Mal de debarquement
Mal de Debarquement
Mal de Debarquement (pronounced: mal duh deh-bar-kah-mon) is a rare condition often associated with sea travel. The term is French in origin, with "mal" meaning "sickness," "de" meaning "of," and "debarquement" meaning "disembarking" or "landing." Thus, the term literally translates to "sickness of disembarking."
Definition
Mal de Debarquement is a neurological condition characterized by a persistent sensation of motion, such as rocking, swaying, or bobbing, experienced after a period of sea travel, flight, or even a long car ride. This sensation persists even when the individual is on solid ground, leading to a feeling of constant imbalance.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Mal de Debarquement is a persistent sensation of motion. Other symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety. These symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even months after the triggering event.
Causes
The exact cause of Mal de Debarquement is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to a malfunction in the brain's ability to adapt to motion. This condition is most commonly triggered by sea travel, but can also be triggered by other forms of travel or even by activities that involve motion, such as riding a roller coaster.
Treatment
There is currently no specific treatment for Mal de Debarquement. Treatment typically involves managing symptoms and may include medications to reduce dizziness and nausea, physical therapy to improve balance, and cognitive behavioral therapy to manage anxiety and other psychological symptoms.
Related Terms
- Vestibular system: The sensory system that contributes to balance and spatial orientation.
- Motion sickness: A condition characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue, triggered by perceived motion.
- Vertigo: A sensation of feeling off balance, often associated with problems in the inner ear or brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mal de debarquement
- Wikipedia's article - Mal de debarquement
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski