Motion sickness is known by many names, e.g., car sickness, sea sickness, air sickness, space sickness, and motion maladaption syndrome. Motion sickness is a normal response to perception of motion where there is sensory conflict about body motion perceived by different receptors (visual, vestibular, and body proprioceptors). It can also be induced when the pattern of motion differs from that previously experienced, in the absence of expected motion, or viewing a very large screen where the viewer is not actually moving.
Symptoms and time course
The development of symptoms follows an orderly sequence that varies with the intensity of the stimulus and the susceptibility of the individual. The initial symptom is
usually discomfort around the upper abdomen ("stomach awareness"), which is followed by nausea and increasing malaise. Concurrently the face or area around the
mouth becomes pale and the individual starts to sweat. With rapid worsening of symptoms ("avalanche syndrome") there can be increased salivation, feelings of
body warmth, a lightness of the head, and often depression and apathy. Vomiting typically follows.
Additional symptoms are frequent, but more variable. These include belching and flatulence, hyperventilation, sighing and yawning, headache, tightness around the forehead or a "buzzing" sensation, drowsiness, lethargy and somnolence, panic or confusion. The lethargy, fatigue, and drowsiness can persist after the stimulus stops and nausea lessens.
Over time, there is a tendency to adapt ("to get one's sea legs"). For most individuals this occurs by 2 to 3 days, although about 5% are said not to adapt and remain symptomatic if the stimulus persists. Returning to stable circumstances, as in returning to shore, can trigger an exacerbation, but this is usually shorter because
Re-adaptation is quicker.
Incidence and risk factors
Incidence varies depending upon the magnitude of the stimulus and the susceptibility of the individual. It ranges from < 1% on a large aircraft to almost 100% on a
rough sea voyage under evacuation conditions. Boat travel is most likely to cause motion sickness, followed by travel by air, car, and train.
Motion sickness is rare in those 2 years of age. It is said to peak between ages 3 and 12, with a gradual decrease thereafter. Rates are higher in females (1.7:1 compared to males). It is increased during menstruation and pregnancy.
Within a given magnitude of stimulus, there are differences in natural susceptibility, which can be exacerbated by emotions like fear or anxiety, or by other illnesses, poor health, or some medications.
Important physical characteristics of the stimulus include the frequency, intensity, and duration of directional changes. It is increased by visual stimuli, such as a moving horizon, or by zero gravity.
Rates are magnified by other environmental factors, such as poor ventilation, odors, fumes, smoke, and carbon monoxide.
Differential diagnosis and complications
The differential diagnosis includes vestibular disease, gastro-enteritis, metabolic disorders, and toxin exposures. At altitude, it also includes mountain sickness. Most symptoms attributed to motion sickness should resolve following termination of the motion stimulus or with adaptation to it. Some symptoms, such as lethargy, take longer to resolve
Complications are infrequent, but include hypotension, de-hydration, depression, and panic.
General measures for prevention of motion sickness
1. Minimize exposure:
- be located in the middle of the boat where movement is least be in a semi-recumbent position minimize head and body movements.
2. Restrict visual activity: - fix vision on the horizon or some other stable external object
avoid fixation on a moving object
avoid reading
close eyes, if below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
3. Improve ventilation and remove noxious stimuli.
4. Reduce the magnitude of the motion stimulus:
avoid or minimize acceleration and deceleration, and turning or moving of the vehicle.
5. Engage in distracting activity:
- be in control of the vehicle
- perform mental activity (don't read).
Recommended dietary manipulations include decreasing large oral intakes, taking frequent small feedings, and avoiding alcohol. The scientific support for these observations is less certain.
Medications for prevention of motion sickness
1. Important variables
There is no one standard approach that is ideal for everyone in all circumstances. Important variables that may influence the choice include individual susceptibility, the amount of time available before the stimulus will start (e.g., planned travel versus a sudden exposure), the severity of stimulus, the duration of the stimulus (e.g., a brief exposure versus a trip of several days or more), whether medications are being used for prophylaxis or once symptoms have begun, tolerance to individual medications, the need to maintain total alertness, and other underlying medical conditions.
2. Potential routes of administration
There are a variety of routes of administration. These include by mouth (tablet to swallow or chew), sublingual (tablet or sachet under tongue), buccal (sachet or tablet in mouth cavity), intra-muscular, rectal (suppository), and transdermal (patch).
3. Timing of medical use
Oral regimens must be taken prior to the exposure, both to allow absorption and to attain adequate levels. Regimens are usually considerably less effective once
symptoms of motion sickness have begun. With the onset of symptoms, absorption becomes less effective, and with vomiting, becomes close to im-possible. Once
severe manifestations have begun, rectal supposi-tories may still be an option if intramuscular injections are not possible.
4. Classes of medications used
Travellers commonly use two classes of centrally acting medi-cations; muscarinic receptor antagonists and histamine H1-receptor antagonists. Despite intensive
study, their site(s) of action remains poorly defined and their effectiveness does not parallel their recep-tor- blocking potency.
Under conditions of intense stimuli there is a role for centrally acting sympathomimetic substances, e.g., dextroamphetamine (11) . These are typically used in conjunction with either of the first two classes of agents.
There are a number of other classes of agents that have or are being studied and for which data are very conflicting (e.g., ginger) (12-15) , or preliminary (e.g., antidepressants and anti-convulsants). Much of the effort with new compounds, such as doxepin (16) and phenytoin (17,18) , is based on an attempt to decrease
adverse reactions, particularly those that could compromise functioning under conditions of space travel or maritime operations.
Adverse reactions to medications used for motion sickness
Motion sickness itself may contribute to some of the symp-toms attributed to the medications, but drowsiness is common with all except those that include
sympathomimetic agents. Symptoms are usually dose-related and it may be possible to strike a balance between efficacy and adverse reactions (e.g., in most individuals scopolamine 0.3 mg will produce significant protection with mini-mal side effects).
Comments about individual medications, including their availability in Canada, dosage, and adverse reactions are given in
a. Dextroamphetamine
Amphetamine and related agents have significant effects on motion sickness (11,22) . Their main usefulness appears to be under conditions of extreme stress where they have been used in conjunc-tion with scopolamine or promethazine to provide additional benefit and counteract adverse effects (6,23,24) . For prevention of motion sickness in the routine traveller, there is little indication for its use. In Canada it is marketed as Dexedrine ® , which is available as a short-acting and a long-lasting preparation.
b. Cinnarizine
Used as 30 mg 1 to 2 hours before exposure and 15 mg every 6 to 8 hours thereafter, it has been shown to be significantly more effective than a placebo (3) and similar to scopolamine 0.3 mg every 6 to 8 hours in a much smaller study (25) . The standard dose is the one used in the study. It is not available in Canada, but is in the United States.
Its use is not recommended in pregnancy, and no dosage recom-mendations are offered < age 5. For children aged 5 to 12 years, half the adult dose is recommended.
The major adverse reaction is drowsiness.
c. Cyclizine
Cyclizine has been shown to be inferior to scopolamine, but significantly better than a placebo (19) . The standard dose is 50 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours. Cyclizine is only available as an intra-muscular preparation in Canada (Marzine ® ) but is available in the United States as an oral preparation.
It is not recommended for use in pregnancy, but can be used in children. In children the recommended dose is 1/4 of the adult dose up to age 6 years and 1/2 of the
adult dose from 6 to 10 years of age.
In recommended doses, its major adverse reaction is slight drowsiness.
d. Dimenhydrinate
This has long been considered one of the treatments of choice for the degree of motion sickness that travellers might experi-ence (7,9,26-29) . Dimenhydrinate is available under numerous trade names (e.g., Gravol ® ) in over the counter preparations, and comes as tablets, chewable tablets, filmkote preparations, long-acting cap-sules, liquid preparations, suppositories, and injectable preparations.
It should not be used in children < 2 years of age and is not recommended for use in pregnancy. The standard adult dose is 50 mg to 100 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours, to a maximum of 400 mg in 24 hours. For children 2 to 6 years of age, the oral dose is 15 mg to 25 mg every 6 to 8 hours, to a maximum of 75 mg in 24 hours. For children 6 to 12 years of age, the oral dose is 25 mg to 50 mg every 6 to 8 hours, to a maximum of 150 mg in 24 hours. For children > 12 years of age,
the oral dose is 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours, to a maximum of 300 mg in 24 hours.
Compared to the scopolamine patch, dimenhydrinate's major deficiency is the need for frequent administration. The major adverse reactions are drowsiness and
vertigo. In children there can be excitement.
e. Meclizine
This has also long been considered an effective regimen (7,9,29) , but does not appear as effective as the scopolamine patch (30) . Meclizine (Bonamine ® ) is available
in a tablet that can be swallowed, chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth.
Its use in pregnancy is not recommended, but it can be used in children. The standard adult dose is 25 mg to 50 mg orally, but recommendations for dose intervals range from every 6 to 12 hours to every 12 to 24 hours. Based on the duration of action shown in Table 1, intervals longer than 12 hours would seem inappropriate if rough conditions are being encountered. Half the adult dose is recommended for children.
The major adverse reaction is drowsiness.
f. Promethazine
Promethazine, with or without an amphetamine-like agent, has largely been used in situations of severe stimuli, and for treatment of established motion sickness (5,31) .
Promethazine is available in several brands (e.g., Phenergan ® ), including tablets and syrups.
It can be used in pregnancy but should not be used in those < 2 years of age. The standard dose for prevention is 25 mg orally every 6 hours. Based on its long duration of activity (Table 1), this frequency seems unnecessarily high. The dose recommended for children > 2 years of age is 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg of body weight
every 4 to 6 hours.
Promethazine causes more drowsiness than most of the other standard agents and its use is reported to result in significant decreases in performance scores, psychomotor function, infor-mation processing, and alertness, but results are conflicting, and under conditions of motion sickness there may be less impairment than that attributable to the motion sickness itself (23) .
g. Scopolamine hydrochloride
This preparation is not currently available on the Canadian or American market in an oral form. It is, however, often the standard against which other medications
have been compared (19,23,25,32) . It is not apparent why it is not available, but presumably manufacturers believe that the scopolamine patch has replaced it. In
Canada there is a preparation, scopolamine butylbromide (Buscopan ® ), that does not have an indication for motion sickness.
The major adverse reactions with scopolamine are similar to those discussed for the scopolamine patch.
h. Scopolamine patch
The scopolamine transdermal patch is applied to the skin behind the ear at least 8 hours prior to exposure to the stimulus, with replacement every 72 hours. It has been extensively studied and reviewed (21,30) . Studies show overall efficacy similar to oral scopolamine and oral dimenhydrinate (26-28,30,32) . Its main advantages are its practical ease of administration and long duration of activity. Problems with its use include adverse reactions which may outweigh the benefit when there are minimal stimuli to induce motion sickness, the long period before onset of activity, and the inconsistency of effects in different individuals and in the same individual at
dif- ferent times (21,34) . There is a concern that it may decrease adaptation to motion sickness, although this has not always been apparent (20) . It should be avoided
in pregnancy and should not be used in children. The scopolamine patch (Transderm-V ® ) is available in Canada.
Use of the scopolamine patch is contraindicated in glaucoma; should be avoided in the young, the elderly, during pregnancy, and when there is urinary or pyloric obstruction. The scopolamine patch can interact with sedatives, such as antihistamines, alcohol, antidepressants, and anticholinergics-like belladonna alkaloids.
Hands should be washed after applying it to avoid inadvertent contact to the conjunctiva with resultant pupillary dilatation and blurred vision. Commonly reported adverse effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, and blurred vision (even without direct contact). The visual problem may increase with continuous use (21) . It can cause confusional states and/or visual hallucinations, particularly in elderly individuals.
Numerous approaches likely provide comparable activity
A recent study assessed seasickness on a whale-watching trip where 80% without prophylaxis typically become sick. It compared many of the available preparations that travellers might use (8) . The following regimens were taken up to 2 hours before departure: meclizine (12.5 mg) plus caffeine (50 mg), ginger root
(250 mg), and cinnarizine (20 mg) plus domperidon (15 mg). Two regimens were started the night before: scopolamine patch, and cinnarizine (25 mg) (with a
second dose at least one hour before). There were 1,741 individuals recruited and 1,489 (85.5%) completed the evaluation. There were no significant differences
between regimens, with 4.1% to 10.2% reporting vomiting and 16.4% to 23.5% that they were at least slightly seasick. There was a slight trend towards the
scopolamine patch having a weaker action (p = 0.14), and slightly more visual problems. The authors concluded that all but the scopolamine patch may be
recommended for prophylaxis in this setting of short-term, but potentially intense exposure.
Recommendations for travellers, using regimens available in Canada
The following are recommendations for preventive use by travellers who do not need to drive or perform skilled tasks, using medications available in Canada. All medications are effective compared to a placebo [A I (see Appendix I)], but none will work for all travellers. If one approach is not effective, or not tolerated, another should be tried.
There are no studies that definitively support or refute the following recommendations. Based on factors such as cost, willingness to tolerate adverse reactions, and prior experience, individual travellers may wish to choose one regimen over another.
For longer-term travel many would prefer the scopolamine patch, but it has several disadvantages. The recommendation to use alternatives (*see below) as needed for mild stimuli is based on the observation that, with use of the patch, symptoms (adverse reactions) are more frequent than symptoms attributed to motion sickness when minimal or no rough conditions are encountered (21,34) .
A. Short-term exposure (< or = 6 hours)
I. Mild to moderate stimulus
1. Recommended - dimenhydrinate
2. Alternatives - meclizine - promethazine
II. Intensive stimulus
1. Recommended - promethazine plus amphetamine
2. Alternatives - dimenhydrinate - scopolamine patch
B. Longer-term exposure (> 6 hours)
I. Mild stimulus
1. Recommended - dimenhydrinate as needed*
2. Alternatives - scopolamine patch - meclizine as needed* promethazine as needed*
II. Moderate to intensive stimulus
1. Recommended - scopolamine patch
2. Alternatives - repeated doses of dimenhydrinate- repeated doses of promethazine - repeated doses of meclizine
Treatment of established symptoms
For treatment of established symptoms, options are more limited. Once vomiting has commenced, no oral regimen that is swallowed is likely to be effective (35) .
Intramuscular promethazine (25 mg to 50 mg) appears to be the most effective means of managing already developed severe motion sickness (23,31,35) , but most travellers will not be able to administer intramuscular injections. Rectal suppositories are available with dimenhydrinate. Several preparations can be dissolved in the mouth, but their effectiveness in the presence of vomiting is likely significantly compromised.
If the exposure is likely to be prolonged, a scopolamine patch can also be applied (36) , but this will not provide immediate benefit.
Alternative approaches to prevention of motion sickness
Acupressure, using a commercially available product applying pressure at a point above the wrist, has not been shown to be effective (4) .
Compounds like caffeine alone do not appear effective, but may counteract some of the drowsiness seen with common agents like the antihistamines.
Table 1
Effective oral* regimens for the prevention of motion sickness
Drug Oral Dose (mg)* Interval to Duration Major Adverse Severity of be Effective of Reactions Motion that (hrs) Effectiveness Drug is (hrs) Effective Against Amphetamine 5-10 1-2 8 Talkative, Mild restlessness Abuse potential Cinnarizine 30 2-5 6-8 Drowsiness Mild to severe Cyclizine 50 1-2 4-6 Slight Mild drowsiness Dimenhydrinate 50-100 1-2 6-8 Drowsiness, Moderate vertigo Meclizine 25-30 2 6-12 Drowsiness Mild Promethazine 25 1.5-2 24-30 Extensive Moderate to drowsiness severe Promethazine/ ephedrine 25/25 1-2 12 Moderate to severe Scopolamine 0.3-0.6 0.5-1 4-6 Dry mouth, Severe drowsiness, blurred vision Scopolamine patch (TTS) 1.5 6-8 72 Dry mouth, Moderate to drowsiness, severe blurred vision Scopolamine/ amphetamine 0.3-0.6/5-10 1-2 6 Slightly dry Severe mouth Table 2 Regimens available in Canada or the United States for the prevention of motion sickness Available Drug Canada United Oral Interval to Dose Use in Use in States Dose be Effective Frequency Pregnancy Children (mg) (hrs) (hrs) Amphetamine Yes Yes 5-10 1-2 q 4-6 No not < 3 years Cinnarizine No Yes 30 2-5 15 mg q 6-8 ?No ? not < 5 years Cyclizine No* Yes 50 1-2 q 4-6 ?No Yes Dimenhydrinate Yes Yes 50-100 1-2 q 4-6 ?No not < 2 years Meclizine Yes Yes 25-50 2 q 6-24 ?No Yes Promethazine Yes Yes 25 1.5-2 q 4-6 Yes not < 2 years Scopolamine patch (TTS) Yes Yes patch 8 q 72 No No
Here's How:
1.Take antinauseant drugs the night before the journey and again on the morning of the
journey.
2.Rest well before the flight and wear comfortable clothes.
3.A light meal should be eaten about one-half hour before the journey because an
empty stomach may increase the feeling of nausea.
4.During the journey, you should recline your seat as far as possible and keep your head
braced.
5.Breathe slowly and deeply. Turn on the overhead air vent to improve air circulation.
6.Keep your eyes closed or, if open, focus on the horizon or a stationary point within
the aircraft.
7.Avoid reading. Listening to music may help you relax.
8.Sit near the wings, in the centre of the fuselage - there is less movement here.
9.Choose an aisle seat so you can get out easily if necessary.
10.Small amounts of food and drink should be taken at regular intervals.
11.Alcohol should be avoided.
Tips:
1.Ginger (root or powder) and peppermint tea have been found to be helpful by some
people.
2.Many motion sickness drugs (eg Dramamine) can cause drowsiness - be aware if
planning to drive.
3.If you do get sick, don't worry - it should clear up soon after getting off the Boat.
Information taken from Health Canada &
:Health Protection Branch -
Laboratory Centre for Disease Control