Wiki Vertigo

Vertigo and motion sickness

Vertigo and motion sickness are both conditions related to balance and spatial orientation, but they differ in their causes, symptoms, and management strategies. Understanding the relationship between the two can help people better manage these conditions, especially when they occur together.

1. Understanding Vertigo vs. Motion Sickness

A. Vertigo

• Definition: Vertigo is a type of dizziness that creates the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. It is often caused by a problem in the inner ear or the vestibular system (the part of the ear and brain that controls balance).
• Causes:
  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A condition caused by tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear becoming dislodged, leading to vertigo.
  • Meniere’s Disease: An inner ear disorder that causes vertigo, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
  • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Infections that affect the inner ear and cause vertigo.
  • Migraines: Vestibular migraines can cause vertigo as part of a migraine attack.
• Symptoms: Spinning sensation, imbalance, nausea, difficulty standing or walking, and sometimes hearing issues or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

B. Motion Sickness

• Definition: Motion sickness is caused by a sensory conflict between the eyes, inner ear, and other parts of the body that detect movement. It happens when the brain receives conflicting signals from the visual system and the vestibular system.
• Causes:
  • Travel: Commonly triggered by movement in cars, boats, planes, or amusement rides.
  • Visual and Vestibular Discrepancy: For example, when reading in a moving vehicle or experiencing motion but not visually seeing it (like looking at the horizon on a plane), the brain gets mixed signals.
• Symptoms: Nausea, sweating, dizziness, cold or clammy skin, and sometimes vomiting.

2. How They Are Related

• Common Mechanism: Both vertigo and motion sickness involve the vestibular system, which is responsible for detecting movement and helping with balance. When this system is disturbed—whether by a disorder (vertigo) or by conflicting sensory input (motion sickness)—it can lead to dizziness and nausea.
• Overlapping Symptoms: Both conditions may involve dizziness, nausea, and a general sense of disorientation. However, motion sickness is typically a temporary reaction to movement, while vertigo can be an ongoing or episodic condition that may last for minutes to hours, depending on the underlying cause.

3. Managing Motion Sickness

If you’re prone to motion sickness, there are several strategies that can help prevent or reduce symptoms:

A. Prevention

• Choose the Right Seat: In a car, sit in the front seat; on a boat, stay near the middle where the motion is less pronounced; on a plane, sit near the wings where the motion is less noticeable.
• Look at the Horizon: Focus on a stable object in the distance (e.g., the horizon), which helps provide visual stability to counter the conflicting signals from the inner ear.
• Avoid Reading or Looking at Screens: Activities that focus your eyes on stationary objects in a moving vehicle, like reading or using your phone, can exacerbate motion sickness. Try to avoid them during travel.
• Get Fresh Air: If possible, open a window or get some fresh air to alleviate nausea and dizziness.

B. Medications

• Antihistamines: Over-the-counter medications like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine can help prevent or alleviate motion sickness symptoms. Take them before travel to prevent symptoms.
• Scopolamine Patch: Available by prescription, the scopolamine patch is worn behind the ear and can help prevent motion sickness, particularly on boats or long trips.
• Ginger: Some studies suggest that ginger can help alleviate nausea associated with motion sickness. Ginger candies, tea, or supplements can be effective for some individuals.

C. Behavioral Techniques

• Acupressure: Applying pressure to the P6 acupressure point (located on the inside of the wrist) has been shown to reduce motion sickness in some people. You can find wristbands designed to apply pressure to this point.
• Breathing Exercises: Slow, deep breaths can help reduce the feelings of nausea and anxiety associated with motion sickness.

4. Managing Vertigo

For those who experience vertigo, the management depends on the underlying cause. Here are some general strategies:

A. Vestibular Rehabilitation

• Physical Therapy: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) involves exercises to help the brain adapt to balance issues caused by inner ear problems. These exercises may include eye, head, and body movements designed to improve coordination and reduce dizziness.
• Epley Maneuver: If you have BPPV, the Epley maneuver is a series of head movements performed by a healthcare provider that can help reposition the crystals in the inner ear and relieve vertigo symptoms.

B. Medications

• Antiemetics: Medications like meclizine or dimenhydrinate (used for motion sickness) can also be used to help alleviate nausea associated with vertigo.
• Vestibular Suppressants: If vertigo is caused by an acute episode of vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, your doctor may prescribe medications to suppress vertigo symptoms.
• Diuretics: For conditions like Meniere’s disease, diuretics may be prescribed to help reduce fluid buildup in the inner ear, alleviating symptoms of vertigo.

C. Lifestyle Modifications

• Hydration: Staying hydrated is important, as dehydration can worsen vertigo symptoms. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Avoid Triggers: If certain movements, positions, or environments trigger vertigo (like quick head movements or bright lights), try to avoid them when possible.
• Rest: If vertigo is persistent, it may help to rest in a dark, quiet environment until symptoms subside.

5. When Vertigo and Motion Sickness Occur Together

For people who experience both vertigo and motion sickness, the management strategies may need to address both conditions simultaneously. Here are some tips for handling them together:

A. Stay Calm

• Anxiety can exacerbate both vertigo and motion sickness, so staying calm and relaxed is important. Deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress and mitigate the symptoms of both conditions.

B. Medication Considerations

• Consult a Doctor: If you have both vertigo and motion sickness, it may be helpful to consult a healthcare provider who can recommend medications that will address both conditions. For example, taking an antihistamine before travel may help with motion sickness, while vestibular suppressants may help with vertigo symptoms.

C. Sensory Management

• Focus on Stability: In situations where both conditions are triggered (such as during travel), focus on stable visual cues (like the horizon or a fixed point) and avoid activities that involve reading or looking at screens.
• Positioning: Make sure to sit in a position that minimizes both vertigo and motion sickness triggers, such as near the center of the vehicle or boat.

Conclusion

Vertigo and motion sickness share similar symptoms but have different causes and triggers. While motion sickness is typically caused by sensory conflicts during movement, vertigo is often related to inner ear or vestibular system disorders. Managing both conditions requires a combination of preventive measures, medications, and techniques tailored to the individual’s needs. For people who experience both, a comprehensive approach to treatment is important, including proper medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

 The Vertigo And Dizziness Program™ By Christian Goodman Vertigo and Dizziness Program is a designed to help stop vertigo and dizziness once and for all. Medical practitioner don’t know the exact cure for this condition but this program will show you exactly what you need to make this painful condition a thing of the past. This program has recommended a set of simple head exercises that help cure this condition.