How to Get Rid of Seasickness?

If we were going to be cruel or were trying to be humorous, we might reply that the best way to prevent seasickness is to stay off the sea. Keep your two feet firmly planted on the ground and you won’t have to worry about becoming seasick. But, in all seriousness, there are ways to prevent seasickness when you are going to be aboard ship or on a smaller vessel. There are even a few steps you can take to overcome a bout of this illness once it begins.

First, a Word about Seasickness
Preventing seasickness is not all that difficult, though there are no guarantees. It’s more likely that you will become ill when you are on a small boat that is not in motion. The natural movement of the water, along with the strong odors that will be in the air, can push even those with strong constitutions over the edge. When the boat or ship rolls from side to side people seem to suffer more, according to most experts (and reports from sea-going folks).

Seasickness is a specific type of motion sickness. We become ill from unusual motion when our different senses come into conflict. For example, balance is controlled by the fluid-filled inner ear. When the boat or ship is moving in a certain way, our ears may tells us we are moving and are slightly out of balance. Yet we can see that the area around us isn’t moving. This is especially true when we are inside a cabin or other enclosed space on a ship or larger boat, but it can also happen on small craft. This conflict of information shows up as an upset stomach or problems in the digestive system.

Some are Different
As we look at ways to prevent or “cure” seasickness, remember that our bodies are different and react to treatment in different ways. When you plan to go out on the water, make sure you’re rested and eat a light, healthy meal (nothing heavy or greasy that will upset your stomach). In contrast, it’s also unwise to skip meals before boarding a ship or boat. Avoid excessive alcohol intake and drink water if possible.

Since the conflict between what your eyes see and what the rest of the body is telling you lies at the heart of seasickness, stay out of small spaces, your cabin etc. Make the trip on one of the mid-decks, near the center of the craft. This will help you avoid excessive motion. Most people understand that ginger is good for easing the upset stomach, so you may want to take some along – in pills or tablets from the store or even ginger pieces/slices from specialty stores. Some people even have success with a combination of ginger and peppermint. Dramamine and a few other commercial products are also quite helpful. Be careful with some prescription medications for seasickness, as the side effects and after-effects can be worse than seasickness (if that’s possible). Some people also find acupressure wrist bracelets to be helpful. There seems to be a sensitive spot on the wrist that affects general nausea. If you do feel ill while on the water, look off at the horizon, stay in the open and even try steering the craft. Believe it or not, it helps!

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