Motion sickness occurs when you lose sight of the outside horizon due to accelerated movements in different directions or certain conditions. The sense of balance and equilibrium is lost, causing dizziness and other inconveniences. Depending on the place where it is happening, it will be referred to as car sickness, airsickness or seasickness.
The biological cause of motion sickness is linked with the inner ear. The inner ear ensures the balance of the body but under certain circumstances, the stimuli sent by the inner ear to the brain conflict with the ones sent by the eyes. The brain does not manage to balance the two contradictory stimuli and this causes the sickness. This is likely to happen when the body is in constant motion.
How serious: motion sickness is an inconvenience but is not a serious illness. It ends when the trip causing it comes to an end.
How likely: most of people suffer from motion sickness at least once in their lifetime. Fear and anxiety are likely to increase the symptoms.
How to get it: when traveling by air, airsickness occurs, especially when there is turbulence. When driving, motion sickness is more likely to happen on winding roads rather than on straight roads. Likewise, a rough ferry crossing may cause motion sickness.
Symptoms: include nausea and in some cases vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue.
How to avoid it: when you feel motion sickness is coming, breathe fresh air. Open the window of the car to feel the breeze and help the inconvenience disappear. Avoid heavy food and alcohol. Reading while in motion is often a cause of dizziness and is to be avoided. Medication including various natural remedies can be taken as a way of preventing the sickness.
How to treat it: if you are on a ship, look for an area where the movements are less felt. Try also to catch the horizon line and gaze towards it. To solve the balance conflict between the eyes and the inner ear, you can take a nap. Medications are available, some of which need to be taken before travel.
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