Motion sickness Information | Mount Sinai

Signs and Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of motion sickness include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Pale skin
• Cold sweats
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Increased salivation
• Fatigue

Causes

Motion sickness happens when the body, the inner ear, and the eyes send conflicting signals to the brain. This most often happens when you are in a car, boat, or airplane, but it may also happen on flight simulators or amusement park rides. From inside a ship’s cabin, your inner ear may sense rolling motions that your eyes cannot see. On the other hand, your eyes may see movement on a “virtual reality” ride that your body does not feel. Even viewing a 3D movie may cause symptoms of motion sickness.

Once a person gets used to the movement and the motion stops, symptoms may come back (although usually only briefly). Sometimes just thinking about movement can cause fear and symptoms of motion sickness. For example, a person who had motion sickness before might get nauseous on an airplane before take-off.

Risk Factors

The following are the most common risk factors for motion sickness:

• Riding in a car, boat, airplane, or other moving vehicle.
• Age. Between 2 and 12.
• Gender. Women have a higher risk than men.
• Sleep deprivation.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• History of migraine, anxiety, frequent vomiting or nausea.
• Cigarette smoke or odors, such as those from diesel, gasoline, exhaust, or from certain foods.
• Poor ventilation in the vehicle.
• Sitting in the back seat or where you cannot see out the window.
• Pregnancy.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and find out what usually causes the problem. Your doctor does not usually need laboratory tests to make a diagnosis.

Preventive Care

There are several ways you can try to prevent car motion sickness:

• Sit in the front seat in a car.
• Keep your eyes on the horizon.
• DO NOT read.
• Rest your head against the seat back, to keep it still.
• Turn the air vents toward your face.
• DO NOT smoke.

If you have motion sickness on a plane, try these tips:

• Avoid big, greasy meals and alcohol the night before air travel.
• Eat light meals or snacks that are low in calories in the 24 hours before air travel.
• Sit toward the front of the aircraft or in a seat over the wing.
• Turn the air vent flow toward your face.

If you have motion sickness on a boat, try these tips:

• Ask for a cabin on the upper deck or towards the front of the ship.
• When on deck, keep your eyes fixed on the horizon or land.

Treatment

You can use medication to control your symptoms. If you travel often, you may want to learn to control, and prevent symptoms. Mind-body practices, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and biofeedback, may help. Other alternatives include:

• Changes to your diet
• Physical exercise
• Acupuncture

Medications

Medications for motion sickness may cause drowsiness. Pilots, ship crew members, or anyone operating heavy equipment or driving a car should not take them. These medications may help:

• Scopolamine (Transderm Scop). Most commonly prescribed medication for motion sickness. You have to take it before symptoms start. It comes in patch form to put behind your ear 6 to 8 hours before travel. If the patch is left in place, effects last up to 3 days. Side effects may include dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision, and disorientation.
• Promethazine (Phenergan). Administered 2 hours before travel. The effects last 6 to 12 hours. Side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth.
• Cyclizine (Marezine). Works best when taken at least 30 minutes before travel. It is not recommended for children younger than 6, and side effects are similar to scopolamine.
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Take every 4 to 8 hours. Side effects are similar to scopolamine.
• Meclizine (Bonine). Works best when taken 1 hour before travel. Side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth.

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

A comprehensive treatment plan to treat motion sickness may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies. Ask your team of health care providers about the best ways to incorporate these therapies into your overall treatment plan. Always tell your provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using.

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

• Avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty meals.
• DO NOT overeat before traveling.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Dry crackers and carbonated sodas (such as ginger ale) help some people avoid nausea.
• People who tend to have motion sickness may want to eat small, frequent meals.

Herbs

Supplements and herbs are marketed in the United States without requirements for safety or effectiveness. There are no credible studies showing that herbs used for motion sickness treatment are safe or work.

The following herbs are sometimes used for nausea and may provide some relief for motion sickness:

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Ginger is a traditional remedy for nausea and vomiting, and some studies show it may help with motion sickness. Other studies have found it does not work, however. Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you also take blood-thinners such warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. If you have a heart condition, talk to your doctor before taking ginger.
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Peppermint may help with nausea symptoms in motion sickness. Peppermint can interact with some medications. Ask your doctor before taking it.
• Black horehound (Ballotta nigra). Although black horehound is sometimes used by people who experience motion sickness, no scientific studies have been done to see if it is safe or if it works. Black horehound can interact with Parkinson medications, and may be harmful to some people with Parkinson or Schizophrenia.

Acupuncture

Some studies suggest that acupressure may help reduce symptoms of motion sickness in the same way as acupuncture. An acupressure practitioner works with the same points used in acupuncture, but uses finger pressure rather than needles. Acupressure bands are available commercially to help prevent motion sickness. Studies suggest these bands may help delay the onset of symptoms.

Traditionally, the acupuncture point known as Pericardium 6 is said to help relieve nausea. It is on the inside of the wrist, about the length of 2 fingernails up the arm from the center of the wrist crease.

Homeopathy

No scientific studies validated the use of homeopathy for treatment of motion sickness. The following homeopathic remedies are sometimes used for nausea:

• Borax
• Cocculus
• Nux vomica
• Petroleum
• Sepia
• Tabacum

Mind-Body Medicine

Biofeedback Training and Relaxation

Biofeedback training may help you relax. You may also learn to control your body responses to decrease nausea and vomiting. Combining biofeedback with gradual muscle relaxation may control nausea in a more effective way.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful in reducing the anxiety that some people with motion sickness experience.

Breathing Techniques

Rapid and shallow breathing often makes symptoms of motion sickness worse. Slow paced diaphragmatic breathing techniques have been explored. While it makes sense that slow, deeper breathing would help lower anxiety, more studies are needed to see whether breathing techniques really help reduce other symptoms.

Other Considerations

Prognosis and Complications

Although motion sickness usually goes away after the motion stops and causes no lasting harm, it can be devastating for people whose jobs involve constant movement, such as:

• Flight attendants
• Pilots
• Astronauts
• Ship crew members

People who do not travel often may get used to movement during a trip lasting several days. Even those who travel often may find that symptoms get better as they are more often exposed to motion. However, people who get anxious before a journey often have worsened symptoms of motion sickness. They may need help such as biofeedback and relaxation training.

Supporting Research

Brainard A, Gresham C. Prevention and treatment of motion sickness. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(1):41-46. PMID: 25077501 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25077501.

Chumpitazi BP, Kearns GL, Shulman RJ. Review article: the physiological effects and safety of peppermint oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;47(6):738-752. PMID: 29372567 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29372567.

Cox DJ, Singh H, Cox DM. Effectiveness of acupressure and acustimulation in minimizing driving simulation adaptation syndrome. Mil Med. 2011;176(12):1440-1443. PMID: 22338362 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22338362.

Crane BT, Eggers SDZ, Zee DS. Central vestibular disorders. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund V, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 166.

Ferri FF. Motion sickness. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2019. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:909.e4-909.e4.

Golding JF. Motion sickness. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;137:371-390. PMID: 27638085 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27638085.

Hass DJ. Complementary and alternative medicine. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 131.

Koretz RL, Rotblatt M. Complementary and alternative medicine in gastroenterology: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004;2(11):957-967. PMID: 15551247 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15551247.

Michelfelder AJ. Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting. In: Rakel D, ed. Integrative Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 111.

Murray MT. Mentha piperita (peppermint). In: Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 4th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2013:chap 105.

Murray MT. Zingiber officinale (ginger). In: Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 4th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2013:chap 140.

Palatty PL, Haniadka R, Valder B, Arora R, Baliga MS. Ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(7):659-669. PMID: 23638927 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23638927.

Streitberger K, Ezzo J, Schneider A. Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting: an update of clinical and experimental studies. Auton Neurosci. 2006;129(1-2):107-117. PMID:16950659 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16950659.

Stromberg SE, Russell ME, Carlson CR. Diaphragmatic breathing and its effectiveness for the management of motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015;86(5):452-457. PMID: 25945662 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25945662.

21 Motion Sickness Remedies: Natural, Medication, and More

You can do things that may help relieve motion sickness immediately, like looking out to the horizon. Some long-term solutions, including medications and vitamins, may also help.

Any travel — automobile, plane, train, or ship — may suddenly bring on motion sickness. Motion sickness can cause symptoms ranging from mild nausea to dizziness, sweating, and vomiting.

Before starting any new medication or supplement, you should check with a doctor. Some may interact with your current medication or underlying conditions.

Changing positions or distracting yourself when you first notice motion sickness may help ease your symptoms before they become severe. The following are some tips that may provide you with some immediate relief.

Take control

If you’re a passenger, consider taking the wheel of the vehicle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that motion sickness occurs when the movement your eyes see is different from the movement your inner ear senses. These senses may connect better if you’re driving the car, reducing your symptoms.

Face the direction you’re going

If driving isn’t an option, face the direction in which you’re traveling. Again, it may help disconnect your visual sense and inner ear. On a ferry, try moving from the stern (rear) to the bow (front) of the boat. Some people report sitting in the front seat reduces symptoms. In a car, consider swapping the rear seats with someone in front.

Keep your eyes on the horizon

You may also find that focusing on a stationary object in the distance helps with visual stimulus. Again, you may need to switch or move positions in the vehicle you are traveling in.

Change positions

Some people find that lying down makes their motion sickness better. For others, standing up may be a better position. Your options will depend on your type of travel, so experiment to see what works best for you.

If you’re in a car, leaning your head against your headrest may help by lessening your head movements. In other words, you may need to experiment a bit to find the best position for you.

Get some air (fan or outdoors)

You may find that opening a window or going outdoors may help with motion sickness. If the weather or your mode of travel doesn’t permit, turn the air vents toward you or consider using a fan to blow air on your face.

Nibble on crackers

Eating a light snack, like saltine crackers, may ease nausea. Foods that are heavy, greasy, or acidic may make your sickness worse because they’re slow to digest. You may want to pack your own snacks, which could include easy-to-digest foods like:

• cereal
• bread
• other grains
• apples
• bananas

Drink some water or a carbonated beverage

Sips of cold water or a carbonated drink, like seltzer or ginger ale, may also help curb your nausea. Skip caffeinated beverages, like coffee and certain sodas, which may contribute to dehydration that can make nausea worse. Other good choices can include milk and apple juice.

Distract with music or conversation

Switch on the radio or start a conversation to keep your mind off how you’re feeling. You may be able to distract yourself enough to feel better.

In a 2022 meta-analysis, researchers concluded that listening to music can help with post-operative vomiting, though they found little effect on nausea itself. Still, it is possible that listening to music may help a person prevent vomiting during their travels.

Put down the screen

People with motion sickness may have trouble reading books or texts on different devices. This happens due to the sensory disconnect between the inner ear and the eyes. So, if you’re focusing on something up close, you may make your symptoms worse

This can be particularly bad for video gamers or people trying out Virtual Reality (VR) technology. You may find that taking a break from the activity or switching to audiobooks, music, or napping can help.

A variety of natural treatments may also help you stop motion sickness. Remember: always ask a doctor for guidance on supplement use and dosage before starting.

Pressure points

Stimulating an acupressure point along your wrist called the Nei Guan (P6) may give you quick relief. Place the index, middle, and ring fingers of your right hand on the inside of your left wrist, starting under the crease.

Your Nei Guan point is underneath your index finger, between the wrist tendons. Apply firm pressure on one or both wrists for a few seconds or until the symptoms pass.

There are other acupressure points that you can stimulate to help relieve nausea or vomiting. Learn more about 7 Pressure points for nausea.

Aromatherapy

Certain scents, like pure peppermint essential oil, may also be helpful. A 2016 study found that exposing people to peppermint’s scent helped reduce post-operative nausea.

There are many ways to use oils, but inhalation has the lowest interaction risk, though experts recommend diffusing for one hour or less to minimize any potential risks. Inhaling a high amount of essential oils for longer than an hour could, in theory, cause nausea.

You may find that taking sniffs from an essential oil bottle or using an essential oil necklace is more convenient in a moving vehicle.

Try natural remedies

Herbs like ginger and chamomile both have research to support their use for motion sickness and nausea.

You can often find these supplements at a local pharmacy, health food store, or online. You may find that brewing tea with these herbs may help settle your stomach.

Licorice root lozenges

People use licorice root to soothe stomach ulcer pain, stomach acid irritation, and indigestion. It may also help ward off nausea and vomiting. Experts do not know how much it helps because many supplements contain additional ingredients that may also play a role in reducing nausea.

You may purchase lozenges in a pharmacy or online. The serving size will depend on the brand you purchase.

If these self-care measures don’t work, you may want to consider trying medical options available at your local drugstore. You can find medications in both over-the-counter and prescription forms.

OTC antihistamines

Antihistamines typically help with allergies. However, you may find that using OTC drugs containing dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or meclizine (Antivert) may help.

Children over the age of 2 can often safely take dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine, but you should speak with a doctor about their dosage.

You may become drowsy while taking antihistamines, so you may not want to take them if you plan to drive.

Scopolamine

Scopolamine (Transderm Scop, Scopace, Maldemar) is a prescription medication that comes in either a pill or as a skin patch. You apply the patch behind the ear for several days. However, you may notice some side effects, such as a dry mouth.

People with glaucoma or other health issues should discuss this treatment with a doctor since it may not be an option in certain cases.

Children, pregnant or nursing people, people with liver or kidney problems, or older adults should consult with their doctor due to the risk of serious side effects. There have been rare cases of lethal toxicity in children.

Promethazine

Promethazine is a prescription antihistamine drug used to treat motion sickness. It helps reduce the signals from your brain that cause you to vomit.

The dosage for adults under 65 is 25 milligrams (mg) twice daily, with the first dose 30 minutes to one hour before travel. Children between 2 and 17 years may take between 12.5 and 25 mg twice daily.

Speak with the child’s doctor if they have any medical conditions to ensure no interaction with any medication.

People who travel often for work and others who experience more severe motion sickness may want to investigate long-term solutions, like supplementation or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Take vitamin B-6

Doctors may recommend using vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, among other conditions, like anxiety.

Boosting your levels may also help with motion sickness, though more research is needed in this area.

Take 5-HTP + magnesium

According to an older 2005 study, low serotonin levels in the brain may be linked to motion sickness and migraine. Headaches may be related to the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

The supplements 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and magnesiummay help raise serotonin. In a large meta-analysis, researchers found high quality evidence for giving magnesium to patients having spinal surgery in order to reduce the side effects of nausea and vomiting.

Another 2019 study found that 5-HTP given to patients before elective surgery significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting and the serotonin levels in their brains. This is more evidence that serotonin can cause nausea and vomiting.

You can find these supplements alone or in combination at drug stores or online at retailers like Amazon. Seeing results with this treatment may take some time.

Speak with a doctor before using these supplements to relieve nausea and vomiting. Taking too much 5-HTP can also cause nausea and be dangerous at high levels. Taking too much magnesium can cause you to feel sleepy and have difficulty breathing.

Invest in acupressure bands

Wearing an acupressure band can help relieve nausea. People have been wearing acupressure bands for this purpose for centuries.

This practice has few side effects and little potential harm, so doctors often recommend it to relieve motion sickness or nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Acupressure bands are also one of the approaches to deal with motion sickness in air patient transport for both the patient and the crew.

These acupressure bands are often called sea bands. They’re applied to the p6 Nei-Guan point. However, more research is needed to verify and understand the effectiveness of acupressure bands.

Biofeedback therapy

Biofeedback therapy uses your thoughts to control physical responses to stimuli like motion.

People with vestibular disorders that cause dizziness, vomiting, and nausea may benefit from biofeedback. It is also recommended by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a way to relieve motion sickness.

With biofeedback, you can learn to respond to early signs of nausea with breathing, relaxation, and focus exercises. A biofeedback machine can show you how you progress,

To use this therapy, a therapist connects sensors to different body parts to measure things like heart or respiration rate. You then work with the therapist to control your responses.

This therapy is less commonly used in primary care, but you can ask your doctor for a referral or search the BCIA directory for certified therapists.

Your symptoms should subside when the motion stops. Motion sickness doesn’t lead to long-term complications. You may even get used to motion on a longer journey, like a cruise, after several days.

If your job requires frequent travel, or if the potential for being sick makes you anxious before trips, make an appointment with a doctor. Prescription medications or long-term options may help you overcome motion sickness.

The following sections provide answers to your frequently asked questions about motion sickness.

Is motion sickness psychological?

Motion sickness is not psychological. Experts suggest it occurs when what you see does not match what your inner ear is feeling. However, some experts suggest that psychology could play a role in motion sickness. The theory is that previous sickness may trigger memories and possibly worse responses.

Can you train yourself not to be motion sick?

According to a 2021 study, you may be able to train your mind to no longer become motion sick. However, additional studies are needed to fully prove the effectiveness of training the mind to stop motion sickness.

Motion sickness is an acute issue that occurs in some people when traveling. It can occur in cars, boats, planes, or any moving vehicle.

You can take steps to help alleviate your nausea and prevent vomiting. Solutions can include taking over-the-counter or prescription medications, using pressure points, focusing on a fixed point, and other methods.

If natural solutions do not work, you may want to talk with a doctor about your symptoms. They may be able to recommend additional therapies or prescribe medication to help

How to fight? No! How to forget about motion sickness and seasickness once and for all? – ILoveTravel

When you dream of going on a yachting trip and you had a negative experience on a ship, in a car, etc. What to do ??? So you want to visit uninhabited islands, enjoy solitude.

We will tell you a secret, in fact, you simply did not have a good mentor who would prepare you for going to sea, buy pills and rely on them as a panacea for motion sickness – this does not work.

It is very important to follow the rules and advice to never get sick, which we have outlined below. As in any business, one of the most important rules – is a positive attitude , think less about it, pills, preparation for going to sea.

What is motion sickness or motion sickness?

Let’s understand a little what motion sickness or terrible seasickness is. In fact, friends, it’s like mountain sickness, if you go to the mountains unprepared and don’t know what acclimatization in the mountains is and how to go through it, then you will 100% catch mountain sickness.

Similarly, seasickness. In fact, this is a conflict of brain signals. When you read a book in your car, your eyes are focused on the fixed letters, and your inner ear, where your vestibular apparatus is located, feels the car rock. As a result, vision tells the brain everything is OK, it doesn’t pump, but the vestibular apparatus says no, hence the conflict of signals and the production of histamine in large quantities comes – this is a hormone secreted by the cells of the brain, connective tissue and blood. It is involved in many processes, for example, in the appearance of allergic reaction , regulates the tone of the muscles of the alimentary canal , and in too large quantities causes their contraction and nausea.

Have you ever wondered why a car driver never gets sick or a yacht skipper?

Because they are focused on the road, on the horizon. Vision and vestibular apparatus give coordinated signals and histamine is normal.

You won’t believe it, but if a skipper is put on a yacht or a catamaran as a tourist, he can also get sick.

If the driver is seated as a passenger, he may also get motion sickness.

Therefore, the most important thing you need to do on a yacht or catamaran is to be as close as possible to the skipper, at least in the first days, and look at the horizon, as the skipper does, we give a 100% guarantee that you will not get sick.

You need to get used to and acclimatize.

Sitting in the cockpit browsing on your smartphone or going to rest in your cabin will only make things worse. In no case should you go to the cabin when the sea is pitching.

Well, we will tell you a secret, there are such routes, with short transitions , where no one ever gets sick – is Thailand and the Seychelles and Guadeloupe and Antigua with Barbuda, where the sea is calm and quiet, just need know when to go there! It is important!

What to do so that you never get motion sickness:

1. the first thing is not to drink alcohol the day before going to sea (it’s possible a little so that you wake up with a clear head, otherwise the likelihood that you will get motion sickness is very high)
2. sleep and rest after the flight before going to sea – this is important, during sleep the histamine level drops to zero.
3. a light full breakfast an hour before going out,
4. take a tablet from motion sickness 30 minutes before going out to sea.
5. take an active part in steering the yacht, setting sails, stand at the helm, take pictures, sing songs, look out for dolphins. Stay in the cockpit and look at the horizon. Positive attitude, games, jokes, pleasant conversations.
6. take lemon wedges (caramels, chewing gums, ginger tea) with you and chew them as soon as you feel discomfort.
7. Friends, and the most effective way is our branded one, which we tested on everyone who got sick on the first day: salted crackers, nuts, dried fish, etc. salty, and drink beer in small sips or Coca-Cola – a liquid with gases, as well as ginger root, also an aphrodisiac🌴 We give a 100% guarantee that you will forget about motion sickness once and for all 🙂 Enjoy 🙂

Motion sickness tablets:

1. Dramina. Traditional remedy. Two problems: you need to take it half an hour before the start of the pitching, after taking it you fall asleep, so you miss all the fun.
2. Kokkulin. French homeopathy. Does not work.
3. Aviamore. Patriotic. Take an hour and then dissolve a tablet every half hour. But it works and doesn’t fall asleep.
4. Bracelets. Special bracelets that press on a special point on the wrist. Helps a lot of people. It happens in pharmacies, called TravelDream.
5. Ginger. Candied ginger. Or ginger tablets (ginger powder in a gelatin shell). You can also drink ginger tea.
6. Vitamin C. From 500 mg to 1 g per day, as it helps to block histamine, which is responsible for the malaise.

Travel with I Love Travel – we will do our best to make your trip bright!

Follow the link and choose your adventure 🙂 https://ilt.ua/travel/

We will be glad to see you in the Team 🙂

Sea sickness. How to cope with it on a trip on a yacht

In fact, seasickness is not a disease at all. Rather, it is a painful condition, which, moreover, does not always occur. And since it is only a state, it goes away after the conditions that caused it are removed.

First, let’s understand what seasickness is.

What is called seasickness is a kind of motion sickness. Someone gets sick in a car, someone on an airplane. But the English admiral Horatio Nelson was swayed into the sea. But this, by the way, did not prevent him from winning the Battle of Trafalgar.

Why seasickness occurs

Our brain controls organs, movements, and indeed all life activity. He does this by evaluating the external conditions based on the information that he receives from the built-in sensors. Eyes transmit visual information – these are our photo and video sensors. The skin detects the temperature, and the ears are acoustic sensors, our built-in ultra-sensitive stereo microphone. There is also a tongue for tasting, and a nose for smells.

We have another rather peculiar sensor hidden from prying eyes. This is the inner ear, or as it is also called, the cochlea. Indeed, in addition to two ears, right and left, we also have an inner ear. This is the main sensor of our vestibular apparatus, a sensor that determines the position of the body in space, our built-in gyroscope.

The brain receives signals from different sensors, compares this information, analyzes it and reacts accordingly. On the ground, when we have a solid surface under our feet, problems usually do not arise. The signals received from different sensors do not contradict each other. But in the sea, when everything around is moving and swaying, the brain receives conflicting information. The eyes see one thing, the vestibular apparatus feels another. It can’t be, the brain thinks and concludes that he was poisoned. And in order to cope with poisoning, it causes a feeling of nausea in the digestive system.

Symptoms of seasickness and how to reduce the likelihood of them

Nausea is the main symptom of seasickness. But nausea doesn’t come on suddenly. At first, it starts to wobble a little. Then slightly nauseous. Before this, there may be a slight dizziness and even a headache, from mild to moderate. Most often, a headache indicates a lack of water in the body, starting dehydration. And dehydration, in turn, dramatically increases the manifestation of seasickness.

Hence the main principle: be sure to drink. And not only when it’s hot. In the northern yachting regions, such as in Scotland, Norway and Iceland, due to the cool climate, it is much easier to miss the onset of dehydration. So drink water, not just tea or coffee. They just vice versa bind water in the body.

Ask the skipper in advance if the water from the tanks is safe to drink and where the supply of drinking water is stored. Write your name on the plastic bottle with a marker. It’s even better if you bring a reusable hiking bottle with you. By doing this, you will provide invaluable assistance to the seas and oceans, because they are already littered with plastic that does not decompose or rot.

Seasickness Remedies

If you suspect that you may be seasick, for example the marine weather forecast is poor or this is your first time out in rough waters, check with the skipper the day before. It is better to start drinking tablets in the evening, on the eve of going to sea. And then in the morning and every 4-6 hours. Check the dosage in the instructions.

Tablets for motion sickness

Now in pharmacies you can buy many different tablets for motion sickness: Aviamore Dramina, Cinarizine are just some of them. They work differently for different people. But they all have one thing in common – they partially suppress the nervous system. Some act soothingly, others openly lull.

Means for the prevention of seasickness

According to my personal experience as an instructor, and I often have to go to sea with beginners, Cinnarizine (aka Stugeron) lulls much less than others, although it works no less effectively. In addition, it is officially recommended by the UK Coast Guard on board certified commercial sailing yachts.

Long-term prophylaxis

Another remedy is a special plaster. The most common are Scopolamine and Scopoderm. Usually it is a small circle, a couple of centimeters in diameter. It must be glued behind the ear, after which you can forget. These patches are very effective and practically do not lull. In addition, it is valid up to 4-5 days. There is really one “but”. For Cynarizine and Dramina, a prescription is not needed, but Scopolamine and Scopoderm are unlikely to be sold without a prescription. If you can’t find a band-aid in your city, at least try to get a prescription from a therapist you know. This prescription will be available in pharmacies in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Tobermory.

What should I do if the symptoms of seasickness have already begun to appear?

The main thing is not to panic and not dwell on your condition. Try to minimize situations where your sensors will send conflicting signals to the brain. Don’t stay in the cabin. There you will be swayed even more. And very quickly. Climb up to the cockpit. If you do not have time to get dressed, ask someone to bring warm clothes, do not go down yourself. And don’t forget your life jacket.

Take a break, look at the horizon. This will help to fix the eye on something motionless. Take part in the discussion of some interesting topic. Even through force. If you already have a little experience, it helps a lot to take the helm.

If you are seasick

If you are already seasick, it is useless to take pills. Ask for a bucket. And in no case do not hang overboard through the rail. With strong excitement, and it usually sways on a big wave, it is very easy to lose balance and fall overboard. In the northern seas, because of the very cold water, this is a serious incident.

What to do if the symptoms of seasickness have already begun to appear?

Do not be ashamed and do not worry if you suddenly get dirty on the deck. All traces can be easily washed off with a couple of buckets of sea water. If the sea is heavy, leave it until you arrive at the harbor. As soon as you are in a sheltered place and moored, you will immediately feel better. Ask the skipper for a bucket and a mop and wash everything overboard. Don’t be ashamed and don’t beat yourself up. Rocks everyone. We’ve all been through this and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

If you feel really bad

The best remedy is sleep. If you feel really bad, go downstairs, immediately lie down and close your eyes. Do not hesitate, otherwise you will be covered even more. Do not under any circumstances climb into the bow cabin. There’s a lot more going on there. The aft cabin is also not the best place. The least pitching is felt in the central cabin, where the mast is on top and the keel is below. This is the center of mass of the boat, the most stable place.

Don’t undress and don’t go anywhere. Don’t sit, lie down immediately, and ask for a pillow and bucket to be brought to you just in case. In no case do not read, do not watch videos and generally put your mobile phone away.

Even if you cannot sleep, lie with your eyes closed. Remember what happens when sensors send mismatched signals to the brain? And this is exactly what will happen if you lie down or even worse sit with your eyes open. You can’t fool the inner ear, because it feels that everything around is swaying, moving and jumping in different directions. But the eyes see only motionless walls, ceiling and portholes.

Water will definitely win

Be sure to drink more water. Dehydration dramatically increases the symptoms of motion sickness. And if you start to feel sick, you must definitely replace the water lost by the body. Otherwise, you will get worse and worse. Drink even through the force. Try to eat something. Apple, biscuits, dried fruits. Ginger helps a lot. And in any form, both raw and in the form of candied fruits, and even in the form of traditional British gingerbread cookies.

Ginger is one of the best remedies for seasickness.

In 2013, I took part in the multi-day offshore Fastnet Race. This is a pretty serious race. Rumba 608 miles from Southampton in England, all the way west across the English Channel, across the Celtic Sea to Fastnet Rock off the south coast of Ireland, and back to Plymouth in England.