Motion sickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals about movement from your eyes, inner ear, and body. This common condition leads to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and sweating. This article explores how long motion sickness typically lasts, what factors influence its duration, and effective ways to find relief.
How Long Motion Sickness Typically Lasts
The duration of motion sickness varies considerably among individuals and depends on the specific circumstances of the motion. For many, symptoms begin to subside relatively quickly once the motion ceases or their body adjusts. Symptoms often resolve completely within minutes to a few hours after the motion has stopped, or within 24 hours in most cases.
On a short car ride, for instance, discomfort might ease soon after exiting the vehicle. However, on longer journeys, like a multi-day boat trip, the body may gradually adapt to continuous motion, leading to symptom reduction over a day or two. In some instances, “sopite syndrome” can develop, where fatigue, drowsiness, and irritability may persist for hours or even several days after the motion has ended. Rarely, individuals may experience “disembarkment syndrome,” where they continue to feel motion even on stable ground, with symptoms potentially lasting for over a month.
What Affects How Long Motion Sickness Lingers
Several factors can influence how long an individual experiences motion sickness. The intensity and type of motion play a significant role; low-frequency oscillations with large amplitudes, such as those encountered during a storm at sea, are more likely to induce and prolong motion sickness. Individual susceptibility also contributes, as some people are more prone due to genetics, age (children between 2 and 12 years are more susceptible, as are women), or pre-existing conditions like migraines or inner ear disorders.
The duration of exposure to the motion also impacts how long symptoms might linger. Prolonged exposure can lead to adaptation for some, reducing symptoms over time, but for others, it can exacerbate discomfort. Environmental elements, such as a lack of fresh air or the inability to establish visual cues, can worsen and extend the experience. Psychological factors, including anticipation and stress about getting sick, can also heighten and prolong the symptoms.
Ways to Quickly Find Relief
Several strategies can help alleviate motion sickness and potentially shorten its duration. Immediate behavioral adjustments can provide comfort; focusing your gaze on the horizon or a distant, stationary object often helps to re-align sensory input. Seeking fresh air, either by opening a window or directing an air vent, can also reduce feelings of nausea. Reclining your seat or closing your eyes can minimize conflicting visual information. Avoiding reading or looking at screens during motion is also beneficial, as these activities can intensify the sensory mismatch.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available to prevent and treat motion sickness. Antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine) work by blocking certain chemicals in the brain that trigger nausea and vomiting. These medications are most effective when taken 30 to 60 minutes before travel and can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Natural options like ginger, consumed as tea, candy, or supplements, have been shown to help ease nausea.
When to Consult a Doctor
While motion sickness is generally a temporary condition that resolves on its own, there are specific instances when medical consultation is advisable. You should consult a healthcare provider if your symptoms are unusually severe, persistent, or do not improve within a day or two after the motion has ceased. For children, persistent symptoms lasting more than 24 hours warrant a doctor’s visit.
Medical attention is also important if motion sickness is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as a severe headache, vision changes, or dizziness that seems unrelated to the motion. Signs of dehydration, including excessive thirst, dry mouth, or infrequent urination, due to prolonged vomiting, also indicate a need for professional assessment. Additionally, if motion sickness is a new experience without any prior history, especially in older adults, a doctor can help rule out other potential causes.