What is debarkation syndrome?

Overview. Translated as “sickness of disembarkment,” mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is the illusion of movement after movement has stopped. It is caused by exposure and then removal of movement. Many people deal with MdDS after air or sea travel. Typically, MdDS resolves itself within 24 hours.



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If you are wondering how to get rid of land sickness after your voyage, many of the same strategies may help:
  1. Keep moving and taking walks or car rides to provide the missing sensation of movement while you readjust.
  2. Stay hydrated and get enough sleep.


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MdDS is different for each patient, so walking on beach is OK for some but not for others. Avoid virtual reality and driving simulator experiences. If you are still experiencing symptoms, it is recommended not to walk on a treadmill and to use an elliptical machine.

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The symptoms usually disappear within hours, but in some people, and more frequently in women, symptoms can continue for months or years, causing fatigue, insomnia, headaches, poor coordination, anxiety, depression and an inability to work.

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Mal de Debarquement or MdDS is a type of vertigo and imbalance that mainly occurs after getting off of a boat. The usual situation is that of a middle aged woman who has gone on a cruise.

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In addition, individuals with MdDS have high comorbidities with migraine, increased visual sensitivity, and mood disorders, e.g., depression and anxiety (1, 2). The association with stress should also be further investigated, since it is known that stress can exacerbate MdDS symptoms (18).

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No underlying brain pathology was detected by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Magnesium glycinate and riboflavin were initi- ated to reduce MdDS symptom exacerbation by underlying migraines. These supplements were discontinued after 1 month due to worsening of motion sensation.

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Most of the patients with MdDS I've seen had many of these symptoms and what made a dramatic difference for more than half was an infusion of magnesium, often combined with a vitamin B12 injection (another common deficiency). Some patients were already taking oral magnesium supplement, but it did not make a difference.

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Suffering from vertigo after a cruise includes many of the same symptoms as motion sickness while onboard: nausea, fatigue, unsteadiness on your feet, headaches and even confusion or anxiety.

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Bacterial diseases, such as enterotoxigenic or enteroaggregative E. coli [12] and campylobacter [13], are the most common cause of travellers' diarrhoea. However, on cruise ships, norovirus is the most common cause of outbreaks.

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