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Land sickness -

Land sickness is an issue that often occurs after exposure to passive motion, like traveling on a boat, car, or plane.

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Land sickness -

The official term for land sickness is "mal de terre," coming from the French language. Many people will feel it for a short period of time.

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Mal de terre -

However, in some rare cases, the sensation doesn't end. This is when "mal de terre" becomes a chronic condition with a new name.

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Mal de débarquement -

Mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a neurological disorder causing a persistent sensation of motion that doesn't end.

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Symptoms -

Symptoms of land sickness include a constant feeling of rocking, swaying, or bobbing—as if still on a moving vessel—after being onshore.

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Symptoms -

The symptoms can be unpredictable, with the sensation of motion typically subsiding when the person is in motion again, such as driving or walking.

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Symptoms -

Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and imbalance can also co-occur as symptoms when someone is suffering from land sickness.

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A neurological disorder - Mal de débarquement syndrome is recognized as a neurological disorder, as it's the root of what's causing a persistent sensation of motion.

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A neurological disorder -

The persistent sense of motion can be debilitating and leads some individuals to suffer from anxiety and depression as a result.

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A neurological disorder -

Although we know that the sensation is occurring in the brain and is a neurological disorder, the exact mechanism causing land sickness is unknown.

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Balance and motion -

It's believed that land sickness primarily affects the brain's balance and motion processors. It's most common in women between the ages of 30 and 60.

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The inner ear -

Mal de terre is likely to be caused by events in the inner ear. The fluid and fine sensors of the ear are what help us to retain our balance.

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The inner ear -

Tiny crystals inside the ear, that are held in place by fluid, help to monitor our balance in relation to gravity and motion. If these crystals become dislodged, a false sense of movement happens.

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Brain information -

The movement of fluid excites the nerve endings in the ear canal, and it's believed this is what sends information to the brain that the individual is in motion.

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Diagnosis -

There is no specific test for land sickness, so diagnosis occurs by exclusion, primarily based on the patient's medical history and reported symptoms.

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Prevention -

Preventing land sickness is challenging, due to the fact it's unpredictable and we don't yet know for certain why it happens.

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Prevention -

All that we do know is that it's commonly triggered by long boat journeys or other forms of passive motion, so avoiding these as much as possible can reduce the risk (which might not be very practical).

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Treatment -

Certain antidepressant medications have been shown to be helpful in treating those who are suffering from land sickness, but more information is needed.

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Treatment -

Other medications, such as those used to treat insomnia, have been shown to help others. Drugs for motion sickness, however, don't help the condition.

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Early intervention -

Early intervention and treatment for MdDS can help to improve outcomes for patients. Brain stimulation therapy can be effective for some. 

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation -

One treatment that's also shown promise in sufferers of MdDS is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a type of non-invasive brain stimulation therapy.

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Vestibular exercises - Vestibular exercises can help retrain the brain to adapt to the abnormal motion sensations experienced in MdDS. This is where a doctor shows you how to perform steadiness and balance exercises.

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Keep a symptom log - It's important to log your unique symptoms. Keeping a symptom diary can help track patterns and triggers, helping with diagnosis and treatment.

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Stress reduction techniques -

While not a cure per se, stress management techniques, such as meditation and yoga, may alleviate the severity of MdDS symptoms.

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Cut out alcohol and caffeine -

A lot remains unknown about the mechanism underlying MdDS, but some individuals find that avoiding caffeine and alcohol helps them manage their symptoms.

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Get support -

Support groups and online communities can provide an emotional lifeline and share coping strategies. They might also suggest ways to educate family and friends about MdDS, so they can understand and help the affected individual.

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Get support -

Awareness and education about MdDS are essential for improving diagnosis, treatment, and support for those affected. Research is ongoing to understand the condition better.

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Consult a neurologist -

Consulting with a neurologist or an otolaryngologist, i.e. someone who specializes in balance disorders, can help sufferers to benefit from more targeted care.

Sources: (Web MD) (Healthline) (British Sub Aqua Care) (Cleveland Clinic)

See also: Signs your brain is aging faster than you are

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