Seasickness is a long-known condition, but is not yet fully understood. The main cause appears to be an incongruity between what you see and what your body feels as movement, including the effects of the inner ear. Begin your prevention efforts long before your journey begins, whenever possible. If you start to feel agitated or dizzy, or if you look pale or sweaty, get some fresh air and take care of yourself before symptoms get worse.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Get Ready Before Boarding
Step 1. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids and a light fruit juice or energy drink. Dehydration can cause the symptoms of seasickness.
Step 2. Eat soft complex carbohydrates
Most people set their stomachs better by eating a meal that is moderate, low in fat, and rich in complex carbohydrates, such as fruit and grains. Bring some fairly soft food (such as toast or crackers) to eat during the trip as a small and frequent snack.
If you've suffered from motion sickness before, you likely know which foods will comfort you and which to avoid. Trust your instincts
Step 3. Eat ginger
Perhaps one of the most common traditional remedies for nausea is ginger, which also has medical studies to support it. You can consume it in any form, but if you consume it in a chewable tablet or candy, it will provide the added benefit of stimulating the production of saliva, which can also help prepare your stomach. Start consuming ginger at least a couple of hours before getting on board, and up to 2 days before a long voyage.
Many sodas, candy, and gingerbread cookies contain this ingredient but in very small amounts. Check the labels and look for a product that provides at least half a gram (500 mg) of ginger every few hours
Step 4. Try other herbal remedies
Peppermint, fennel, and lavender are just a few plants that people consume to relieve seasickness. Its medicinal effects have been less studied than those of ginger, but any pleasant aroma or flavor can be distracting. Have a tea or suck on a hard candy made with one of these plants.
Step 5. You can wear an acupressure bracelet
There is no adequate evidence to indicate that these objects have a real effect, but they are easy to get and it does not hurt to try them. You can also mimic its effect just by pressing the inside of your wrists.
Step 6. Go to the bathroom before leaving
The facilities on board the ship are often narrow and smell bad, making them the worst place to be if you suffer from seasickness. If you're only going to be on the boat for a few hours, use them before you leave so you don't need to wear them when you start to feel motion sickness.
Step 7. Take dizziness bags
If your motion sickness becomes very bad, you will usually feel better after vomiting. Bring seasickness bags (or separate a bucket on board) for an easy way to throw up if you feel like it. Going to a smelly bathroom will make things worse, and leaning over the railing could be dangerous in bad weather.
Don't keep the bag in front of you at all times. Do your best to distract yourself during the trip, and keep the bag within reach but out of sight
Step 8. Stay sober and collected
Getting on board drunk, hungover, or exhausted can make the problem much worse. Alcohol is very dangerous if you plan on taking an anti-nausea medication, as it can increase the calming effect or lead to dangerous interactions with other medications.
Also, caffeine and tobacco can aggravate the problem by dehydrating you, causing an upset stomach, or decreasing your blood flow to the brain
Method 2 of 3: Decrease your seasickness while traveling
Step 1. Look at the distant horizon or close your eyes
Motion sickness is most likely due to the conflict of signals between your eyes and the balance sensors in your inner ear. Looking at the horizon in front of the boat will give you a more consistent view. If this is not an option, close your eyes.
If the movement in the bow is too much for you, go to the center of the boat
Step 2. Get some fresh air
Stay on deck whenever possible, and stay out of stifling confined spaces and unpleasant odors. It is best to choose the leeward side of the boat (the part away from the wind) in case you need to vomit.
Step 3. Stay distracted
Do an activity before you start to feel dizzy, and stick with it for as long as possible. Help steer the boat if possible, as this will help you anticipate movement and will require you to focus on the horizon. If you are a passenger on a large boat, distract yourself by counting the birds and boats you see.
Don't read or watch a screen. If you focus your eyes on a close point, this will be terrible for your seasickness
Step 4. Lie down
If nothing works, lie down with your body parallel to the side of the boat, with your head pointing toward the bow. This will decrease the sensation of movement and increase the flow of blood sent to the head, which can counteract the feeling of dizziness that some people experience. Keep your eyes closed, unless there is a convenient view of the horizon.
- A hammock will help decrease the sensation of movement from one side to the other.
- If you are in a bunk, place thick life jackets or other items under the mattress to create a V-shape between the mattress and the wall. Lie down in the narrow V so that you are leaning against the wall, restricting your movement.
Method 3 of 3: Take Medication
Step 1. Pick a medicine
There are many over-the-counter medications to prevent motion sickness. These are the most common options:
- Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or cinnarizine (Stugeron; not available in the US or Canada) are the most popular options. Non-drowsy versions are less effective.
- Scopolamine (also called hyoscine) and related anticholinergics are also common and effective.
- If none of the above options work for you, ask your doctor about prescription treatments. Benzodiazepines may be suitable for severe seasickness, but they can be addictive.
Step 2. Look for non-oral medications
If you think you might vomit, look for medications that do not enter through the stomach. Scopolamine is available as a skin patch and an intranasal spray, and both versions may be more effective than the pill. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) is available in chewing gum, which bypasses the stomach but is only used for immediate, fast-acting treatments, not prevention.
Step 3. Take the medicine several hours before leaving
The medication will be most effective if it is already in your bloodstream when you board the ship. In addition, you will avoid the problem of forcing yourself to take the medicine while feeling dizzy. Take the first dose at least 4 hours before leaving.
Schedule constant doses for a long boat trip, but don't exceed the recommended daily limit. Overdoses can lead to serious health problems
Step 4. Watch for unpleasant side effects
Many people experience drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision after taking these medications, especially if they are taken in high doses or used as a skin patch. If you plan to help steer the boat or operate machinery on it, do a test ashore to make sure the medication will not interfere with your work. Some children react to antihistamines by fidgeting instead of feeling sleepy, which you may need to try before traveling.
Seek emergency care if you have an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, chest tightness, or trouble breathing) or any serious symptoms
Step 5. Know the health risks
Ask your doctor for advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a serious illness, take another medication, or have an allergy to any medication. Children 12 years and younger should follow dosage instructions based on age and weight. Large doses of calming antihistamines can be deadly for young children.
- Many medications can increase nausea, including birth control and antibiotics. You can ask your doctor about other medications that you can take during your boat trip.
- Always talk to a doctor before giving medicine to a child younger than 2 years old. Dizziness at sea is rare in infants and young children; therefore, there are few cases in which treatment is required.
Step 6. Clear your sinuses
If you have a constipated nose or clogged ears, treat the problem before and during the trip. Clogged sinuses can raise pressure in your inner ear, which can aggravate vertigo and dizziness at sea.
Do not take medications for your sinuses and seasickness at the same time without first consulting a doctor. These often contain similar drugs, which could lead to an accidental overdose
Advice
- If you feel nauseous in the sea and don't want to drink water, keep it in your mouth. The thin tissues of the mouth can absorb fluids very effectively.
- Help manage the boat, if possible. If you can anticipate the movements of the boat, this is usually helpful.
- Some people go for carbonated drinks (and they tend to let the drink lose a bit of gas so that the effect is not too extreme). Others find that sodas make them more nauseous. Try them at your own risk.
- You may suffer from "seasickness" after a long boat trip. You can continue using the same treatments to lessen the symptoms until they disappear.
Warnings
- You should consult a doctor about any medications you wish to take, including those available without a prescription.
- Hold on to the boat if you are in rough water, as your balance could be affected.
- If you are going to stand to one side, you will need to hold onto the boat securely with a safety harness or something similar.