Differentials
Migraine
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
May be indistinguishable clinically.
Presence of migraine may cause motion sickness to develop more rapidly in the appropriate setting.
Migraine may be accompanied by aura and usually persists for hours beyond the motion exposure.
INVESTIGATIONS
There are no laboratory tests for differential diagnosis.
Food poisoning
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Travel history or ingestion of high-risk foods may suggest food poisoning.
The acute phase of food poisoning is less likely to be associated closely with motion provocation and may persist after motion.
A combination of nausea and diarrhea with severe stomach cramps is more likely with food poisoning.
INVESTIGATIONS
May identify etiologic agents from fecal samples.
Acute vestibular disorder
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Dizziness and vertigo with nystagmus and gait ataxia will be dominant features that accompany nausea and vomiting.
INVESTIGATIONS
Investigations such as audiology or MRI of the head may exclude specific pathologies.
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