What makes you feel dizzy & consequently nauseous?

Labyrinthitus – it was one of the worst feelings I have ever had.

Strobe lights; particularly white ones. It’s even worse if there’s a fog machine. Also, large groups of people.

Citrus, mainly oranges. The smell nauseates me terribly. Whether it be an actual orange or an orange scented candle or citrus scented air freshener. Makes me sick.

Alcohol.

Flips. I used to be able to flip like a coin but not long ago I tried one on the trampoline and almost barfed. Even off the diving board I will be a discombobulated under water for a spell after the flip!

This is fucked up, i’m actually feeling slightly wonky just thinking about it.I may have a mild form of what @janbb referred to.I have had problems with my ears in the recent past.

@Cruiser That reminded me. I used to do somersaults all over the yard when I was a girl. After I had my second kid, I was in a Mommy and Me class and did a somersault and nearly barfed from dizziness. Have never attempted one again.

I don’t do this much anymore…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgVHoWAJ0Nw

I really shouldn’t look between the slats of the wooden pedestrian path while walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, is all I’m saying.

Reading in the back seat of a car for an hour or more and when I get very angry or upset.

Oooh, me too, @Neizvestnaya! I forgot about that one, because I don’t do it! On a bus, train or boat, I’m fine. Try to read in a car? After 2 minutes, I’m ready to hurl.

Flying. Actually thinking about flying.

I was in the park with my son the other day and I went on the swings for the first time in years. After a few swings I felt like I was about to up-chuck my whole stomach!

@jeanmay That happened to me years back when I got the kids a swing set. Didn’t take long to get my swing legs back though. I love to swing!

@Cruiser Yeah, I used to love to swing! I don’t get why our stomachs get less strong as we get older. I used to be able to watch graphic medical shows on tv, but now I pretty much blanch at the mere mention of blood. Guess I’ll give that swing another go, see if I can retrain my innards!

I’ve felt like that on swings too as an adult. I wonder why we do get more sensitive?

I haven’t at all yet. Nor on roller coasters. Perhaps it’s a genetic thing for most people.

@janbb: The reason we get more sensitive is mostly due to the adage: “If you don’t use it, you lose it”. Had we continued tumbling, swinging, flipping and riding roller-coasters like we did in our youth, our inner ear (labyrinth) would still be accustomed to such rapid position changes. But as we get older, most of us become increasingly more sedentary, or even those of us that are active tend to stick with exercises that don’t task the vestibular system that much (e.g. bicycling, running, aerobics).

@aprilsimnel: You’re still relatively young… keep active so that your system will sustain a comfort level with those types of movements.

And yes, there are medical conditions (genetic, congenital, or illness/medication related) that can contribute to motion sickness – which is what most of the above respondents describe. Many people with motion sickness also have migraine headaches or migraine aura without headaches.

People who have had ear pathology in the past, such as labyrinthitis or inner ear infection, are also prone to having residual issues with dysequilibrium and motion sickness. There are also chronic conditions, such as Meniere’s Disease, that cause people to have acute attacks of vertigo and/or lingering balance problems.

There is also a high correlation between anxiety and vestibular symptoms. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell which is the primary issue.

If anyone suspects that they have an inner ear illness or disorder – especially if your dizziness is accompanied by hearing changes, tinnitus (sounds inside the ear or head), headache, pain or fever – please consult an Ear specialist, who will order testing of your hearing and vestibular system. If there are associated heart palpitations, shortness of breath, vision changes, or loss of consciousness – get to the Emergency Room, or if you are not currently having symptoms see you Primary Physician as soon as possible.

Yay for @hearkat – every site should have a resident audiologist!

@hearkat Wow how very interesting. If I go by your list…

Sedentary lifestyle: check
Migraine headaches: check
Ear infection: check (if otitis media counts?)
Meniere’s disease: check (OK well not me, but my mum)
Anxiety: check checkity check
Tinnitus: check

Age: 28

Oh dear me! Auditorily doomed!

@jeanmay: The sedentary lifestyle can be changed. The migraine and anxiety can be medically controlled if behavioral and dietary/lifestyle changes aren’t enough. Middle ear infection is usually only a factor while the infection is present. Just because mom has been diagnosed with Meniere’s doesn’t mean you’ll get it, and again, dietary changes (low sodium) help control it. Tinnitus may be related to those other conditions, including anxiety (because the anxious patients have a harder time distracting themselves from it); and so you may find it is less bothersome once you are taking the necessary steps to be as healthy and fit as possible.

Convince yourself that you are doomed, and you most certainly will be… it’s the self-fulfilling prophecy. Try convincing yourself that you have the power to make positive changes, so that it won’t get as bad as it might if you don’t take good care of yourself. Best wishes!

@hearkat You are so kind. Just today my friend was badgering me about joining the gym with her; perhaps not a bad idea!

Climbing ladders. Even going up two steps to remove curtains from my windows makes me feel nauseous!