Peer Reviewed
Travel medicine update

Motion sickness

Jonathan Cohen
Abstract
Motion sickness is a common disorder and GPs are often asked about its management. The cause is generally considered to be a mismatch of vestibular and visual sensations. Appropriate management includes education, awareness of preventive strategies and recommendation of appropriate medication.
Key Points

    Motion sickness is a clinical condition characterised by abdominal discomfort, increased salivation, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, pallor and cold sweats. This is usually accompanied by cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, sensory, performance and emotional responses familiar to everybody reading this article. Homer and other historical figures described the condition, and the word ‘nausea’ is derived from the Greek word for ship – naus.

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