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Motion sickness
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Condition

Motion sickness

Motion sickness is a common condition triggered by sensory conflicts regarding movement, often resulting in dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Overview

Motion sickness is a feeling of unwellness brought on by certain types of movement, such as traveling in cars, boats, or airplanes. It is highly common, with approximately one in three people considered highly susceptible.

Symptoms

  • Dizziness
  • Pale skin (pallor)
  • Sweating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
  • Headache, restlessness, and drowsiness

Causes

Motion sickness is believed to result from a sensory conflict. The brain receives mismatched signals about movement from the inner ears, eyes, muscles, and joints. For example, if the eyes signal that the body is stationary while the inner ears signal motion, the resulting sensory mismatch triggers symptoms.

Susceptibility is partly genetic and likely polygenic, involving variations in many genes. Research has identified potential associations with genes involved in inner ear development, nerve cell communication, and glucose homeostasis.

Risk Factors

Certain groups are more susceptible to motion sickness, including:

  • Women (particularly during menstruation or pregnancy)
  • Children
  • Individuals with migraine headaches or vestibular migraines
  • Specific ethnic and geographic populations

Inheritance

Motion sickness does not follow a clear inheritance pattern, but it tends to cluster in families. Individuals with a parent or sibling who is highly susceptible are more likely to experience the condition themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start with a light, low‑fat meal 2–3 hours before travel, avoid alcohol and strong odors, and stay hydrated. Sit where motion is minimized (front seat of a car, mid‑section of a boat, over the wing on an airplane). Look at the horizon or a fixed point, and consider taking an over‑the‑counter antihistamine (e.g., dimenhydrinate or meclizine) 30–60 minutes before departure, especially if you know you’re highly susceptible.
Mild symptoms usually resolve with rest and repositioning, but seek medical attention if you experience persistent vomiting that prevents fluid intake, severe dehydration, a sudden loss of consciousness, chest pain, or neurological signs such as severe headache, visual changes, or inability to stand. These could indicate a more serious condition requiring evaluation.
For children older than 2 years, pediatric‑approved antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®) or meclizine can be used at weight‑based doses (typically 0.5 mg/kg for dimenhydrinate, not exceeding the adult maximum). Always follow the label or a pediatrician’s guidance, and avoid giving multiple sedating drugs together. Non‑pharmacologic measures—like positioning the child where they can see the horizon and providing a snack—should be tried first.
Occasional motion sickness is common and usually benign, but recurrent severe episodes, especially if they occur without obvious motion triggers or are accompanied by balance problems, hearing loss, or visual disturbances, may warrant evaluation by an ENT or neurologist. Tests such as videonystagmography or vestibular evoked myogenic potentials can help identify inner‑ear or central causes.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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