Seasickness Cause and Cures

There is nothing you won't like more than being seasick during a fun day boating. Whether you are a land lover or a veteran seafarer, seasickness can still strike you.

What is seasickness?

Seasickness or it's more accurate name, motion sickness is a very common disturbance of the inner ear. It is caused by repeated motion from a vehicle or any other movements that disturb the inner ear.

So if, for example, you’re traveling at 10 knots, your eyes tell your brain that you’re moving, but your ears tell your brain that you’re sitting still.

Your brain can’t deal with the mismatch of information and reacts with the symptoms of travel sickness. Which leads us nicely to…

What are the symptoms of seasickness?

Nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms caused by motion sickness, but they’re not the only ones. It also can cause cold sweats, headaches, and pain. Sometimes your skin may be pale, or you might get sleepy or have more saliva.

Lots of yawning can be the first sign of motion sickness. And some people get more and more irritable.

How to prevent seasickness?

"Prevention is better than cure" as the old saying goes. It couldn't be more true if you are easily get seasick. Here are some tips to prevent seasickness in your future sails!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. 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.

What are the cure to seasickness?

• Looking at the horizon. One common suggestion is to simply look out of the window of the moving vehicle and to gaze toward the horizon in the direction of travel. This helps to re-orient the inner sense of balance by providing a visual reaffirmation of motion.

• Keeping eyes closed and napping. In the night, or in a ship without windows, it is helpful to simply close one's eyes, or if possible, take a nap. This resolves the input conflict between the eyes and the inner ear.

• Chewing. Chewing gum is a simple way of reducing motion sickness. Chewing gum, however, is not the only thing one may chew to relieve mild effects of seasickness, snacking on sweets, or just chewing in general seems to reduce adverse effects of the conflict between vision and balance.

• 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. 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.

• Ginger. Ginger has been found to reduce motion sickness. This is available in tablet form, or a fresh stem of ginger can be chewed to relieve symptoms. There is some debate over whether it is the chewing or the ginger that helps.

If you want to use over the counter or any medications for curing or preventing seasickness, it would be best to consult your doctor before you do so.

There you have it, next time you're on your Princess yacht and feel a bit seasick, just read and remember that tips we have for you so you can enjoy and relax in your next sea trips!