How can you prevent seasickness before embarking on a cruise. What are the best remedies for motion sickness at sea. Which medications effectively combat nausea during sea travel. Where should you book your cabin to minimize the effects of ship movement. Why does looking at the horizon help alleviate seasickness symptoms.

Understanding the Mechanics of Seasickness: Why It Happens

Seasickness, a form of motion sickness, occurs when there’s a mismatch between visual information and the movement sensed by your inner ear. This discrepancy confuses your brain, leading to a range of unpleasant symptoms. Dr. John Bradberry, medical director for Carnival Cruise Lines, explains, “Seasickness is the result of a complex physiological reaction to motion. It is a mismatch of information sent to the brain from the eyes, inner ear, and sensory nerves, such as in the feet.”

When you’re inside a ship’s cabin, your eyes don’t perceive movement, but your inner ear detects it. This conflicting information can trigger seasickness in susceptible individuals. Interestingly, people prone to one type of motion sickness often experience increased sensitivity to other forms as well.

Preparing for Your Voyage: Pre-Trip Strategies to Reduce Seasickness Risk

Before setting sail, there are several steps you can take to minimize your chances of experiencing seasickness:

• Ensure you’re well-rested before your trip
• Consult your doctor about appropriate antiemetic medications
• Choose your itinerary and ship carefully
• Pack essential supplies like acupressure wristbands and ginger products

Adequate rest is crucial, as fatigue can increase your susceptibility to motion sickness. Dr. Bradberry advises, “Missing sleep and feeling exhausted make you more susceptible to factors that can cause motion sickness. Wind down before your trip.”

Selecting the Right Medication for Seasickness Prevention

Antiemetic drugs can be highly effective in preventing or treating motion sickness. These medications work by counteracting the effects of chemicals released by the brain during seasickness. Common over-the-counter options include:

• Bonine (meclizine)
• Dramamine (dimenhydrinate)

For stronger protection, your doctor may prescribe scopolamine, available in pill or patch form. It’s important to discuss the best option for you with your healthcare provider, as some medications may interact with other drugs you’re taking or cause side effects like drowsiness.

Strategic Cabin Selection: Minimizing Motion for Maximum Comfort

Your cabin’s location can significantly impact your seasickness experience. Dr. Bradberry recommends requesting “a cabin mid ship and near the water line.” He explains, “The side-to-side sway and the up and down ‘seesaw’ pitch motion of the ship is minimized in the middle of the boat.”

Additionally, opting for a room with a window or porthole allows you to easily look out at the horizon, which can help alleviate symptoms. When booking your cruise, consider these factors to ensure a more comfortable journey.

Onboard Tactics: Managing Seasickness During Your Cruise

Once you’re at sea, several strategies can help you combat seasickness:

1. Seek fresh air on open decks
2. Focus on the horizon
3. Stay active and engaged in onboard activities
4. Eat light, bland foods
5. Use acupressure wristbands
6. Avoid potential nausea triggers

Fresh air can work wonders for seasickness symptoms. Spending time on open decks with wind blowing in your face can help align your visual perceptions with the sensations in your inner ear. Moreover, focusing on the horizon provides a stable reference point, reducing the sensory mismatch that causes seasickness.

The Role of Diet in Managing Seasickness

What you eat and drink can significantly impact your susceptibility to seasickness. Opt for light, bland foods such as:

• Saltine crackers
• Plain bread
• Pretzels

It’s better to have some food in your stomach than to sail on an empty stomach, but be cautious not to overeat. Ginger ale and peppermint tea are popular natural remedies that may help calm an unsettled stomach. Conversely, it’s wise to avoid greasy, spicy, or acidic foods, as well as alcohol, which can exacerbate symptoms.

Natural Remedies and Alternative Therapies for Seasickness Relief

For those seeking non-pharmaceutical solutions, several natural remedies and alternative therapies may provide relief from seasickness:

• Ginger: Available in various forms, including candies, tea, and supplements
• Peppermint: Often used in aromatherapy or consumed as tea
• Acupressure wristbands: Apply pressure to a specific point on the wrist
• Deep breathing exercises: Can help reduce anxiety and nausea
• Aromatherapy: Certain scents like lavender may alleviate symptoms

Acupressure wristbands, in particular, have gained popularity among travelers. These bands apply pressure to the P6 (Nei Kuan) point on the inner wrist, which is believed to help prevent nausea. While scientific evidence is mixed, many people find them helpful, and they’re a low-risk option to try.

Advanced Ship Technology: How Modern Cruise Lines Combat Motion Sickness

Cruise lines are continually innovating to improve passenger comfort and reduce the incidence of seasickness. Modern ships are equipped with state-of-the-art stabilization systems that significantly reduce motion, especially in rough seas. These technologies include:

• Fin stabilizers: Wing-like appendages that extend from the ship’s hull to counteract rolling motion
• Gyroscopic stabilizers: Large, spinning wheels that create a counterforce to the ship’s movement
• Anti-rolling tanks: Filled with water that moves in opposition to the ship’s roll

When booking your cruise, inquire about the ship’s stabilization features. Newer vessels often incorporate the latest advancements in this technology, providing a smoother sailing experience even in challenging conditions.

Tailoring Your Cruise Experience: Choosing Itineraries to Minimize Seasickness Risk

If you’re particularly prone to motion sickness, careful itinerary selection can make a significant difference in your cruise experience. Consider these factors when planning your voyage:

• Ship size: Larger ships generally offer more stability
• Water conditions: Some bodies of water are typically calmer than others
• Season: Be aware of hurricane seasons and other weather patterns that may affect sea conditions
• Port frequency: Itineraries with more frequent port stops provide regular breaks from constant motion

For example, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea tend to be calmer than most portions of the Atlantic Ocean. River cruises and coastal voyages often provide smoother sailing experiences compared to open ocean crossings.

Balancing Adventure and Comfort: Tips for First-Time Cruisers

For those new to cruising or unsure about their susceptibility to seasickness, consider these suggestions:

1. Start with a shorter cruise to test your sea legs
2. Choose a larger ship for your first voyage
3. Opt for an itinerary with frequent port stops
4. Consider a cruise during the calm season for your chosen destination
5. Book a cabin with a balcony for easy access to fresh air

Remember, even if you experience some initial discomfort, many people find that they acclimate to the ship’s motion after a day or two at sea. Don’t let the fear of seasickness deter you from experiencing the joys of cruising.

When Seasickness Strikes: Coping Strategies and Emergency Measures

Despite your best preventive efforts, you may still experience seasickness. In such cases, try these coping strategies:

• Lie down in your cabin, preferably in a position where you’re facing the direction of the ship’s movement
• Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths
• Apply a cool, damp cloth to your forehead
• Sip water or clear fluids to stay hydrated
• If symptoms persist, seek medical assistance from the ship’s infirmary

Most cruise ships have medical facilities equipped to handle seasickness and other common ailments. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if your symptoms become severe or persistent.

The Psychological Aspect: Managing Anxiety and Seasickness

For some individuals, the fear of getting seasick can exacerbate symptoms or even trigger them preemptively. Managing this anxiety is crucial for a enjoyable cruise experience. Consider these psychological strategies:

• Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or progressive muscle relaxation
• Engage in distracting activities that you enjoy
• Communicate your concerns with your travel companions for support
• Remind yourself that seasickness is temporary and rarely dangerous

By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of seasickness, you can significantly improve your chances of having a pleasant and memorable cruise experience.

Armed with these strategies and insights, you’re well-prepared to combat seasickness and fully enjoy your next cruise adventure. Remember that everyone’s experience with motion sickness is unique, so don’t be discouraged if you need to try multiple approaches to find what works best for you. With proper preparation and a positive attitude, you can set sail with confidence and look forward to creating unforgettable memories at sea.

Easy Ways to Keep From Getting Seasick – Digestive Health Center

Your dream cruise can become a nightmare if the ship’s motion causes you to become seasick. Motion sickness brings with it nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and cold sweats. While seasickness can be mild, for some people it can be completely incapacitating.

“Seasickness is the result of a complex physiological reaction to motion,” says John Bradberry, MD, medical director for Carnival Cruise Lines. “It is a mismatch of information sent to the brain from the eyes, inner ear, and sensory nerves, such as in the feet.”

Think of it this way: When you are inside a cabin on a ship, your eyes do not see movement, but the inner ear senses it. Your eyes are telling your brain there is no movement, while the inner ear is telling the brain there is. The result in some people is seasickness.

You can get motion sickness from traveling in a car, airplane, train, or even in an amusement park ride. “People who are prone to one form of motion sickness tend to be more susceptible to other forms of it,” Bradberry says.

Strategies to Prevent Motion Sickness

Here are some ways you can reduce the risk of becoming seasick:

• Be well rested before setting sail. Missing sleep and feeling exhausted make you more susceptible to factors that can cause motion sickness. Wind down before your trip.

• Take antiemetic drugs. A variety of medications are available to help prevent or treat motion sickness. Medicines for nausea are called antiemetic drugs. They include antihistamines such as Bonine and Dramamine — available over the counter — and scopolamine drugs, which come in pill or patch form and require a prescription. “Most of the medications work by counteracting the effect of chemicals released by the brain during seasickness,” Bradberry says.

  Talk to you doctor about which medications are best for you, as you may be limited by other medications you are taking. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness and dry mouth and eyes. Because antihistamines block messages to the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting, taking a medication such as Dramamine works best if you take it before you get motion sickness. So for best results, take the pill before you board the ship, if you’re going on a short trip.

• Get fresh air. If you are feeling seasick, it is often helpful to go out on an open deck or balcony and look toward the horizon. Doing so helps your eyes “see” the motion, which will then send signals to the brain more in alignment with what the inner ear is “telling” the brain, Bradberry says. Fresh air, especially wind blowing in your face, tends to help. It also helps to focus on something other than the boat’s motion, so try to keep active while aboard the ship.
• Request a cabin mid ship and near the water line. “The side-to-side sway and the up and down ‘seesaw’ pitch motion of the ship is minimized in the middle of the boat,” Bradberry says. You might also want to request a room with a window or portal so that you can easily look out on the horizon.
• Have a bite. The best foods are light and bland, such as saltine crackers, plain bread, or pretzels. Having some food in your stomach is better than having an empty stomach, but be careful not to eat too much. Also, you might want to sip some ginger ale: Ginger is a well-known natural remedy for motion sickness. Peppermint also may have calming effects on the stomach. Many people find that eating crackers along with drinking water or soda helps.
• Wear an acupressure wristband. These wristbands apply pressure to a point on the wrist, generally where you wear a watch. Many people find the pressure helps them avoid nausea, one of the symptoms of motion sickness. You can find acupressure wristbands in some pharmacies, or order them from online stores such as Amazon.
• Avoid stimuli that can trigger nausea. “Nausea is a hallmark of seasickness. Any stimulus that triggers nausea can aggravate seasickness symptoms,” Bradberry says. Triggers include eating greasy foods, spicy foods, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and juices, and large meals. Avoiding alcohol helps because, as a diuretic, alcohol speeds up dehydration and can lower your body’s resistance to motion sickness, especially if you are prone to it. Steer clear of any noxious odors and other people on the boat who are vomiting from motion sickness.
• Choose your itinerary carefully. If you know that you get motion sickness, you should probably only sail on larger ships and select itineraries that go through calmer bodies of water. The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, for example, tend to be calmer than most portions of the Atlantic Ocean. Also, newer ships are built with the latest stabilization systems, which help reduce the motion you feel.

Related: Natural Ways to Relieve Nausea

Don’t let seasickness ruin a floating holiday. Planning ahead and being prepared with a variety of remedies should keep you feeling ship-shape.

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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 deal with seasickness on a cruise (and not only) whether they will make a cruise trip enjoyable, or even put an end to your vacation.

True, the chances of this are very small: modern cruise ships are huge and are not very prone to roll (besides, they are equipped with special stabilizers), and the chances of getting into a storm in some Mediterranean Sea are extremely small. However, many cruise travelers continue to suffer from seasickness.

You will be surprised, but seasickness is not always caused by rolling. Scientists have found that may be just one certainty that you will get sick in order to make you feel bad . Yes, yes, people who are sure that they suffer from seasickness really endure even a calm sea worse than those who can get the rolling out of their heads. Here is the first remedy for you: just ignore it and it will be easier for you to be at sea.

However, there is also a physical predisposition and some people suffer more from seasickness, especially children aged 3-12 and women. At the same time, children under 2 years of age are practically not susceptible to motion sickness , and older people are less susceptible than young people.

An interesting fact: only 1.5% of people are absolutely not prone to seasickness, and even the famous Admiral Nelson could not get rid of it. On the other hand, there is good news: 95% of people adjust to rocking after a few days of cruising .

In any case, whether you get sick even in a car or you easily endure even the steepest turns of a roller coaster, it will not be superfluous to take precautions and take anti-seasickness supplies and medicines on the cruise. Eventually, you will be able to share them with others.

1. Prevention

2. Medicines

3. Traditional methods

4. Useful tips.

Sea sickness prevention.

The best prevention of seasickness is a good and trained vestibular apparatus. Sports (especially water sports), cycling and even torsion on an ordinary office chair help a lot in this.

But if you are not a sailor, yachtsman, acrobat or astronaut, do not despair. Our advice will help you cope with motion sickness:

1. Give up phone games or movies . Do not subject the already confused vestibular apparatus to additional stress.
2. Try not to look at the waves and objects floating overboard; it is best to look up at the sky or into the distance.
3. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol aggravates the violation of the vestibular apparatus , and not vice versa – it helps to get in time with the movements of the wave. Of course, after the first glass it may seem to you that you have become much better, and you will feel like an avid sailor, but soon you will see that this is not so. And especially do not use if you are taking medication.
4. If you are a heavy smoker, be patient, do not force your body.
5. On the eve of the trip and in the first days on board, you should not lean on fatty foods.
6. Soda and coffee can also affect the severity of motion sickness.
7. Sleep is the best medicine , including kinetosis. Get enough sleep before the cruise, fatigue contributes to a more pronounced manifestation of motion sickness symptoms.
8. Limit perfume use and other deodorants. Even your favorite smell, if strong, can make you feel bad on your first day on board.

Medicines for seasickness.

If you are worried about seasickness, you can take the classic motion sickness pills such as Dramina, Bonine, Siel or Benadryl. The action of modern drugs for motion sickness is reduced to the suppression of information “confusing” the brain, the acceleration of adaptation processes or the removal of symptoms – nausea and dizziness.

Many drugs have side effects: thirst and dryness in the mouth and nasopharynx, fatigue, drowsiness, restlessness, as well as a number of contraindications for use. Therefore, be sure to consult a doctor, especially if you have chronic diseases or if you are pregnant.

Folk remedies for motion sickness.

If you do not like medicines or you have contraindications, proven folk remedies can come to the rescue in the fight against seasickness.

The simplest of these is good old lemon (or something sour): just put one slice at the first sign of motion sickness. Vitamin C suppresses the production of histamine in the body and improves overall well-being. Yes, and generally useful. Salted crackers and sour green apples also help alleviate symptoms.

Another tried and true seasickness remedy used by sailors for hundreds of years, is ginger . You can take it in any form, but dried or candied ginger root is best: just 1 gram is enough before starting a trip. Gingerbread cookies or caramels will also help.

Acupuncture also helps to cope with motion sickness. You can massage a special point on the back of your wrist (where you usually take your pulse), or buy a special bracelet. These bracelets are sold for both adults and children.

Another good remedy for seasickness is any activity of . Swimming in the pool, fitness, running, water slides, dancing and even singing will help you get distracted and overcome discomfort. Plus, it’s good for health. Sometimes during pitching, proper breathing helps: the deck drops – inhale, rises – exhale.

A couple more tips.

1. Try to quickly acclimatize on the ship: spend more time on deck, breathe the air and look at the horizon more often to adapt the vestibular apparatus.
2. Choose an outer cabin in the middle of the ship : there is less pitching there, and the view from the window will help you get used to the sea faster (the exception is cruises in extreme waters – the sight of raging water there can negatively affect the well-being of people who are not used to it).
3. If you are going on a cruise for the first time, then itineraries with frequent calls to port and short sea crossings (Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, ​​Greek islands or Emirates cruise from Dubai) are not a bad idea. True, if you are particularly sensitive to sea rolling, then it is better to choose cruises in Northern Europe or Norway not in the winter.
4. The bigger and more modern the cruise ship, the better. They are less prone to waves, and the stabilizers minimize hull vibrations.
5. Don’t bother, try to have fun and think less about pumping. Psychological attitude and positive mood is a very important thing.

Strange and harmful advice.

There are many mysterious recommendations on the Internet that supposedly help, but this is not certain:

1. Put something valuable under the tongue: a ring, a diamond, a gold coin. The fear of losing her in (sorry) vomiting will keep you going. In our opinion, it is more like an ankedot.
2. Covering the navel with adhesive tape: a mysterious method of dealing with motion sickness, more like some kind of ritual. Can you experiment with sealing other holes, maybe it will help?
3. “Draw” numbers from 1 to 10 in the air with your nose! back and forth, and so on several times; even if it doesn’t make you feel worse, there is a risk that the orderlies will come running and apply more traditional methods of treatment (though not for seasickness).
4. Hold a magnet, a coin firmly in your hand and hold it for a long time (maybe an anchor right away?): the effect of a magnet in your hand on the production of histamine is unknown, but if this magnet or coin is someone else’s, then other effects on your body are quite likely.
5. Slight swaying or shifting of the legs (from heel to toe): it seems to the body that you are walking on the ground, but watch out for real rolling.

Well, that’s it…

…for today. With you was CruiseRadar – a friendly navigator in the field of sea cruises – with another portion of useful advice. By the way, today’s wisdom will be useful to you in everyday life, and not just at sea.

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⚓ All about seasickness

Differences in resistance to seasickness depend on ship size, sea conditions and previous sailing experience. Thus, if the provocative movement is active for a long time (for example, on board a ship during a storm), then in most people the degree of manifestations of motion sickness gradually decreases as they adapt to the rocking. The dynamics of this adaptation, as well as other characteristics of motion sickness, has individual differences, however, as a rule, noticeable adaptation occurs on the second or third day of swimming, and by the fourth, all symptoms usually completely disappear. Seasickness is rare among professional sailors. This is due to strict professional selection and training of the vestibular apparatus during training and subsequent work. But sometimes a person cannot adapt to rolling on a ship, even for a long sea service. The famous English naval commander Admiral Nelson spent many years at sea and, nevertheless, every time during a storm he suffered greatly from this disease. Approximately 5% of people do not adapt to rolling at sea at all, and they are subject to motion sickness throughout their lives. Persons with innate stability adapt more quickly to provoking accelerations.
Among other factors that influence the resistance to seasickness, personality traits (extroverts are more resistant than introverts), motivation, emotionality and activity of the central nervous system, as well as fear and anxiety are of great importance.
How can the unpleasant symptoms associated with seasickness be alleviated or prevented? First of all, it is necessary to limit head movements to a minimum, which affect the development of motion sickness, this is well known. You can limit the movement of your head arbitrarily, but it is better if it rests on an appropriate support – a headrest, roller, etc. It should be remembered that on board a ship experiencing motion, seasickness will be less pronounced with acceleration acting along the longitudinal axis of the head than along its anteroposterior axis.
It may be useful during swimming to reduce visual-vestibular mismatch. For example, while on a ship, at the first signs of motion sickness, it is advisable to sit with your eyes closed or fix your gaze, as noted above, on the horizon line or visible land.
A tried and tested remedy for nausea is a lemon, a slice of which should be put into the mouth as soon as possible at the first sign of seasickness. Less effective but still helpful are menthol caramel, chewing gum, spices, or anything acidic. It is good if the cabin smells of mint or pine needles (it is desirable to use fragrances).
Breakfast (lunch, dinner) before going to sea should be light, because both a full stomach and an empty stomach are an additional burden on the body. From food on the road, choose low-fat and hot food. Soda water, cake or cake with a lot of cream are not for you. It is useful to wipe the neck and temples with a damp towel. Hand massage will also help: put one hand on your knee, palm up. Gently massage with the thumb of the other hand under the wrist, and then with the index and thumb, the middle of the palm.
If a person experiences seasickness precisely in the expanses of water, then during pitching, proper breathing helps: the deck drops – inhale, rises – exhale.
In the long term, various types of vestibular training can be the most effective means of preventing seasickness: special physical and gymnastic exercises, volleyball, swimming, acrobatic trampolining, exercises on sports equipment: the Rhine wheel, triplex, etc. For passive – a swivel chair , swing, etc. With combined methods, active and passive exercises are combined. Such training not only contributes to the suppression of unpleasant vestibular reactions, but also improves orientation in space.
Active vestibular training is carried out daily in the morning before meals (eyes should be open when performing). All head movements are performed at a fast pace (about 120 per minute) for one minute, and after 30 seconds of movement, a pause of 5 seconds should follow. The whole set of exercises takes 8 minutes.
Starting from the first exercise, the complex is repeated and, if you feel well, perform for another eight minutes. At the end of the workout, you need to rest for two to three minutes.
The duration of the first classes is two minutes, and it is advisable to carry out the exercises while sitting. Subsequently, with each lesson, the training time should be increased by one to two minutes and, starting from the third to fifth lesson, movements should be performed in a standing position.
During training, coordination disorders are possible (up to a fall), for the prevention of which it is necessary to provide insurance to the trainee. If some people have pronounced vestibulo-vegetative reactions (severe pallor, sweating, nausea, etc. ), the session must be stopped.
In recent years, for the prevention of motion sickness, methods of psychoprophylaxis and psychotherapy, autogenic training with training in self-control of some vegetative reactions, using biofeedback, which allows you to control, prevent or weaken the manifestations of motion sickness, have begun to be used.
A large role in the prevention and relief of seasickness is given to pharmacological agents, the number of which is currently significant.
It should, however, be remembered that almost all drugs used as a means of preventing and relieving motion sickness have their own indications and contraindications. Therefore, before taking this or that drug with you on a trip, you must carefully read the corresponding instructions for its use. And be sure to test it on yourself even before the start of the sea voyage for individual intolerance.

Most often, so-called antihistamines are used to combat kinetosis – diphenhydramine, suprastin, pipolfen. Many of these drugs are familiar as allergy drugs, and the fight against motion sickness is “part-time work” for them. True, for some of these drugs, it becomes the main one. Aviomarin, bonin and kinedril are only sold as motion sickness remedies.

Kinedryl stands out a little in this group: in addition to the antihistamine, it also contains caffeine. And this supplement allows you to reduce the “inhibitory” effect of the antihistamine component – to reduce lethargy and drowsiness. But even despite the invigorating caffeine, kinedril could not completely get rid of the soporific effect.

It should be remembered that antihistamines do not act immediately (after 2 hours or more), but for a relatively long time. Bonin has a particularly long-lasting effect – up to 12 hours. Therefore, this group of medicines should be taken at least one hour before the trip.

Fast-acting drugs containing belladonna alkaloids can be attributed. Among them is such a well-known drug as Aeron, and not so often used Bellataminal and Bellaspon.

Among the official fighters against motion sickness there are also homeopathic preparations – domestic air-sea and German vertigoheel. These drugs act according to the classic homeopathic principle “like cures like”: they contain those components that provoke symptoms typical of motion sickness – nausea, vomiting, dizziness. But thanks to meager doses, they have a curative, not provocative effect.

Recently a biologically active supplement “Companion” appeared. This is also an effective remedy for motion sickness, containing natural plant products – peeled ginger rhizome and chamomile flowers. You need to take it 1-2 tablets 30 minutes before the trip. By the way, ginger has long been used by sailors. Chinese sailors chewed it to reduce seasickness.

None of these drugs available? Validol or Valocordin can help: they can be used as sedatives and antiemetics. Peppermint tea or peppermint extract can help in this situation.

To help people overcome seasickness or airsickness, pharmacologists have invented many remedies. But most of them have many contraindications and side effects. Natural remedies for motion sickness are absolutely safe, but at the same time they are no less effective than drugs.

Homeopathy
The best homeopathic remedy for motion sickness is Nux Vomica. The standard dosage for adults is 10 drops or 3-5 grains to be taken before boarding a vehicle. You can buy Nux Vomica at any homeopathic pharmacy. This component is also part of the complex preparations – the Russian “Avia-Sea” or the German Nux Vomica-Homaccord.

Ginger root
In ancient times, Asian sailors had a habit of chewing ginger during long sea voyages. In the early 1990s, scientists from the US Herbal Medicine Research Laboratory in Salt Lake City decided to test the effectiveness of this ancient custom and conducted an experiment with 36 volunteers who suffered from motion sickness. It turned out that the effectiveness of ginger root powder is superior to known pharmacological drugs for motion sickness. To get rid of seasickness, take one gram of dried ginger root powder before you travel. If you feel nauseous during the trip, it is worth “upping the dose” – drink some ginger beer or eat a couple of gingerbread cookies. Ginger caramels are also suitable – after taking them, do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for a while.

Acupuncture
Another piece of advice borrowed from sailors. Before the trip, you need to carefully, but tightly enough, tighten your wrists with elastic bandages, which are sold in any pharmacy. This simple measure will create a pressure drop that will save you from discomfort while traveling. In addition, the bandages will constantly act on a special point in the wrist area, which will help overcome nausea. If you are still seasick, for several minutes rhythmically press with a fingernail or a match on another point under the earlobe.

Proper nutrition
Before traveling, neither starve nor indulge in gluttony. The best option is a small amount of lean protein food such as cottage cheese or a piece of fish. During the trip, especially if you are flying by plane, it is better to refresh yourself with food that you have brought from home in advance. On board, they usually offer quite fatty and sweet food, which can only worsen the condition. Therefore, the best option would be to take a bottle of drinking yogurt or kefir with you, a small portion of cold boiled chicken or turkey. Especially salty and sour foods help to cope with motion sickness. Therefore, during the trip you can enjoy, for example, pickled herring, various pickles. Remember only that food should be taken in very small portions.

Cold compress
Scientists have shown that an ice pack applied to the head and neck during travel can significantly reduce the intensity of unpleasant symptoms, especially nausea. Ice can be replaced with a damp, cold cloth. This method is especially effective in combination with a warm heating pad on the feet.