title: A rationale for space motion sickness.
abstract: Space motion sickness (SMS) still remains a problematic nuisance for a majority of fliers during their first 1 to 3 days in space and is an enigma to all concerned after almost half a century of spaceflight and extensive ground and in-flight studies. There is no known etiology consistent with observed signs and symptoms, and attempts to produce pre- and in-flight countermeasures have largely failed. Some medications for motion sickness (MS) have been partially effective, but must be used with caution due to their side effects. A hypothesis regarding SMS that is consistent with current knowledge of vestibular physiology and with observed and measured phenomena during SMS is presented.
authors.affiliation: jwthornt@msn.com
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Thornton
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013026:Space Flight; D018489:Space Motion Sickness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*; D014893:Weightlessness / Q000009:adverse effects