Motion sickness: what it is, causes and when to worry

Nausea is discomfort in the stomach and the feeling of wanting to vomit at any time, which may or may not lead to vomiting, and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as retching, dizziness, general malaise or excessive saliva production.

Motion sickness, also known as nausea, is a very common symptom that can appear in the first trimester of pregnancy, or can occur due to health conditions, such as anxiety, migraines, COVID-19, gastroenteritis, stomach ulcers, or conditions more serious, such as appendicitis, heart attack or stroke, for example.

Generally, nausea is not a cause for concern when it passes after a few hours. However, when it is constant, lasts more than 1 day or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult your general practitioner to identify its cause and begin the most appropriate treatment. In the case of appendicitis, heart attack or stroke, you should seek emergency help immediately.

Symptoms of motion sickness

The main symptoms of motion sickness are:

• Stomach discomfort;
• General malaise;
• Weakness;
• Dizziness;
• Excessive sweating;
• Excessive production of saliva.

Furthermore, nausea can cause vomiting, with symptoms such as opening your mouth and sticking your tongue out, as if you were going to vomit.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of nausea is made by a gastroenterologist or general practitioner, through an assessment of health history, onset and frequency of nausea, and associated symptoms.

In addition, the doctor may order blood or urine tests, imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, or pregnancy tests, for example, to help identify the cause of nausea.

Possible causes

Nausea is caused by various health conditions, as the body’s response to protect itself from infectious agents or irritants to the digestive system, but it can also arise due to ear problems, neurological conditions or hormonal changes, for example.

The main causes of motion sickness are:

Furthermore, nausea can arise due to the use of medications, such as oral contraceptives, antihypertensives, tetracyclines or antiarrhythmics, for example.

When to worry

Nausea is not a cause for concern when it passes after a few hours and without the need for medication.

However, whenever nausea causes difficulty eating or drinking for more than 12 hours, lasts more than 1 day or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to identify its cause.

Furthermore, you should always seek medical attention immediately if nausea is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Fever above 37.8ºC;
• Absence of urine for more than 6 hours;
• Lack of appetite and thirst;
• Drowsiness and tiredness;
• Pain or difficulty moving the neck;
• Intense headache;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Mental confusion.

Furthermore, you should seek the nearest emergency room immediately in case of symptoms of appendicitis, stroke, heart attack, diabetic ketoacidosis or intestinal obstruction, which are serious situations that can put your life at risk.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of nausea must be carried out under the guidance of a gastroenterologist or general practitioner, according to the severity and cause of the nausea.

Antiemetic medications are generally recommended by the doctor, such as ondansetron, metoclopramide, domperidone or diphenhydramine, for example, to alleviate episodes of nausea. See the main remedies for motion sickness.

Furthermore, if the vomiting was caused by gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiac or urological diseases, the doctor must indicate specific treatment for the disease.

Some recommendations are also important to avoid nausea, such as avoiding consuming very fatty or heavy foods, which make digestion difficult, drinking plenty of water or drinking teas, such as mint tea and ginger tea, which help alleviate the discomfort of nausea. . See how to prepare teas for motion sickness.