mal de débarquement syndrome

mal de débarquement

A rare condition characterised by a persistent sensation of rocking or swaying motion that occurs after alighting (disembarking) from a ship, less commonly from an airplane or train, which can last for days, weeks or months. It is far more common in middle-aged women; it responds poorly to vestibular suppressants used for motion sickness (e.g., meclizine HCl, transdermal scopolamine), but may respond to benzodiazepines.

mal de débarquement syndrome

(măl dĕ dĕ-bărk-mŏn′) [Fr., lit. “disembarking sickness”] A persistent sensation of rocking, vertigo, or imbalance that occurs as an aftereffect of travel, esp. aboard a ship. This form of motion sickness occurs more often in women than in men.