Airsickness

Airsickness is a sensation which is induced by air travel.[1] It is a specific form of motion sickness, and is considered a normal response in healthy individuals. Airsickness occurs when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from the body (including the inner ear, eyes and muscles) affecting balance and equilibrium. Whereas commercial airline passengers may simply feel poorly, the effect of airsickness on military aircrew may lead to a decrement in performance and adversely affect the mission.[2]

Airsickness
SpecialtyEmergency medicine

The inner ear is particularly important in the maintenance of balance and equilibrium because it contains sensors for both angular (rotational) and linear motion. Airsickness is usually a combination of spatial disorientation, nausea and vomiting.[3]

Signs and symptoms

Common symptoms of airsickness include:

Nausea, vomiting, vertigo, loss of appetite, cold sweating, skin pallor, difficulty concentrating, confusion, drowsiness, headache, and increased fatigue.[1] Severe airsickness may cause a person to become completely incapacitated.[1][3]

Risk factors

The following factors increase some people's susceptibility to airsickness:

  • Fatigue, stress and anxiety are some factors that can increase susceptibility to motion sickness of any type.
  • The use of alcohol, drugs, and medications may also contribute to airsickness.
  • Additionally, airsickness is more common in women (especially during menstruation or pregnancy), young children, and individuals prone to other types of motion sickness.[4]
  • Although airsickness is uncommon among experienced pilots, it does occur with some frequency in student pilots.[3]

Prevention

Travelers who are susceptible to motion sickness can minimize symptoms by:

  • Choosing a window seat with a view of the ground or of lower clouds, such that motion can be detected. This will not work if the plane is flown in the clouds for a long duration.
  • Choosing seats with the smoothest ride in regards to pitch (the seats over the wings in an airplane). This may not be sufficient for sensitive individuals who need to see ground movement.[1]
  • Sitting facing forward while focusing on distant objects rather than trying to read or look at something inside the airplane.
  • Eating dry crackers, olives or suck on a lemon, to dry out the mouth, lessening nausea.
  • Drinking a carbonated beverage.

Treatment

Medication

Medications that may alleviate the symptoms of airsickness[1] include:

Pilots who are susceptible to airsickness are usually advised not to take anti-motion sickness medications (prescription or over-the-counter).[1][3] These medications can make one drowsy or affect brain functions in other ways.

Non-medication based

A method to increase pilot resistance to airsickness consists of repetitive exposure to the flying conditions that initially resulted in airsickness. In other words, repeated exposure to the flight environment decreases an individual's susceptibility to subsequent airsickness.[1] Recently, several devices have been introduced that are intended to reduce motion sickness through stimulation of various body parts (usually the wrist).[7]

Alternative medicine

Ginger, but it is ineffective.[8]

See also

References
  1. Benson AJ (2002). "35". Motion Sickness. In: Medical Aspects of Harsh Environments. 2. Washington, DC: Borden Institute. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  2. Samuel, O., & Tal, D. (2015). Airsickness: Etiology, Treatment, and Clinical Importance—A Review. Military medicine, 180(11), 1135-1139.‏
  3. Antunano, Melchor J., M.D. Medical Facts for Pilots (pdf) Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. Publication: AM-400-03/1.
  4. Hain, Timothy C., M.D. (2006) Motion Sickness.
  5. Weinstein SE, Stern RM (October 1997). "Comparison of marezine and dramamine in preventing symptoms of motion sickness". Aviat Space Environ Med. 68 (10): 890–4. PMID 9327113.
  6. Spinks, Anneliese; Wasiak, Jason (2011-06-15). "Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (6): CD002851. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002851.pub4. ISSN 1469-493X. PMID 21678338.
  7. Bertolucci LE, DiDario B (December 1995). "Efficacy of a portable acustimulation device in controlling seasickness". Aviat Space Environ Med. 66 (12): 1155–8. PMID 8747609.
  8. Brainard A, Gresham C (2014). "Prevention and treatment of motion sickness". Am Fam Physician. 90 (1): 41–6. PMID 25077501.
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