

According to an older 2005 study, low serotonin levels in the brain may be linked to motion sickness and migraine. Headaches may be related to the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

The supplements 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and magnesiummay help raise serotonin. In a large meta-analysis, researchers found high quality evidence for giving magnesium to patients having spinal surgery in order to reduce the side effects of nausea and vomiting.

Another 2019 study found that 5-HTP given to patients before elective surgery significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting and the serotonin levels in their brains. This is more evidence that serotonin can cause nausea and vomiting.

You can find these supplements alone or in combination at drug stores or online at retailers like Amazon. Seeing results with this treatment may take some time.

Speak with a doctor before using these supplements to relieve nausea and vomiting. Taking too much 5-HTP can also cause nausea and be dangerous at high levels. Taking too much magnesium can cause you to feel sleepy and have difficulty breathing.

Invest in acupressure bands

Wearing an acupressure band can help relieve nausea. People have been wearing acupressure bands for this purpose for centuries.

This practice has few side effects and little potential harm, so doctors often recommend it to relieve motion sickness or nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Acupressure bands are also one of the approaches to deal with motion sickness in air patient transport for both the patient and the crew.

These acupressure bands are often called sea bands. They’re applied to the p6 Nei-Guan point. However, more research is needed to verify and understand the effectiveness of acupressure bands.

Biofeedback therapy

Biofeedback therapy uses your thoughts to control physical responses to stimuli like motion.

People with vestibular disorders that cause dizziness, vomiting, and nausea may benefit from biofeedback. It is also recommended by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a way to relieve motion sickness.

With biofeedback, you can learn to respond to early signs of nausea with breathing, relaxation, and focus exercises. A biofeedback machine can show you how you progress,

To use this therapy, a therapist connects sensors to different body parts to measure things like heart or respiration rate. You then work with the therapist to control your responses.

This therapy is less commonly used in primary care, but you can ask your doctor for a referral or search the BCIA directory for certified therapists.

Your symptoms should subside when the motion stops. Motion sickness doesn’t lead to long-term complications. You may even get used to motion on a longer journey, like a cruise, after several days.

If your job requires frequent travel, or if the potential for being sick makes you anxious before trips, make an appointment with a doctor. Prescription medications or long-term options may help you overcome motion sickness.

The following sections provide answers to your frequently asked questions about motion sickness.

Is motion sickness psychological?

Motion sickness is not psychological. Experts suggest it occurs when what you see does not match what your inner ear is feeling. However, some experts suggest that psychology could play a role in motion sickness. The theory is that previous sickness may trigger memories and possibly worse responses.

Can you train yourself not to be motion sick?

According to a 2021 study, you may be able to train your mind to no longer become motion sick. However, additional studies are needed to fully prove the effectiveness of training the mind to stop motion sickness.

Motion sickness is an acute issue that occurs in some people when traveling. It can occur in cars, boats, planes, or any moving vehicle.

You can take steps to help alleviate your nausea and prevent vomiting. Solutions can include taking over-the-counter or prescription medications, using pressure points, focusing on a fixed point, and other methods.

If natural solutions do not work, you may want to talk with a doctor about your symptoms. They may be able to recommend additional therapies or prescribe medication to help

21 Motion Sickness Remedies: Natural, Medication, and More

You can do things that may help relieve motion sickness immediately, like looking out to the horizon. Some long-term solutions, including medications and vitamins, may also help.

Any travel — automobile, plane, train, or ship — may suddenly bring on motion sickness. Motion sickness can cause symptoms ranging from mild nausea to dizziness, sweating, and vomiting.

Before starting any new medication or supplement, you should check with a doctor. Some may interact with your current medication or underlying conditions.

Changing positions or distracting yourself when you first notice motion sickness may help ease your symptoms before they become severe. The following are some tips that may provide you with some immediate relief.

Take control

If you’re a passenger, consider taking the wheel of the vehicle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that motion sickness occurs when the movement your eyes see is different from the movement your inner ear senses. These senses may connect better if you’re driving the car, reducing your symptoms.

Face the direction you’re going

If driving isn’t an option, face the direction in which you’re traveling. Again, it may help disconnect your visual sense and inner ear. On a ferry, try moving from the stern (rear) to the bow (front) of the boat. Some people report sitting in the front seat reduces symptoms. In a car, consider swapping the rear seats with someone in front.

Keep your eyes on the horizon

You may also find that focusing on a stationary object in the distance helps with visual stimulus. Again, you may need to switch or move positions in the vehicle you are traveling in.

Change positions

Some people find that lying down makes their motion sickness better. For others, standing up may be a better position. Your options will depend on your type of travel, so experiment to see what works best for you.

If you’re in a car, leaning your head against your headrest may help by lessening your head movements. In other words, you may need to experiment a bit to find the best position for you.

Get some air (fan or outdoors)

You may find that opening a window or going outdoors may help with motion sickness. If the weather or your mode of travel doesn’t permit, turn the air vents toward you or consider using a fan to blow air on your face.

Nibble on crackers

Eating a light snack, like saltine crackers, may ease nausea. Foods that are heavy, greasy, or acidic may make your sickness worse because they’re slow to digest. You may want to pack your own snacks, which could include easy-to-digest foods like:

• cereal
• bread
• other grains
• apples
• bananas

Drink some water or a carbonated beverage

Sips of cold water or a carbonated drink, like seltzer or ginger ale, may also help curb your nausea. Skip caffeinated beverages, like coffee and certain sodas, which may contribute to dehydration that can make nausea worse. Other good choices can include milk and apple juice.

Distract with music or conversation

Switch on the radio or start a conversation to keep your mind off how you’re feeling. You may be able to distract yourself enough to feel better.

In a 2022 meta-analysis, researchers concluded that listening to music can help with post-operative vomiting, though they found little effect on nausea itself. Still, it is possible that listening to music may help a person prevent vomiting during their travels.

Put down the screen

People with motion sickness may have trouble reading books or texts on different devices. This happens due to the sensory disconnect between the inner ear and the eyes. So, if you’re focusing on something up close, you may make your symptoms worse

This can be particularly bad for video gamers or people trying out Virtual Reality (VR) technology. You may find that taking a break from the activity or switching to audiobooks, music, or napping can help.

A variety of natural treatments may also help you stop motion sickness. Remember: always ask a doctor for guidance on supplement use and dosage before starting.

Pressure points

Stimulating an acupressure point along your wrist called the Nei Guan (P6) may give you quick relief. Place the index, middle, and ring fingers of your right hand on the inside of your left wrist, starting under the crease.

Your Nei Guan point is underneath your index finger, between the wrist tendons. Apply firm pressure on one or both wrists for a few seconds or until the symptoms pass.

There are other acupressure points that you can stimulate to help relieve nausea or vomiting. Learn more about 7 Pressure points for nausea.

Aromatherapy

Certain scents, like pure peppermint essential oil, may also be helpful. A 2016 study found that exposing people to peppermint’s scent helped reduce post-operative nausea.

There are many ways to use oils, but inhalation has the lowest interaction risk, though experts recommend diffusing for one hour or less to minimize any potential risks. Inhaling a high amount of essential oils for longer than an hour could, in theory, cause nausea.

You may find that taking sniffs from an essential oil bottle or using an essential oil necklace is more convenient in a moving vehicle.

Try natural remedies

Herbs like ginger and chamomile both have research to support their use for motion sickness and nausea.

You can often find these supplements at a local pharmacy, health food store, or online. You may find that brewing tea with these herbs may help settle your stomach.

Licorice root lozenges

People use licorice root to soothe stomach ulcer pain, stomach acid irritation, and indigestion. It may also help ward off nausea and vomiting. Experts do not know how much it helps because many supplements contain additional ingredients that may also play a role in reducing nausea.

You may purchase lozenges in a pharmacy or online. The serving size will depend on the brand you purchase.

If these self-care measures don’t work, you may want to consider trying medical options available at your local drugstore. You can find medications in both over-the-counter and prescription forms.

OTC antihistamines

Antihistamines typically help with allergies. However, you may find that using OTC drugs containing dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or meclizine (Antivert) may help.

Children over the age of 2 can often safely take dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine, but you should speak with a doctor about their dosage.

You may become drowsy while taking antihistamines, so you may not want to take them if you plan to drive.

Scopolamine

Scopolamine (Transderm Scop, Scopace, Maldemar) is a prescription medication that comes in either a pill or as a skin patch. You apply the patch behind the ear for several days. However, you may notice some side effects, such as a dry mouth.

People with glaucoma or other health issues should discuss this treatment with a doctor since it may not be an option in certain cases.

Children, pregnant or nursing people, people with liver or kidney problems, or older adults should consult with their doctor due to the risk of serious side effects. There have been rare cases of lethal toxicity in children.

Promethazine

Promethazine is a prescription antihistamine drug used to treat motion sickness. It helps reduce the signals from your brain that cause you to vomit.

The dosage for adults under 65 is 25 milligrams (mg) twice daily, with the first dose 30 minutes to one hour before travel. Children between 2 and 17 years may take between 12.5 and 25 mg twice daily.

Speak with the child’s doctor if they have any medical conditions to ensure no interaction with any medication.

People who travel often for work and others who experience more severe motion sickness may want to investigate long-term solutions, like supplementation or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Take vitamin B-6

Doctors may recommend using vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, among other conditions, like anxiety.

Boosting your levels may also help with motion sickness, though more research is needed in this area.

Take 5-HTP + magnesium

According to an older 2005 study, low serotonin levels in the brain may be linked to motion sickness and migraine. Headaches may be related to the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

The supplements 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and magnesiummay help raise serotonin. In a large meta-analysis, researchers found high quality evidence for giving magnesium to patients having spinal surgery in order to reduce the side effects of nausea and vomiting.

Another 2019 study found that 5-HTP given to patients before elective surgery significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting and the serotonin levels in their brains. This is more evidence that serotonin can cause nausea and vomiting.

You can find these supplements alone or in combination at drug stores or online at retailers like Amazon. Seeing results with this treatment may take some time.

Speak with a doctor before using these supplements to relieve nausea and vomiting. Taking too much 5-HTP can also cause nausea and be dangerous at high levels. Taking too much magnesium can cause you to feel sleepy and have difficulty breathing.

Invest in acupressure bands

Wearing an acupressure band can help relieve nausea. People have been wearing acupressure bands for this purpose for centuries.

This practice has few side effects and little potential harm, so doctors often recommend it to relieve motion sickness or nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Acupressure bands are also one of the approaches to deal with motion sickness in air patient transport for both the patient and the crew.

These acupressure bands are often called sea bands. They’re applied to the p6 Nei-Guan point. However, more research is needed to verify and understand the effectiveness of acupressure bands.

Biofeedback therapy

Biofeedback therapy uses your thoughts to control physical responses to stimuli like motion.

People with vestibular disorders that cause dizziness, vomiting, and nausea may benefit from biofeedback. It is also recommended by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a way to relieve motion sickness.

With biofeedback, you can learn to respond to early signs of nausea with breathing, relaxation, and focus exercises. A biofeedback machine can show you how you progress,

To use this therapy, a therapist connects sensors to different body parts to measure things like heart or respiration rate. You then work with the therapist to control your responses.

This therapy is less commonly used in primary care, but you can ask your doctor for a referral or search the BCIA directory for certified therapists.

Your symptoms should subside when the motion stops. Motion sickness doesn’t lead to long-term complications. You may even get used to motion on a longer journey, like a cruise, after several days.

If your job requires frequent travel, or if the potential for being sick makes you anxious before trips, make an appointment with a doctor. Prescription medications or long-term options may help you overcome motion sickness.

The following sections provide answers to your frequently asked questions about motion sickness.

Is motion sickness psychological?

Motion sickness is not psychological. Experts suggest it occurs when what you see does not match what your inner ear is feeling. However, some experts suggest that psychology could play a role in motion sickness. The theory is that previous sickness may trigger memories and possibly worse responses.

Can you train yourself not to be motion sick?

According to a 2021 study, you may be able to train your mind to no longer become motion sick. However, additional studies are needed to fully prove the effectiveness of training the mind to stop motion sickness.

Motion sickness is an acute issue that occurs in some people when traveling. It can occur in cars, boats, planes, or any moving vehicle.

You can take steps to help alleviate your nausea and prevent vomiting. Solutions can include taking over-the-counter or prescription medications, using pressure points, focusing on a fixed point, and other methods.

If natural solutions do not work, you may want to talk with a doctor about your symptoms. They may be able to recommend additional therapies or prescribe medication to help

How to cope with the symptoms of seasickness – Friendly regatta

“What if I get sick?” – this is what travelers most often worry about when they want to try yachting.
We have good news!
Seasickness is not a disease at all. The fact is that while moving on a yacht, the brain receives conflicting information: muscles, ligaments and joints “inform” that the body is motionless, and the receptors of the inner ear – that the body is swaying and moving. This conflicting information causes motion sickness symptoms, the most common of which are dizziness and nausea.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to say for sure whether this particular person will get “seasickness” – science has not yet found an answer to this question – but it is important to know that:

• usually the body quickly adapts to rolling , training of the vestibular apparatus) can increase resistance to seasickness
• there are effective remedies and actions that will certainly help to cope with motion sickness
  1. The best way is to stand at the helm and look into the distance, at the horizon line.
  2. Lemon and ginger. You can periodically chew or dissolve – and discomfort will pass
  3. Non-carbonated water. Drink it by the sip, often, often.
  4. Eat sour, salty, bitter foods: fruits (green apples, citrus fruits), vegetables, nuts, dark chocolate, biscuits/crackers.
  5. Suck on mint or lemon drops.
  6. Once an hour, wipe the neck, face and temples with a damp towel

• 7. Massage the point P6 (Neiguan) located on the inner surface of the forearm 3 fingers above the wrist. Or buy an acupuncture bracelet for motion sickness (like TravelDream or SeaBand). The use of such bracelets is safe.
  8. In extreme cases, you can resort to the use of drugs. The most commonly used active ingredients are dimenhydrinate (Dramina, Ciel, Avaimarin), meclosine (Bonin) and Kinedryl. We do not recommend resorting to pills at the first symptoms of motion sickness, if they are not pronounced. Many drugs affect the central nervous system and cause drowsiness. Pay attention to the side effects of drugs: they are often incompatible with alcohol (or increase its effect) and are not recommended when driving.
  9. If all else fails, lie down in the cabin and try to sleep.
  It is also important for well-being on a yacht to rest and get enough sleep. Therefore, on the first day of travel with the Friendly Regatta, after a safety briefing and a welcome dinner, we do not leave the port, but spend the night on yachts. This allows the body to calmly adapt to pitching in a dream, when consciousness does not interfere. And for us, the organizers, it helps to make sure that a person gets enough sleep by the time they go to sea. A good rest is a guarantee of a comfortable sea voyage.
  For beginners in yachting, we advise not to make very long passages. 4-5 hours, no more. And preferably with breaks: go ashore, walk or swim in the sea.
  To prevent seasickness 1-2 weeks before swimming, increase the amount of fluid consumed – at least 1.5 liters of non-carbonated clean water per day. Minimize alcohol and carbonated drinks. Before the trip and during it, do not eat fatty and spicy foods, refrain from sweets.
  What not to do while traveling by sea:

• do not travel hungry, but do not overeat
• do not drink alcohol
• do not read a book, do not look at a smartphone while the yacht is moving

By the way, if you get motion sickness in land transport, this does not mean at all that you will have symptoms of motion sickness on a yacht.

However, if you suspect that you have “seasickness”, we advise you to consult a doctor (otolaryngologist, vestibulologist) before traveling for advice and prescribing medications, if necessary.

Also today it is possible to conduct special medical studies – videonystagmoscopy or videonystagmography. This is an assessment of the state of the vestibular system through the study of oculomotor functions (today the most reliable method). Such studies are carried out in the detection of vestibular pathology. In the vast majority of cases, motion sickness is not associated with disorders in the vestibular apparatus. The human body, as a rule, gets used to pitching by itself.

Therefore, the most important thing is a positive attitude. Don’t focus on the bad feelings. They will soon pass. Get busy on deck, watch the birds and the surrounding landscape, chat, smile!

And your sea journey will be easy and joyful. So you want to repeat.

How to get rid of seasickness?

We are accustomed to a sense of balance – it is thanks to him that our body is easily kept in an upright position, and we do not fall when moving.

However, sometimes the vestibular apparatus fails – many get motion sickness in transport, and in older people the sense of balance and coordination of movements deteriorate, as a result of which they can fall and be injured.

In this article, we will understand how the vestibular apparatus works and whether it can be trained to avoid problems in the future.

Contents

• What is equilibrium?
• What does the vestibular apparatus consist of?
• Disorders of the vestibular apparatus
• Answering questions about balance
• Note

What is equilibrium?

Balance is a feeling that helps people and animals not to fall. For the equilibrium to “work”, the interaction of several complex systems at once is required.

• First, in order to stand confidently on our feet, we need visual information about the environment – vision helps here.
• Secondly, we must feel the position of the parts of our own body relative to each other and in space. This ability is called proprioception, and it, in turn, provides a well-functioning system for transmitting information: from the muscles to the spinal cord, and from there to the brain.
• Thirdly, there can be no balance without the vestibular apparatus – a special organ that catches how the position of our head and body changes in space, as well as the direction of movement. The vestibular apparatus is part of the inner ear.

What does the vestibular apparatus consist of?

The vestibular apparatus is located in the inner ear, so we have two such apparatuses. The vestibular apparatus consists of a system of three channels, which are called semicircular. They are located at right angles to each other: two vertically, one horizontally. At the base of each canal is a jelly-like formation called a cupula.

There is a viscous liquid inside the canals, which “overflows” when the head is tilted and either presses or does not press on the cupulae. Information about this is captured by receptor cells and transmitted to the brain. So the brain “understands” what position the body is in.

In the inner ear, in front of the semicircular canals, there is another part of the vestibular apparatus – the otolith organs. They consist of two sacs – round and oval – which, like the channels, are filled with a viscous fluid and have receptor cells.

There are also otoliths in the sacs – these are calcium carbonate crystals, they are attached to the gel-like otolithic membrane and move when our body accelerates, while they act on receptor cells. So the brain receives information about linear acceleration, as well as about where the top and bottom are.

Disorders of the vestibular apparatus

The functioning of the vestibular apparatus, like other organs, can be impaired as a result of illness or injury. Symptoms such as dizziness, disorientation, imbalance, and the feeling that surrounding objects are moving or rotating around you indicate that something is wrong with the vestibular apparatus.

Less common symptoms include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, irregular heartbeat, fear or anxiety.

The most common pathologies associated with the vestibular apparatus are :

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are attacks of dizziness that occur when changing the position of the head. This syndrome is associated with the movement of otoliths into the semicircular canals. It is treated with special exercises – as a result, the otoliths “migrate” back.
• Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear. It provokes dizziness, nausea, vomiting, high fever, earache. Treatment depends on the cause of the inflammation (eg, bacterial or viral infections).
• Vestibular neuronitis – inflammation of the vestibular nerve. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and difficulty walking. The cause is usually a viral infection. Treatment is aimed at fighting the virus and relieving symptoms.
• Meniere’s disease is an accumulation of fluid in the inner ear that causes dizziness, nausea, tinnitus, hearing loss and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The reasons can be different: a viral infection, an allergy, an autoimmune disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease – therapy is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing sudden attacks.
• A perilymphatic fistula is a tear or defect between the middle and inner ear that causes dizziness and partial hearing loss. A fistula can be either congenital or result from a head injury, barotrauma (a sudden increase in pressure in the ear), or even heavy lifting. Treatment is surgical.

This list of diseases and injuries of the vestibular apparatus is not exhaustive – we have listed only the most common problems.

Answering questions about balance

Where does seasickness come from?

Seasickness is a familiar feeling of motion sickness, that is, nausea, which appears due to the monotonous vibrations of transport. It occurs because the brain begins to receive conflicting signals from different senses.

For example, you are driving in a car and you see trees and houses “floating” past you, and the inner ear, that is, the vestibular apparatus, feels the movement of the body in space relative to these trees and houses. In other words, it seems to the brain that you are moving, but the muscles and joints do not transmit any signals of activity. The brain reacts to such a contradiction with nausea.

In addition to nausea, symptoms of motion sickness include :

• dizziness,
• headache;
• increased salivation;

Women and children between the ages of 2 and 12 are particularly susceptible to motion sickness, but in general, the condition can affect anyone. Experts say that almost all people at least once in their lives experienced the symptoms of seasickness.

Interestingly, in 2015, scientists discovered genetic variants associated with a person’s predisposition to motion sickness. The authors of the work also note that according to various studies, seasickness has a high heritability, and the tendency to motion sickness is 57-70% due to genetics.

This study may be useful for more than just seasickness. It turned out that the same genetic variants are observed in people prone to other conditions – migraines, dizziness, morning sickness, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (this is a common side effect of anesthesia, sometimes taking a rather severe form).

Find out about your risk of migraine with the Atlas Genetic Test. We selected a total of 35 genetic variants that showed the greatest impact on the risk of developing such a headache in women and men.

What can I do to make the motion sickness less?

We will talk about drugs designed to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness below, but for now we will list the advice that experts give:

– suck on a mint, ginger or other soothing herb flavored lozenge;
– drink water in small sips;
– do not eat heavy, fatty, spicy or acidic foods before the trip;
– do not drink alcohol and do not smoke;
– open the windows in the car or sit next to the fan – fresh air will help relieve symptoms;
Do not look at a book or phone. It is better to focus on an object in the distance, on the horizon;
– if possible, take a position close to horizontal and lie down with your eyes closed.

The choice of a place in transport also matters. So, on a bus or train, it is better to choose a seat by the window, facing the direction of traffic; in the car – the front passenger seat. In an airplane, it is better to sit next to the wing so that it blocks the view from the porthole. On a ship, choose a cabin in the front or middle part of the ship, on a low deck (closer to the water), and on a small ferry, try to take a place in the middle, but already on the upper deck – where there is fresh air.

Is it possible to “train” the vestibular apparatus?

Yes, it can be trained, exercises are designed to help the brain cope with conflicting signals from different senses, minimizing unpleasant symptoms.

Experts say that with the help of training you can improve your sense of balance and coordination of movements, reduce the frequency of dizziness.

To train the vestibular apparatus, as a rule, exercises associated with head tilts and eye movements in different directions are recommended; exercises to maintain balance in different poses; repetition of movements that provoke dizziness; as well as coordination exercises (throwing the ball from hand to hand; walking on stairs or inclines; outdoor games in which you need to aim, bend and change body position, such as bowling; squats with open and closed eyes).

People who are prone to dizziness and the elderly should be wary of exercises that require closing their eyes or moving quickly.

What happens to the vestibular apparatus in weightlessness?

Many astronauts who are in a state of weightlessness experience problems with the vestibular apparatus. During their first days in space, they may suffer from nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Upon returning to Earth, they also need time to adjust to gravity – astronauts often have difficulty standing, walking, turning their bodies, and focusing their eyes.

This condition is called “space adaptation syndrome” or “space sickness”. It is caused primarily by the absence of gravity, that is, gravity – without this, our vestibular apparatus is not able to “understand” where the top is, and where the bottom is, and astronauts have to focus on visual signals – position their body relative to the devices installed in the modules ISS, as well as in relation to other crew members.

Weightlessness also “deceives” the sense of proprioception – without the force of gravity, which usually affects our joints and muscles, the brain does not understand where the hands and feet of a person are – however, only in a relaxed state. If the astronaut moves his limbs, then the spatial sensation of his own body returns.

Is there any cure for motion sickness?

Pharmacies sell over-the-counter motion sickness medicines. As a rule, these are antihistamines. Although they are used to treat allergies, not all drugs that are effective in allergic reactions are suitable for motion sickness.

Do not try to relieve the symptoms of seasickness with pollen allergy pills from the medicine cabinet.

Antihistamines may indeed relieve the symptoms of motion sickness, but side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. The scheme of administration and dosage of drugs is indicated in the instructions, the recommendations must be strictly followed.

Another remedy for motion sickness is special plasters. There are both over-the-counter options and those sold by prescription. OTC instead of medicinal substances contain essential oils of plants, such as mint or ginger, and are intended, as the manufacturers say, to have a beneficial effect on the nervous and vestibular systems of the body (if a person experiences severe symptoms of motion sickness, then such a patch most likely will not be able to help ).

Prescription patches contain alkaloids that can be toxic, so only a doctor should prescribe these strong patches.

Why do older people lose their balance?

Scientists as early as the 1970s found out that aging of the body negatively affects the vestibular apparatus and, as a result, worsens the balance of a person, while researchers have not yet been able to quantify these changes.

However, it is known for certain that older people are much more likely than younger people to suffer from dizziness and disorientation in space, and therefore they fall more often. These injuries are the sixth leading cause of death in older people, with 20% of falls being fatal.

According to experts, by 2050 the proportion of people over 65 years of age will increase by 115% compared to 2015, which means that the frequency of such injuries will also increase.

Notes

● A whole complex of senses is responsible for our balance: vision, proprioception, and the vestibular apparatus.

● The vestibular apparatus is a complex system in the inner ear, the main parts of which are the semicircular canals and the otolith organs.

● Seasickness, or motion sickness, is the reaction of the brain to conflicting signals coming from different senses (for example, when vision and the vestibular apparatus “tell” that we are moving, but the muscles – that the body is motionless).

● The symptoms of motion sickness can be alleviated or relieved with the help of special medications such as tablets or patches.

● The vestibular apparatus can be trained – there are special exercises for this.