Space motion sickness: A common neurovestibular dysfunction in microgravity

This article presents a review of the current findings related to neurovestibular physiology, aetiology, and proposed theories on space motion sickness (SMS) during acute and sustained exposure to microgravity. The review discusses the available treatment options including medication and nonpharmaco...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurology India 2019-05, Vol.67 (8), p.214-218
Main Authors: Russomano, Thais, da Rosa, Michele, dos Santos, Marlise
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphetamines
Analysis
Astronauts
Blood
Conflicts of interest
Microgravity
Motion sickness
Nausea
SMS (Short messaging service)
Virtual reality
Vomiting
Well being
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Summary:This article presents a review of the current findings related to neurovestibular physiology, aetiology, and proposed theories on space motion sickness (SMS) during acute and sustained exposure to microgravity. The review discusses the available treatment options including medication and nonpharmacological countermeasure methods that help to prevent the development of SMS in weightlessness. Ground-based simulations using virtual reality, flight simulations, and Barany's chairs can be applied to study SMS and demonstrate its signs and symptoms to space crew members. Space motion sickness has been observed in approximately 70% of astronauts within the first 72 h in microgravity, having in general an instantaneous onset of signs and symptoms. Stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, pallor, cold sweating, salivation, tachypnoea, belching, fatigue, drowsiness, and stress hormone release have been documented. This can have detrimental effects on the well-being of astronauts in the initial phase of a space mission. Mental and physical performance may be affected, jeopardizing operational procedures and mission safety.
ISSN:0028-3886
1998-4022
DOI:10.4103/0028-3886.259127