Mal de Debarquement (Disembarkement Syndrome)

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Mal de Debarquement (Disembarkement Syndrome)

Imagine taking the cruise of your life! You feel pleased that you gained your 'sea legs' quickly, and have a wonderful time at sea. However, after getting home, on terra firma, you still feel as if you're walking on your sea legs! You feel somewhat disoriented, you feel you are still walking on a rocking ship! You may have the following syndrome:

Disembarkement Syndrome is not an uncommon condition that causes a sensation of movement, after one departs a train, ship, or even after lying on a water bed. It can last weeks or years! Medical researchers do not think the problem comes from the inner ear, as in some cases of vertigo and dizziness. In fact, people who suffer from disembarkment syndrome do not experience vertigo, dizziness, nausea, or vision problems.

It is believed that the brain somehow adapts to ship/train motion, and in this condition, is unable to readjust once the motion stops. Some believe disembarkment syndrome is a variant of migraine headaches, suffered more by women, than men. Typically used motion sickness drugs, such as meclizine, diphenhydrinate, and scopolamine are ineffective.

Some medications such as tri-cyclic antidepressants and seizure medications offer limited efficacy. Another “remedy” is watching the horizon while walking.

According to The Hearing Review, there are several theories as to why symptoms persist.

These include:

1) Possible abnormal perception of linear acceleration, the result of a dysfunction of the otolith system—specifically the utricle;

2) A possible hormonal imbalance having an interaction with the vestibular system and brain, which would explain the greater female prevalence of the condition;

3) The central nervous system’s inability to integrate and adjust to the requirements of a new stable environment;

4) Hain, Hanna & Rheinberger⁷ suggest that, because of the gender distribution and the late onset of the symptoms, a psychogenic origin was unlikely (however, psychogenic factors cannot be totally dismissed).
http://www.hearingreview.com/issues/articles/2002-10_03.asp

Read about one woman’s experience here:
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=5994102