How to Prevent Sea Sickness

Would you like to avoid getting seasick? Seasickness effects everyone, although it can effect some people more than others. The article below examines sea sickness and discusses the facts, the myths and the reasons behind it.

THE CAUSE OF SEASICKNESS:
Sea sickness occurs when the movement of the waters swell impacts on the inner ear. If what the eyes are seeing does not match up with the movement felt by the inner ear you begin to feel sick. This sickness is similar to any type of travel sickness and some people seem to experience it's effects more than others. On a boat it usually happens when the swell is large and you are constantly looking down or in a cabin.

SEA SICKNESS MYTHS:
Some people will say only weak people experience sea sickness. This however is not true as sea sickness is caused by our bodies as outlined above. Some people also find it funny when other people get seasick but it can be a very dangerous experience especially if an individual becomes severely de-hydrated.

SEA SICKNESS REMEDIES:
The best way to avoid sea sickness is to keep your eyes on the horizon. If you keep your eyes up you will be able to see the swell of the sea so your eyes and inner ear movements will match up.

Travel sickness tablets can also prevent sea sickness. These tablets are especially useful for people who have a history of experiencing travel sickness. Remember you need to take them before you go out on the boat. If you take them whilst you are feeling sick it will often be too late.

Some people recommend herbs such as ginger and garlic to ward off against sea sickness. Although there is no real evidence to prove this i am a big fan of my spaghetti's and indian cuisine and i have never been sick on the ocean once!

Another option is to wear specially formulated bracelets that allegedly ward of sea sickness. Some chemists recommend these but people who i have known to use them find no difference in their sickness levels.

Basically to prevent sea sickness from becoming a problem you should try to stay in the open air as much as possible. Try to sit in the stern of the boat where the rocking motions are most likely to be the smallest. Also, try to avoid excessive intake of alcohol or this will only fuel your chances of getting sick.

WHAT TO DO IF SEA SICKNESS STRIKES:
Sea sickness usually strikes the most in a stationary boat. If you get sick or feel sickness coming along, try to get underway again. Most people feel a lot better once the boat is underway.

If others get sick try not to look and try to distance yourself from them for a bit. Usually, if one gets sick another gets sick and and another so try to stay away as much as possible.

If you get seasick, remember to keep your fluids up. Vomiting is a main cause of dehydration. If you have severe dehydration, consider replacing lost fluids with electrolytes to prevent complications. Remember to take small sips of water constantly. If you drink too much at once you are likely to bring it up again. If you or someone on board has severe seasickness, try to get them to shore quickly. Some people may find it funny when others get sick but seasickness can be very debilitating and even dangerous if it does not go away quickly.