Motion sickness, also known as seasickness, is an unpleasant feeling brought on by any type of motion caused by a disturbance in your inner ear. Some people have mild symptoms, but others are incapacitated by vomiting and nausea.
In medical terms, it’s a complex psychological reaction that mixes up the information sent to the brain from the sensory nerves, inner ear, and eyes. For example, when you are in a boat’s cabin, your eyes don’t see any movement. However, your inner ear sends your brain the signal that there is.
Causes of Seasickness
The queasy feeling you get when you are in motion is not just a feeling you experience when you are boating. It is also caused by:
- 3D Movies
- Playground Equipment
- Amusement Park Rides
- Virtual Reality
Groups Vulnerable to Motion Sickness
- Mensurating and pregnant women
- Men and women receiving hormone therapy
- People who have migraines
- Children between the ages of two and twelve
Symptoms of Seasickness
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Pallor
- Sweating
- Hyperventilation
- Shortness of Breath
- Drooling
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Mild Abdominal Discomfort
- Headache
- Focal Weakness
- Inability to Concentrate
- Increased Saliva Production
- General Uncomfortable Feeling
A few things that exacerbate the symptoms include:
- Fear or anxiety about traveling on a boat
- Insufficient ventilation
- Exposure to fumes
- Certain medications, such as narcotics, antibiotics, and antidepressants
4 Tips to Control Seasickness
Have Ginger in Any Form
From ginger candy to brewing a cup of ginger tea and bringing it on the boat in a thermos, there are plenty of ways to use ginger to lower seasickness. This remedy was first discovered by the ancient Chinese and has been used for centuries.
If you don’t like ginger, you can take ginger capsules instead.
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon
Having a point of reference that does not move is a great way to keep your seasickness down. This reference point can be the horizon. Instead of keeping your eyes glued to it, glance at it occasionally. Moreover, do not look sideways or down on the water. Everything moving past you will make you feel like things are racing.
Don’t Stay in the Sun For Too Long
Direct sunlight will overheat your body. Keep a water bottle in your hands and take small sips to stay hydrated. When the equator gets closer, the sun’s rays get stronger, which leads to dehydration. Add a few drops of lemon and ginger juice to make a seasickness tonic.
Avoid Strong Smells
Do not stand near the boat’s engine, maintain some distance from guests wearing too much perfume, and avoid eating food with strong smells. The clearer the air around you, the fresher and more alert your mind will stay.
If everything fails, bring medicine with you. Consult your doctor and ask if you can take Bonine or Dramamine. These OTC medications must be taken 24 hours before getting on the boat. You can also try PSI bands. They apply acupressure on your radial nerves and relieve vomiting. Some people believe they are quite helpful in keeping nausea at bay, while others say they don’t work. We recommend trying all these tips to find the one that suits you.
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