Laboratory Studies

The evaluation of motion sickness rarely requires any laboratory or imaging studies except on the rare occasion when ruling out another condition may be necessary.

A pregnancy test is likely to be the most useful additional lab study.

Imaging Studies

Imaging is rarely indicated except for persistent neurological symptoms lasting for weeks after the cessation of motion. A CT scan of the brain and temporal bones or an MRI brain scan help to exclude central causes.

Other Tests

Audiography and vestibular testing can be conducted in collaboration with otolaryngology and neurology.

Procedures

The bedside performance of canalith-repositioning maneuvers may be appropriate if the differential diagnosis of peripheral vertigo is considered, but it is not an effective treatment for motion sickness.

Treatment & Management

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Miller KE, Muth ER. Efficacy of acupressure and acustimulation bands for the prevention of motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2004 Mar. 75(3):227-34. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Lawson BD, Mead AM. The sopite syndrome revisited: drowsiness and mood changes during real or apparent motion. Acta Astronaut. 1998 Aug-Sep. 43(3-6):181-92. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Cha YH. Mal de debarquement. Semin Neurol. 2009 Nov. 29(5):520-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Wood CD, Manno JE, Wood MJ, Manno BR, Mims ME. Comparison of efficacy of ginger with various antimotion sickness drugs. Clin Res Pr Drug Regul Aff. 1988. 6(2):129-36. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Estrada A, LeDuc PA, Curry IP, Phelps SE, Fuller DR. Airsickness prevention in helicopter passengers. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2007 Apr. 78(4):408-13. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Spinks A, Wasiak J. Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011. (6):CD002851. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Nachum Z, Shahal B, Shupak A, Spitzer O, Gonen A, Beiran I. Scopolamine bioavailability in combined oral and transdermal delivery. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001 Jan. 296(1):121-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Gordon CR, Gonen A, Nachum Z, Doweck I, Spitzer O, Shupak A. The effects of dimenhydrinate, cinnarizine and transdermal scopolamine on performance. J Psychopharmacol. 2001 Sep. 15(3):167-72. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Author

Andrew Brainard, MD, MPH Consultant Emergency Medical Physician, Director of Emergency Medical Education, Middlemore Hospital, New Zealand

Andrew Brainard, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Chip Gresham, MD, FACEM † Emergency Medicine Physician, Medical Toxicologist, and Intensive Care Consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Director of Medication Safety, Middlemore Hospital; Consultant Toxicologist, National Poisons Centre; Director, Auckland Regional Toxicology Service; Senior Lecturer, Auckland University Medical School, New Zealand

Chip Gresham, MD, FACEM is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Chief Editor

Selim R Benbadis, MD Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Bioserenity, Ceribell, Eisai, Jazz, LivaNova, Neurelis, Neuropace, SK life science, Sunovion, Takeda, UCB<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Aquestive, Bioserenity, Eisai, Jazz, LivaNova, Neurelis, SK life science, Stratus, Sunovion, UCB<br/>Received research grant from: Cerevel Therapeutics, Ovid Therapeutics, Neuropace, Greenwich Jazz, SK Life Science, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, UCB, Marinus, Neuroelectrics Corporation, Longboard, Janssen, Equilibre Biopharmaceuticals.

Sections Motion Sickness
Overview
- Background
- Pathophysiology
- Prevalence
- Mortality/Morbidity
- Race
- Sex
- Age
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Presentation
DDx
Workup
Treatment
Medication
Questions & Answers
References

Motion Sickness Workup

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Other Tests

Procedures

References

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