Are You Susceptible to Motion Sickness? Come on Baby, Do the MOTION QUOTIENT - the Doctor-devised Questionnaire

PARSIPPANY, N.J., April 10 -- So, you want to be an astronaut, compete in a round-the-world yacht race or tour Europe by bus. For some people only one thing stands in their way: susceptibility to motion sickness.

One of the world's leading experts in motion sickness, Dr. John Golding, Senior Lecturer of London's University of Westminster, says that almost all humans are susceptible to motion sickness, but some people are more prone to the condition that is caused by sensory conflict between the inner ear and eyes. For example, when one reads in a car the eyes are fixed on the page and sense stability, but the body feels the motion of the car. The mixed signals can cause the unpleasant side effects of motion sickness that may include sweating, drowsiness, queasiness, nausea and vomiting.

``There are many professions and activities where susceptibility to motion sickness is a risk factor,'' said Golding, who has studied the effects of motion sickness on the Royal Air Force and the British Navy. ``In fact, Lord Horatio Nelson, one of the British Navy's most legendary commanders of the nineteenth century, who suffered terribly from seasickness all his life, was purported to have told many a sailor 'If you want to avoid motion sickness, go sit under a tree.' ''

Fortunately, times have changed since Nelson's day and if you're susceptible to motion sickness, you can prevent it. Dr. Kenneth Dardick, a Connecticut-based national travel health expert, said, ``One proven way to prevent motion sickness is with scopolamine, the active ingredient in a medicated patch called Transderm Scop®. It's a prescription medication, so if you are prone to motion sickness on land, sea, or air, talk to your doctor.''

Dardick reminds patients that Transderm Scop should not be used by children or by those with glaucoma, difficulty in urinating, or an allergy to scopolamine or other belladonna alkaloids. In clinical studies of Transderm Scop, some side effects were noted, including dryness of the mouth (in two-thirds of users), drowsiness (reported incidence: less than one in six), and blurred vision. While using this product, patients should not drive, operate dangerous machinery or do other things that require alertness. Patients should avoid using alcohol. Physicians should exercise special care when prescribing this product to the elderly.

In addition to Transderm Scop, Dardick recommends other ways to prevent motion sickness.

     On Sea

      * Avoid heavy meals and alcohol
      * Keep busy; steer the boat if possible
      * Stay in the middle of the boat
      * Avoid staying below deck
      * Anticipate the motion of the boat
      * Keep your eyes on the horizon; do not read

     In Air

      * Sit in a window seat over the wing, where feelings of movement are
        minimized
      * Do not read
      * Do not watch or talk to another traveler who is having motion sickness

     On the Road

      * Sit in the front seat
      * Look out the window
      * Stop every once in a while to get some fresh air
      * Try driving
      * Do not read


                           Take the Motion Quotient

The Motion Quotient is a short self-assessment questionnaire devised by Dr. Golding to determine how likely you are to suffer from motion sickness. It requires you to recall both your childhood and adult experience with motion sickness. Take a few moments to think about your answers so that you get the most accurate assessment.

How often did you feel sick or nauseated in the transport or ride listed in the column labeled ``Stimulant''? Never (O); Rarely (1); Sometimes (2); or Frequently (3). If you have never traveled on or experienced the type of transport or ride listed, write N/A for ``Not Applicable.'' Write only one corresponding number or N/A in each box in Column A -- Before Age 12 -- and Column B. - Last 10 Years.

           Stimulant              Column A         Column B         Column C
                                Before Age 12    Last 10 Years     Total A + B

     Cars, Buses, Coaches
      or Trains

     Jetliners, Small Aircraft
      or Helicopters

     Ships, Ferries, Yachts
      or Small Boats

     Amusement rides such as
      swings, Big Dippers,
      Roundabouts or
       Roller Coasters

     Total ----------------------------------------------------->

                                                            (Double score for
                                                           four or more N/A's)


                                   Scoring

Total your numbered scores in Columns A & B and add them together in Column C. The minimum total score is zero and the maximum is 24. If you wrote ``N/A'' four or more times, double your score.

Interpreting your Motion Quotient Score

If you scored: 0-2: Congratulations! You are among those least susceptible to motion sickness (25% of the adult population).

If you scored 3-8: You are among those with average susceptibility to motion sickness (50% of the adult population).

If you scored 9-24: Hold on! You are among those with the greatest susceptibility to motion sickness and are the most likely to benefit from treatments that have been proven to reduce motion sickness symptoms.

Some caution must be exercised in interpreting your score. Although most people appear to be able to recall major events of motion sickness, any estimate is only as good as your memory of events.

To learn more about motion sickness and how to prevent it, visit http://www.transdermscop.com or call 1-888-726-7724.

Transderm Scop is marketed and distributed by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, Novartis Consumer Health manufacturers, develops and markets a wide range of branded products the purpose of which is to restore, maintain or improve consumer health. Key business includes OTC (over-the counter medicines), Health and Functional Nutrition, Baby and Infant Business, Vitamins/Minerals/Supplements and Ingredients and Medical Nutrition products.