HEALTH & WELLNESS by Claire Brinsden Jordan
ROCK THE BOAT- Tips to Cast Off Seasickness
As hurricane season subsides (thankfully), now is the time to get out on the water. November through April are prime months for sailing the Caribbean due to good weather and sailing conditions.
During my first summer break in college, I had the opportunity to sail around the British Virgin Islands with a crew of friends. It was an amazing experience, except for one stormy day on the boat in some large roller waves. That’s when the seasickness set in.
If you’ve ever been seasick, you know it’s a horrible feeling that you just can’t seem to escape. In my experience I rate it second only to childbirth and a bad appendix.
For those who love the sea and long to explore it more, knowing how to combat seasickness is key to enjoying the blue.
First, it’s important to understand what causes seasickness. Your inner ear is home to the balance mechanism, which sends signals to your brain when it senses motion. But the motion of the sea sends inner ear signals to the brain that conflict with visual and other sensory signals. This confusion makes the stressed brain release histamines which cause the symptoms of seasickness – dizziness, sweating, nausea, headache, and often vomiting. Until the motion stops, and for up to several hours thereafter, these symptoms persist. Getting over seasickness mostly requires patience, however, there are ways to prevent or mitigate it.
CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION ON THE BOAT WISELY
The best place on the boat to prevent seasickness is on the main deck in the middle of the boat, preferably outside where you can breathe in fresh air and look straight ahead at a fixed point on the horizon.
For example, I took a catamaran boat trip with a large group of people along the Napali Coast in Kauai. The tour guides clearly stated before we set sail that to avoid seasickness, they recommended sitting out on the deck. Those who ignored this advice and sat inside below deck (to avoid the sea-spray) were vomiting off the back of the boat not too far into the 3-4-hour trip. Some of us had a great time on deck taking in the beautiful scenery, and others had a miserable time below deck. Choose wisely. And, if you are sleeping on the boat, sleep on your back as much as possible.
FOOD & DRINK
Another way to mitigate seasickness is to make sure you eat small amounts of food often to keep your stomach busy. You should avoid greasy or acidic foods that can irritate your stomach. Ginger is a great stomach soother, so keep some ginger tablets, candies, or biscuits on hand. Staying hydrated with cold water can help to avoid seasickness. Fizzy drinks, especially seltzer water or ginger ale, alleviate stomach queasiness. Keep alcohol use to a minimum as it can dehydrate you and cause stomach upset. Try to avoid the “rum rummer party boat tours” if you go on a cruise. I know people who have become seasick even on the largest, most stable cruise ships. Imagine adding a hangover to seasickness!
WRIST BANDS
Acupressure wrist bands worn on both wrists can prevent seasickness and are a natural and reusable remedy. They apply pressure to the Nei Guan (P-6) acupressure point, located on the inner forearm, about three finger-widths from the crease between the hand and wrist. This pressure can reduce nausea and vomiting, help your muscles relax, and improve blood flow. Make sure the wrist bands are in the right position to provide pressure on the correct point.
PLUGGING AN EAR
Hear me out on this one. If you put an earplug in one ear it tricks the brain in to thinking there is a hearing problem, so it ignores the confusing sensory signals coming from the ears. Instead, the brain focuses on the signals from your eyes. Without the stress and confusion of the conflicting signals, the brain is not triggered to release histamines that cause seasickness. You should plug the ear that is opposite to your dominant hand. For example, if you are right-handed, you should plug the left ear. Although I have not tried this natural remedy myself, there are sailors who rely on it.
MEDICATIONS
Over-the-counter antihistamine medications like Dramamine, Benadryl, and Bonine should be taken BEFORE you get on the boat and set sail, as they don’t prevent symptoms once you’re already seasick. Dramamine works quickly but can cause drowsiness. The helpful effects of Bonine last longer with less drowsiness. Scopolamine is a prescription medication delivered in a transdermal patch you place on the hairless area behind your ears. These should be applied several hours before you might experience seasickness and can be left on for up to three days. You should consult a doctor before taking any medications.
If you’re an explorer at heart and have the chance to sail on the open sea, don’t let the fear of seasickness keep you from your adventures. Whether you’re on a 100,000-ton cruise ship, a 78-foot super yacht, a 40-foot catamaran, or a 27-foot sailboat, there is always the possibility of experiencing seasickness during rough seas. Knowing how to prevent and mitigate seasickness can save you from a miserable voyage. As with most remedies, you must find the one that works best for you.
Wishing you fair winds and following seas!