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Mal de Debarquement

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Mal de Debarquementis not the name you expected.

Synonyms

MdDS

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a rare and little understood disorder of the body’s balance system (vestibular system) and refers to the rocking sensation and/or sense of imbalance that persists for an excessive length of time after an ocean cruise, plane flight or other motion experience. Most people after exposure to an ocean trip or long airplane ride will experience "motion" after the event is over and for a short period of time. But for persons with MdDS, these sensations may last for six months or a year or even many years. Symptoms may diminish in time or periodically disappear and reappear after days, months, or years, sometimes after another motion experience or sometimes spontaneously. This syndrome is probably more common than the literature might lead us to believe, as the level of awareness in the general population as well as among health personnel is very low.

The disproportionate length of time over which the discomfort persists is normally unaccompanied by nausea, nor is it responsive to motion-sickness drugs.

For reasons that are not understood, women are overwhelmingly more likely to come down with MdDS than are men. However, most studies so far have disavowed hormones as a cause.

Resources

Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA)
P.O. Box 13305
Portland
OR
97213
USA
Tel: (503)229-7705
Fax: (503)229-8064
800: (800)837-8428
veda@vestibular.org
http://www.vestibular.org

EAR (Education and Auditory Research) Foundation
P.O. Box 330867
Nashville
TN
37203
Tel: (615)627-2724
800: (800)545-4327
TDD: (615)284-7849
suzanne@earfoundation.org
http://www.earfoundation.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda
MD
20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
800: (800)352-9424
braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

MdDS Balance Disorder Foundation
22406 Shannondell Drive
Audubon
PA
19403
USA
Tel: (215)542-9167
mddsfoundation@yahoo.com
http://www.mddsfoundation.org

American Academy of Audiology
11730 Plaza America
#300
Reston
VA
20190
Tel: (703)790-8466
Fax: (703)790-8631
800: (800)222-2336
info@audiology.org
http://www.audiology.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 5/6/2008
Copyright 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: May 06, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.