Seasickness…Barf!
Photo by Keith Lobo from Pexels
Seasickness- it’s a dreaded fact of life for some sailors. You make the lunches, pack the bags, slather up the kids with sunscreen and head to the boat for some fun on the water. But instead of sipping sundowners with the breeze in your hair, you find yourself incapacitated with your head hanging over the side rail, questioning why you own a boat anyway, sick as a dog. Barf! There’s no better word to describe the awful feeling of seasickness.
Why does Seasickness or Motion Sickness happen?
In the simplest of terms, your senses are confused. Your eyes see one thing, your inner ear feels another and your muscles and joints tell a third story. When all those signals get sent to your brain there’s a big miscommunication that happens. The result is that you feel dizzy and nauseous. Besides nausea, some other symptoms may include:
· Cold sweats
· Fatigue
· Headache
· Increased saliva
· Pale, clammy skin
· Loss of appetite
It’s the quickest way to put a damper on any sailing fun. Fortunately, there are quite a few things you can do to help your situation. Recognizing what triggers it and prevention are your best options. For most people who experience motion sickness, continued exposure will allow your body and brain to adjust to the movement and your symptoms will subside over the course of 1-2 days. I know that 1-2 days is a REALLY long time when you are feeling ill so lets see if we can come up with some ways to minimize those miserable feelings.
Recognizing your triggers.
For most people who experience seasickness , there are situations they find themselves in that may precipitate it more than others. Pay attention to your body when you start feeling sick and then note the movement of your environment. What is it about this particular movement of the boat that has you ill? Are you beating upwind and the movement of the boat is an up and down motion? Is the wind on the beam and you are taking small sharp waves on the side and rocking back and forth? Does sailing at night throw you off? Sometimes, it’s as simple as a windy anchorage that could trigger nausea because you are hanging out down below with no stable horizons in sight. Knowing what conditions you are expecting to sail into can help you prepare your body and mind for what’s to come.
Preventing Seasickness
Prevention is the easiest way to stop seasickness in its tracks before it takes hold. Once it sets in, you will have a harder time kicking it to the curb – or should I say overboard. So let’s talk about some things you can do to stave off that feeling of yuck before it even starts.
· Use an acupuncture or pressure point wrist band – I highly recommend giving these bands a try. These are simple, non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be worn all the time while traveling. They stimulate a pressure point below the wrist which, in alternative medicine, is said to help relieve nausea. They come with varying degrees of bells and whistles and price ranges so you can definitely find one that fits your budget.
· Limit or cut out alcohol and caffeine - I know this sounds like the least fun thing to do but eliminating these compounds can allow your brain to adjust to the moving environment a little bit easier.
· Adjust your diet - Eat a light meal and stay away from greasy, fatty foods. You don’t want that heavy feeling in your stomach to exacerbate an already precarious situation. Try munching on some saltines or pretzels.
· Focus on a stable point, such as the horizon - no scrolling social media on your phone or reading books either. Focusing on a stable object in the distance helps to recalibrate those senses that are sending mixed messages. It allows your brain to catch up with your body and adjust to the movement of the boat.
· Be aware of your position in the boat - get horizontal and close your eyes if you can. Taking away one of those mixed messages can make it easier for your brain to figure out this sailing thing. Try to stay out of the cabins below and up top where you can get fresh air. Face forward and try to center yourself in the vessel if you can; the top step of the companionway is a good spot. If you are going below deck, lie on a bunk or settee that’s positioned in the middle of the boat.
· Herbal remedies – Try sucking on some ginger or peppermint candies which can have a soothing sensation on your stomach and your nerves. Also lavender oil can exude calming vibes. Try putting some on your hands, rubbing them together and then tenting them over your mouth and nose. Take some deep, calming breaths. Which leads me to the next point…
· Stay calm and practice breathing exercises – I know it’s easier said than done but try to quell that anxiety. Being so worked up about the potential to get sick can actually bring it to fruition. So take those deep breaths, close your eyes and let the breeze of the salt air wash over you. Listen to the cool water underneath you and feel the warm sun on your face…is it working?
· Learn ways to lessen the motion of the boat – I have a friend who suffers from seasickness and this is something he tries to accomplish when he’s not feeling so hot. Try to balance the boat as best you can. Trim sails or change course (if possible) which will ultimately change the angle of the waves.
I’m sick, now what?
Unfortunately, seasickness may still happen despite all your best preventative measures so what can you do once that terrible little monster takes hold? There are a few options of over the counter (OTC) medications you can buy and if your bouts of motion sickness are severe, you can talk to your doctor who can prescribe something for you as well. So let’s break down your options when those preventative measures can’t override Mother Nature.
Antihistamines
Usually associated with allergies, some antihistamines (what we call first-generation antihistamines) can help treat and prevent seasickness. Just to give a little pharmacology on how they work without getting overly technical; antihistamines block two different actions in your body. The first is blocking histamine, which is why they are great for allergies. The second is an anticholinergic (ahh, big scary word!) blocking property in your central nervous system which is where its anti-motion sickness properties come from. Only first-generation antihistamines work on your central nervous system and therefore, are the only ones effective in motion sickness (common OTC allergy meds like Allegra or Zyrtec are second-generation antihistamines and won’t help with motion sickness). Unfortunately, a side effect of that is they can all cause drowsiness and dry mouth. Always consult your doctor before taking any medications especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and with any medication, you should read the instructions carefully to prevent any issues. To help prevent seasickness, you can take these medications up to an hour before you set sail.
· Meclizine – found in products like Antivert, Bonine, and less drowsy Dramamine. Meclizine should not be given to children under 12 and elderly patients can be more susceptible to some of its side effects. Always talk to your doctor first before using if you have any medical conditions especially glaucoma, prostate, liver, kidney, asthma, or urinary retention problems.
· Dimenhydrinate – Dramamine, which is widely available and also comes in a formulation for children aged 2-12. It can have the same side effects as meclizine above and should be used with caution in older patients because of that.
The next medication I’ll keep separate because it’s not available in the United States but it can be found elsewhere if you are traveling internationally. Please read all the information available on the package before taking and, I’ll say it again, as with any medication, you should keep an open dialogue with your doctor especially about products that are available overseas but not at home.
· Cinnarizine – Stugeron is another antihistamine that can be taken for seasickness and therefore has all the same warnings as those above. It works on some different receptors in the brain so there is an added warning of something called Parkinsonism. I bring this up not to scare you away but to give you the knowledge to make an informed decision. Remember, there is no medication out there that is not without the risk of side effects or complications. This is not the same as Parkinson’s disease. It means it can produce symptoms that may look similar and that can persist for a while even after the medication has cleared from your system. The risk of this happening is very low but should be avoided in people with Parkinson’s, those with a genetic history of Parkinson’s and also anyone who has had similar reactions to other medications. This medication should also be avoided in people with depression or a history of depression. Stugeron is available for children and adults 5 and older.
Getting a little help from your doctor
Scopolamine - When over the counter (OTC) medications just won’t cut it, you can definitely talk to your doctor to get a prescription for the Scopolamine patch. The patch is worn behind one ear and lasts for 3 days. You apply it 4 hours prior to when you will be needing it. It is also anticholinergic (there’s that big word again) and works in the central nervous system to help ward off seasickness. Some people don’t like the way this medicine can make them feel and I’ve had a few patients report feelings of loopiness or confusion that they couldn’t tolerate. This medication is for adults only and can cause a lot of the same side effects as antihistamines (ie; drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision). You should not use this medication if you have digestive or urinary issues, glaucoma, a history of psychosis or seizures.
So, even though I’m a pharmacist I really encourage my patients to try everything they can to stave off motion sickness homeopathically before turning to medications. Prevention is easier than treatment. If you have any other suggestions on how to treat or prevent motion sickness naturally, I’d love to hear from you. I can create a lengthier list of all your ideas in the future. In the meantime, I hope some of the suggestions above will work for you so you can gain your sea legs faster and enjoy your time out on the water!
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