RISK FACTORS: Motion (auto, plane, boat, amusement rides), Travel, Visual stimuli (i.e. moving horizon), Poor ventilation (fumes, smoke, carbon monoxide), Emotions (fear, anxiety), Zero gravity, Other illness or poor health
GENERAL MEASURES
β’ Minimize exposure (seat in middle of plane or boat)
β’ Improve ventilation
β’ Acupressure on the point PC6 is shown to reduce feelings
of nausea, but not the incidence of vomtiing during
pregnancy, after surgery, and in cancer chemotherapy.
although no direct evidence is found for motion sickness.
Point PC6 (βneiguanβ in pericardium meridian): 2
cm proximal from the transverse crease of the palmar
side of the wrist, between the tendons of m. palmaris
longus and m. flexer radialis.
ACTIVITY
β’ Semi-recumbent seating
β’ Fix vision at 45 degree angle above horizon
β’ Avoid fi xation of vision on moving objects (i.e., waves)
β’ Avoid reading
DIET
β’ Decrease oral intake or take frequent small feedings
β’ Avoid alcohol
DRUG(S) OF CHOICE
β’ Scopolamine transdermal where available; apply patch
6 hours before travel and replace every 3 days
β’ Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine); take 0.5-1 hour before
travel; adults and adolescents 50-100 mg q4h, maximum
400 mg/day; children 6-12 years 25-50 mg q6-8h,
maximum 150 mg/day; children 2-6 years 12.5-25 mg
q6-8h, maximum 75 mg/day
β’ Meclizine (Antivert) 25-50 mg qd
PREVENTION/AVOIDANCE
β’ Minimize exposure (seat in middle of plane or boat)
β’ Improve ventilation
β’ Semi-recumbent seating
β’ Fix vision at 45 degree angle above horizon
β’ Avoid fi xation of vision on moving objects (i.e., waves)
β’ Avoid reading
β’ Minimize food intake prior to travel
β’ Increase airflow around the face
β’ Keep eyes fixed on still, distant objects
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
β’ Hypotension
β’ Dehydration
β’ Depression
β’ Panic
β’ Syncope
EXPECTED COURSE/PROGNOSIS
β’ Symptoms should resolve when motion exposure ends
β’ Resistance to motion sickness seems to increase with age