The second system is the Visual system. Visual information supplements the information that the vestibular system provides. If we were to trip over a curb and fall forward, not only does our vestibular system signal the fall, but we also see the ground coming at us. On occasion the visual system can "override" the information the vestibuar system give us. Ice skaters for example, constantly use visual cues to help prevent dizziness when spinning and jumping. They learn to rely on visual cues and suppress unwanted vestibular signals.

The third system is the Somatosensory system. This consists of the position sensors in the joints and tendons, muscles, and the sense of touch and feel in your feet and hands. This system is sometimes thought of as the system that makes you aware of your environment.

All of this information is precisely integrated and analyzed by all system and then sent to the brain which sends signals to the rest of your body on what it should be doing based on the signals from all your sensory systems. With three systems providing similar information, there is built-in redundancy in our balance system. Redundancy is generally a desirable design feature of a system. The advantages are obvious. If one component of our balance system fails, everything just doesn't stop. With regard to motion, redundancy is both a blessing and a curse. In health it is a blessing, because it provides more sources of information, allowing smooth, coordinated movement. And even if disease should effect one of the systems, the other two can make up for the deficit. Redundancy becomes a serious problem when the three systems are at a variance with one another. A conflict in the information these three sources provide the brain produces motion sickness.

This conflict explains why motion sickness frequently occurs when someone is on a boat or is ridding on a roller coaster. Another common example is when one is reading in the back seat of a car. When your eyes are fixed on the book, your eyes say that you are still and not moving. However, as the car goes over bumps and accelerates/decelerates, your vestibular systems disagrees. This is why motion sickness in the car is very common for many people.

Certain individuals develop a susceptibility to motion sickness because of present conditions and constant environmental factors. Generally, people with an inner ear disturbances may be intolerant to activity in general. This is especially true for people who suffered a recent injury to their vestibular or balance system. It is also known that people develop migraines easily are more susceptible to get motion sickness. Persons with rare, central nervous system disorders of the part of the brain that processes signals from the inner ear may also be unusually susceptible to motion sickness. Certain individuals who are constitutionally susceptible to motion sickness and can develop sea sickness on ships, and a prolonged land sickness, when they get off the ship. This rare disorder is called "mal de debarquement", which is French for "bad getting off the ship".

Treatment of Motion Sickness

There are three main strategies to treat/prevent motion sickness:
1. Behavioral (avoidance, mental activities)
2. Medication (conventional, alternative)
3. Stimulation (alternative)

1. Behavioral Strategies for Motion Sickness
In the car: Sit in the front seat or drive and refrain from reading or other activities that takes your vision of the horizon.

Aboard a ship: Stay towards the middle of the boat and if possible, keeps your eyes at the horizon. If possible, always try to stay above deck and do not go down below where you can't see the horizon. This is where most people have problems Face to the rear of the boat, so if you vomit it gets blown away from the ship and not onto you!

On the airplane: Arrange for a window seat if possible. This will enable you to keep your eyes on the horizon and keeps tabs on where you are from earth. The front of the plane may also be preferable because it's usually less noisy and more convenient.

For food, eat bland foods: Crackers and bread, or bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. This types of food stay down easier.

2. Medication for Motion Sickness
Medications for motion sickness need to be taken at least 30 minutes before your scheduled activity. Persons with glaucoma or prostate problems should not take most of these medications unless so advised by their doctor.

Meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) - In the antihistamine family. Can cause drowsiness. Like other most other medications, it is best to take these before motion stimulation.

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) - Similar to meclizine. Liquid forms are available for children 2 years of age or more.

Cyclizine is similar to meclizine - It is suitable for children 6 years of age or older as well as adults. It is most useful in situations involving short trips (e.g. automobile)

Haldol, Thorazine - These anti-psychotic drugs have dopamine blocking activity which is useful for blocking nausea as well as stimulating stomach motion which helps clear food from the digestive tract.

Promethazine - This drug is one of the most effective available for motion sickness. One dose lasts up to 8 hours. Like the other drugs, it can cause drowsiness.

Diazepam (valium) - and related medications such as lorazepam and klonazepam. While these drugs are not traditionally used for motion sickness, some people find them useful in small amounts. These medications are very helpful for a related condition, MDD.

Scopolamine patches - These patches are sometimes very helpful. They are a time release form of an anticholinergic medication, scopolamine. Scopolamine is also available in pill format (usually given for irritable bowel).

Zofran and other serotonin-family antinausea drugs - These are powerful anti-nausea medications. They do not prevent motion sickness but they may prevent vomiting.

Other medications - Verapamil (a calcium channel blocker), phenytoin and carbamazepine (sodium channel blocker) are also sometimes useful. Buspirone (Buspar), and Beta-histine (Serc) may also be helpful.

Alternative Medications
Some of the alternative herbal type remedies have been gaining popularity for motion sickness. The most popular are Ginger derivatives, such as ginger tea, powdered ginger capsules, and even raw ginger between the teeth. Some people have seen great success with these herbal solutions, but becasue of a lack of any real reseach data, conclusions are unknown. The nice thing about these medications is they are widely available and cost very little, so they may be worth a try!

3. Stimulators for Motion Sickness
Stimulators are devices that are advertised to reduce motion sickness through stimulation of various places on the body (usually the wrist). These include "Sea Bands" and "Relief Band", among others. These devices are commonly just placebos. These devices usually have a trigger point like a small ball that keeps pressure on the skin. This pressure is designed to take someone's attention away from their in-accurate vestibular cues and concentrate on something specific. Some people do have success using these products.