What is motion sickness?
Motion, or travel, sickness is essentially a form of vertigo in which autonomic symptoms predominate, caused by unaccustomed movement during any form of travel. Symptoms may include, in addition to nausea and vomiting, increased salivation, general malaise, pallor, sweating, yawning and hyperventilation.
Gastric motility is reduced and digestion impaired. Two main theories have been put forward to account for motion sickness:
- Overstimulation of the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear caused by unaccustomed types of movement
- Conflict between stimuli received in the brain from the vestibular system, the eyes and other non-vestibular spatial receptors.
Action point
Devise a brief training session on motion sickness for all your staff. Ensure they are familiar with the range of medicines available OTC, when they can safely recommend, and when they should refer to the pharmacist.