 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | | Other Preventive Measures. - Wearing trousers and long-sleeved shirts, particularly at dusk. One survey suggested that this measure may significantly reduce the incidence of mosquito-born disease.
- Sleep only in screened areas.
- Air-conditioning may reduce mosquito infiltration. Where air-conditioning is not available, fans may be helpful. Mosquitoes appear to be reluctant to fly in windy air.
- Do not wear perfumes.
- Minimize skin exposure after dusk.
- Wash hair at least twice a week.
- Burning citronella candles reduces the likelihood of bites. (Indeed, burning any candle helps to some extent, perhaps because the generation of carbon dioxide diverts mosquitoes toward the flame.) Smoke from burning certain plants, including ginger, beetlenut, and coconut husks, have also reduced mosquito infiltration, but the irritating and toxic effects on the eyes and lungs may be considerable, such as the citrosa plant. To date, no evidence shows much benefit but such methods are not harmful.
Motion SicknessAbout a third of the population is susceptible to motion sickness, with varying degrees of severity. The cause of motion sickness is still unclear. Some evidence suggests that, in susceptible people, motion triggers signals that the brain interprets as being unharmonious and which conflict with the brain's memory of correct position. It transmits this message to other parts of the body, which respond with sweating, nausea, salivating, and other symptoms of motion sickness. Other theories suggest that motion sickness is triggered by the body's inability to control its own posture and movement. Text Continues Below
More women than men experience motion sickness, with one study suggesting that this may be associated with gender differences in the ability to perform spatial tasks. Women appear to be at higher risk just before and during menstruation. Motion sickness may also trigger migraines, even in people who do not ordinarily have them. Alcohol intake increases the risk of vomiting. The following are some remedies tried for motion sickness:
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