The ups and downs of motion sickness.

OVERVIEW: Nearly everyone will experience motion sickness at some point. It's thought to be caused by confusion among the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems; the associated nausea is thought to involve neurons in the hypothalamus and a portion of the cerebral cortex. Although many remedies are available, none has been proven to be effective for everyone. Pharma cologic treatments include antihistamines, scopolamine, and gingerroot. Nonpharmacologic treatments include efforts to control gastric motility, such as wearing a wristband that stimulates the P6 acupressure point, and efforts to affect the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems, such as facing forward, riding at the front of a boat, and looking toward the horizon, among others. Nurses can help patients find the remedy that works best for them.