 Seasickness is a form of motion sickness that is prompted by constantly changing movement. Fluid in the ears’ semicircular canals moves with the body’s motion stimulating receptors in the brain. The mixed signals may cause the brain to produce signals causing headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Cases of seasickness are rare on today’s cruise ships. Modern vessels are equipped with stabilizers that render the ship’s motion almost undetectable. And many cruise itineraries, such as those in the Inside Passage of Alaska and some Caribbean cruises, remain in very calm waters.
If those first signs of seasickness do appear, however, such as sleepiness, fatigue and queasiness, there are some steps you can take to minimize the severity of those symptoms.
- Move to the center of the vessel, the most stable part of the ship, or get out on deck and look out to the sea.
- Close your eyes and relax - often an effective weapon against nausea.
- Avoid spicy or greasy foods, citrus juices and sodas and stay with lighter alternatives. Stay away from alcohol – your senses are muddled enough already.
And if all this fails, there are over-the-counter and prescription medicines including antihistamines, phenergen and scopolamine. that can prevent or treat the symptoms of seasickness. There is even a Transderm prescription patch that can be worn to prevent motion sickness. Your pharmacist and your doctor , who is also aware of other medication you may be using, can advise as to the best products for you.
One of the natural solutions is ginger root – a time-proven remedy for upset stomach, indigestion and cramps. The suggested dose is 1 capsule 3 times daily to relieve symptoms. Ginkgo is also excellent for chronic dizziness and lightheadedness. The recommendation is 3 (40 mg) capsules daily.
Another natural solution is the wristbands on the market which claim to relieve motion sickness. These bands have a small protuberance that is pressed into the underside of the wrist at the pressure point linked to the stomach area.
Rest assured, however, you’re probably not going to need any of these remedies or suggestions. It’s all a case of “just in case”!
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