A temporary illness, dubbed Coriolis Disorder, has been pinpointed as an explanation for symptoms of nausea and dizziness often experienced by those from the Southern Hemisphere living in Northern climes.
Coriolis Disorder is thought to be a physical reaction brought on by the brain’s confusion when water is observed to drain anti-clockwise down the sink.
For those whose synapses have been wired to expect liquids to drain clockwise, this could be the explanation for a range of unpleasant symptoms.
The disorder first came to light after a doctor in London reported a high number of Antipodean women coming in with what they feared was morning sickness.
When the majority turned out not to be pregnant, he realised another explanation was needed.
Now, a team of scientists from the Bethnal Green Medical Research Unit believe they have unearthed a disorder likely to affect as many as 3% of expats from the Southern Hemisphere.
The disorder is not serious and doctors say than symptoms should be manageable. Turning off the tap while cleaning teeth has been suggested as one precaution.
Coriolis Disorder – named after the Coriolis effect, which describes the different rotation of water on either side of the Equator – is thought to affect men and woman equally and is also likely to work in reverse, although research has not yet been carried out.
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