What are the main causes of motion sickness?

Generally, the main causes of motion sickness may include psychological factors, visual factors, vestibular dysfunction, otitis media, hypertension, and others. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the specific cause and receive targeted treatment accordingly. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Psychological Factors

Anxiety, tension, and other emotional states can affect the function of the central nervous system, making individuals more sensitive to motion stimuli. Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations may occur. It is recommended to perform relaxation techniques before traveling, such as deep breathing or meditation, which can help alleviate anxiety and thus reduce the occurrence of motion sickness.

2. Visual Factors

During travel, if the visual scenery perceived by the eyes is inconsistent with the actual physical movement sensed by the body, the information sent by the eyes to the brain will conflict with the motion information sensed by the inner ear, increasing the risk of motion sickness. It is advisable to avoid prolonged use of mobile phones or reading while traveling. Instead, closing the eyes to rest or looking at distant scenery may help reduce visual stimulation.

3. Vestibular Dysfunction

The vestibular organs, located in the inner ear, are responsible for sensing the position and movement of the head. When traveling, the information received by the vestibular organs may conflict with visual information, causing confusion in the brain and triggering symptoms of motion sickness, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, and others. Taking medications such as dimenhydrinate tablets, promethazine hydrochloride tablets, or scopolamine transdermal patches before travel, as directed by a physician, can help reduce the occurrence of motion sickness.

4. Otitis Media

Otitis media is an inflammatory condition affecting all or part of the structures of the middle ear, which can damage the middle ear structures and impair the normal function of the inner ear balance receptors, making them more easily stimulated during travel and triggering symptoms of motion sickness. It is usually accompanied by symptoms such as ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss. It is recommended to use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, roxithromycin tablets, or cephalexin dry suspension under a physician's guidance for treatment.

5. Hypertension

Hypertension increases pressure on the blood vessel walls, affecting cerebral blood circulation, making the brain more susceptible to abnormal signals from the inner ear balance receptors during travel, thereby triggering symptoms of motion sickness. Symptoms such as headache, palpitations, and chest tightness may also occur. It is recommended to use medications such as nifedipine tablets, methyldopa tablets, or captopril sustained-release tablets as directed by a physician to relieve symptoms.

It is also recommended to choose seats near the window and with less vibration when traveling, to minimize jolting, which can help alleviate symptoms of motion sickness.