For anyone who is worried about seasickness, spoiling there cruise, "Soundings" published an article by Jo Ann Goddard containing some excellent information about it's causes and various treatments. She quotes my brother who has spent many years studying it and I have personally found my brother's advice helpful for prevention.
Feeling seasick? You're not alone
By JoAnn W. Goddard
Seasickness is a normal physiological response to conflicting signals reaching the brain from the eyes and inner ear, as well as muscles and joints, over an extended period of time. In other words, what the eyes are seeing don't match what the inner ear is feeling.
On shore, the brain can predict the signals it will receive and can handle momentary changes. On a boat, the repeated and prolonged pitching and yawing disturbs the organ of balance in the inner ear. It's worse when there are additional conflicts, such as reading, cooking or studying charts.
Much research on motion sickness has been done to benefit the space program. Chuck Oman is an offshore cruising and racing sailor, as well as an aeronautical engineer and pilot. A renowned expert on motion sickness, Oman also is director of the Man Vehicle Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Most astronauts get sick at some point in their career, and it's Oman's job to find out why and how to prevent it.
Oman says nine out of 10 people have experienced some form of motion sickness, and virtually everyone with normal inner ear balance functions can be made sick at some point. That threshold can vary from day to day and can be affected by other factors, such as diet. Children are more susceptible. Studies show women are more likely to admit they are seasick, although Oman says there is evidence to suggest that men and women are equally susceptible.
The brain usually adapts to the moving environment within a day or two, hence the expression "getting your sea legs."
The link between the "balance brain" and the emetic center (part of the medulla oblongata thought to regulate vomiting in response to stimuli) isn't clear. This means experts don't really know why the conflict in the ear, or the vestibular system, can cause vomiting. But it frequently does. People also seem to fall victim to seasickness easier if they already have a stomach condition, such as if they are queasy from a hangover, a virus or overeating.
Oman, who lectures at safety-at-sea symposiums and prerace briefings, says the key is to act quickly. Most people wait until they are extremely queasy before taking a seasickness remedy. By then it is usually too late. Early symptoms include headache, fatigue, sweating and yawning.
"As soon as you have symptoms, do something about it," says Oman.
Left unchecked, the condition progresses to pale skin, clamminess, then queasiness.
There are several strategies for dealing with seasickness. Unless the person is extremely ill, the best place for them is on deck - particularly amidships or at the stern where the motion is less pronounced. Eyes should be kept on the horizon, and it's best to avoid reading, navigating and looking through binoculars. Also avoid diesel fumes. Don't drink alcohol, even before the voyage. Eat moderately and frequently, since queasiness seems to be more pronounced with an empty stomach. Crackers and bread are good snacks to keep on hand. Eliminate coffee and drink plenty of fluids, especially non-caffeinated sodas like ginger ale. Get plenty of sleep.
Try sitting upright, keeping the head and upper body balanced over the hips as the boat moves. Others suggest handing over the helm to the seasick person, providing they're not impaired. It forces them to use the horizon, waves, clouds and distant marks as points of reference. It also gives them something to do to keep their mind off the discomfort.
On long voyages, crewmembers will eventually have to go below to sleep if symptoms don't ease. People are less susceptible when lying down with eyes closed. Pillows or soft duffels wedged against them can help minimize the feeling of movement.
There are several drugs on the market that have been found to help prevent motion sickness, or ease its symptoms. Again, the key is to take preventive measures.
"If you're already starting to feel queasy and you take a drug, it's probably too late," says Oman.
Some drugs might not be effective for some people, and some can have potentially dangerous side effects. Experienced cruisers recommend finding out what works before leaving the dock. But consult a doctor before trying any medication, even over-the-counter drugs, since there could be side effects or contraindications with other medicines.
Non-prescription drugs for motion sickness include Bonine (meclizine), Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) and Marezine (cyclizine). They are members of the antihistamine family, which have been relatively effective in preventing motion sickness in some people. The drugs should be taken at least a half-hour before departing, though some recommend taking these pills at least four hours before. Side effects include dry mouth and drowsiness.
Ginger root has been used for centuries to settle upset stomachs. Ginger is available in pills, but boaters also have been known to nibble on ginger snaps or crystallized ginger. Ginger ale works for some. One drawback is that you don't know how much ginger is actually in some products. Like other remedies, it doesn't work for everyone.
"Some people swear by it," says Mahaffy. "Some people swear at it."
Sea-Bands, and other accupressure products, have become popular non-drug alternatives that are safe, non-toxic and inexpensive. The elastic bands are worn around the wrist and apply pressure to the P6 point, about 2 inches below the wrist crease, to quell nausea. There are no side effects, and the bands have been touted to help ease morning sickness in pregnant women. The bands aren't effective for everyone, particularly in rough offshore conditions.
Another product that works on the inside of the wrist is ReliefBand. Developed in the late 1980s by an avid offshore fisherman, the watch-like band emits an electrical pulse that is said to stimulate nerves and ease queasiness. The wearer can choose one of five settings. It sells for about $50.
"Studies have shown that [ReliefBand] is very effective," says Mahaffy.
It has been used by post-chemotherapy patients and pregnant women with chronic morning sickness. It is also one of the few remedies that may work for people who are already seasick. ReliefBand should not be used by people with a pacemaker, and some users may find the tingling feeling a little unsettling.
One of the most popular seasickness remedies isn't available in the United States. Stugeron (cinnarizine) isn't approved by the FDA, but is available in Canada and Mexico, as well as other countries. (It also is available through some Web sites.) It is an antihistamine, a calcium channel blocker and a vascular spasmolytic. Stugeron also is used to treat epilepsy, Meniere's Disease and migraine headaches. It has been shown to inhibit the vestibular system. While touted by many offshore cruisers, medical professionals urge caution in its use. Since it is available in a variety of doses, there have been known cases in which boaters used the wrong dosage.
If homeopathic or non-prescription medicines don't work, there are several prescription drugs available. Since there are side effects and drug interaction warnings, consult your doctor for the best alternative for you.
The scopolamine patch is one solution. The patch stems from NASA research, and for many years astronauts used a combination of scopolamine and dextroamphetamine (to counteract drowsiness caused by the scopolamine). But scopolamine later was rejected because of its side effects, such as personality changes, Oman says. Although rare, these side effects would clearly not bode well for an astronaut on an extended stay in space.
The main ingredient in the patch is scopolamine, an ingredient that has long been known to alleviate nausea. The patch administers steady doses of the drug for three days, by which time most sailors have acquired their sea legs. The patch was taken off the market in 1994 because of manufacturing problems, and reintroduced in 1997. It is extremely effective, Oman says, although the dosage can be too strong for smaller people. Petite women have been known to cut the patch in half, though a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted. Other side effects include dry mouth and, in some people, hallucinations. It isn't recommended for men with prostate problems. Scopolamine also is available in pill form as Scopace.
Also available are Compazine (prochlorperazine) suppositories. Phenergan (promethazine hydrochloride) suppositories are recommended by some health professionals, although most people become so drowsy after using them that they are unable to crew. When all else fails, Oman recommends giving the patient Phenergan and putting them into their berth, accompanied by a sick bag or bucket. Be sensible.
It also is important to keep the seasick person hydrated, so stock up on juices and water. He or she also should try to eat crackers or other bland food to stave off retching.
Chuck Oman is a veteran cruiser and racer - and an expert on seasickness. As director of the Man Vehicle Laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oman researches the causes and cures of motion sickness in an attempt to help NASA astronauts deal with some of the unpleasant side effects of space travel. He strongly recommends the pharmacological approach to mal de mer and hesitates to recommend alternatives.
"But there are a bunch of interesting methods out there," says Oman. His 25-year-old daughter, for example, used the ReliefBand to alleviate mild symptoms during a recent delivery from Florida to Rhode Island.
"She felt better," says Oman. "It knocked the tops off the waves of nausea."
There are dozens of remedies that haven't been scientifically proven but have gained acceptance among boaters. "If you believe they will work, they often do," says Oman.
Some boaters have found faithful alternatives to medicine, such as eating ginger or wearing elastic acupressure bands. A lesser-known alternative is Motion Eaze, a blend of seven herbal oils applied just behind the earlobes. Absorbed through the skin, the oil is said to calm the inner ear, calming the symptoms of motion sickness. The solution contains linalol, linalyl acetate, lavandulol, lavandulyl acetate, Terpineol, limonen and caryophyllene. Several sailors have recommended Motion Eaze, and since it contains no drugs or stimulants, it is touted as safe for children. Motion Eaze, available at
www.motion-sickness.net, sells for about $16 a bottle.
Other remedies include biofeedback and hypnosis. Biofeedback is a technique to control emotional states by training oneself to modify such body functions as blood pressure or heartbeat. Some have reported that hypnosis has helped them overcome seasickness by helping them focus on something other than misery.
A patch worn over one eye is touted as a motion sickness remedy because it decreases the signals being received by the brain. A line or belt cinched tightly around the waist supposedly will relieve nausea. The pressure helps stop that fluttery feeling inside and probably takes the afflicted's mind off his or her illness.
A Web search turned up horizon-correction glasses to prevent motion sickness. The glasses somehow ensure a view of the horizon, thus preventing sensorial conflict. The glasses retail for about $115. More information is available at
www.optic-tempest.com. The manufacturer of the reconstituted lemon juice, Realemon, say its product can help cure seasickness. A splash of Realemon mixed with one beaten organic egg white is said to prevent the nausea associated with motion sickness. None of the experts interviewed mentioned this method, but some did suggest drinking lemonade.
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