Ski Sickness

Abstract

Dizziness with illusionary rotatory or pendular sensations and dyscquilibrium accompanied by nausea and occasionally by vomiting may appear during down-hill skiing. It is proposed that the condition is called “ski sickness”. Ski sickness seems to represent a special form of motion sickness produced by unusual and contradictory sensory information between the visual, vestibular and somato-sensory system. The pathophysiology seems to be related to vestibular overstimulation from winding turns on uneven ground, insufficient visual control, specially on foggy days with reduced visibility (on so called “white days”), often in connection with minor ophthalmologic problems such as myopia or astigmatism and altered somato-sensory input due to the wearing of ski boots and skis. Psychological factors such as fear of heights, fear of mountains, high speed and falling may contribute as well as the atmospheric pressure changes in the ear when descending rapidly from high to low altitude. The symptoms of ski sickness can be relieved by vestibular suppressants. The present report indicates various characteristics of a series of 11 persons suffering from ski sickness.

Key Words:

• ski sickness
• motion sickness
• acute mountain sickness
• fear of heights
• effect oj atmospheric pressure changes to the inner ear