What is Motion Sickness and How to Avoid it.
Motion sickness and Seasickness is not life threatening, even though you might think - or wish - it were, when it's happening. The good news: you are not alone. Ninety percent of all people will suffer from motion sickness at one time or another.
What is Motion Sickness?
Seasickness results when the eyes are seeing one thing - e.g., the inside of a boat - while the balance organ (the semicircular canals) detects another - your movement up and down. The brain gets confused, figuring out why your eyes tell you are stationary, but your inner ear calls your brain you are moving.
Other factors can be compound the problem: they include alcohol ingestion, anxiety, fatigue, odors (e.g. diesel fumes), being overheated, inner ear infection or injury. Signs and symptoms include sweating, nausea, headache, drowsiness, increased salvation and a sensation of spinning or dizziness. Vomiting may make you feel better, but the symptoms will not resolve until the inner ear acclimates to the motion or you use another form of treatment.
Seasickness tends to diminish after a few days without treatment. Generally, the more time you spend on a boat, the less severe the sickness becomes. When some individuals become acclimated to the motion, readjusting once they are back on land may take some time.
How to avoid Motion Sickness?
1.) Positioning - If the boat is rocking bow to stern, seek out a spot in the middle of the boat for the least movement. A lower cabin may be more suitable than a top deck outer cabin. And remember, the smaller the boat, the larger your potential for sickness, as smaller the boats tend to rock more quickly.
2.) Fix on an Object - Look beyond the boat: Use the horizon as a reference point. This helps your brain to adjust more easily to the unstable environment. Avoid focusing tasks like reading and writing or watching television.
3.) Fresh Air - If you are feeling ill, nothing worsens it like used air or diesel fumes. Find a spot away from the fumes, where fresh air blows. Keep a reference point by looking at the horizon
4.) Keep Something in your Stomach - Stay well hydrated before and during your trip. Sip water, juice or sport drinks, but avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol and caffeine. If you are nauseated, don't drink lots of water since it will create an unpleasant sensation of sloshing in your stomach. Eat saltines or bread to absorb stomach fluids.
What is Motion Sickness?
Seasickness results when the eyes are seeing one thing - e.g., the inside of a boat - while the balance organ (the semicircular canals) detects another - your movement up and down. The brain gets confused, figuring out why your eyes tell you are stationary, but your inner ear calls your brain you are moving.
Other factors can be compound the problem: they include alcohol ingestion, anxiety, fatigue, odors (e.g. diesel fumes), being overheated, inner ear infection or injury. Signs and symptoms include sweating, nausea, headache, drowsiness, increased salvation and a sensation of spinning or dizziness. Vomiting may make you feel better, but the symptoms will not resolve until the inner ear acclimates to the motion or you use another form of treatment.
Seasickness tends to diminish after a few days without treatment. Generally, the more time you spend on a boat, the less severe the sickness becomes. When some individuals become acclimated to the motion, readjusting once they are back on land may take some time.
How to avoid Motion Sickness?
1.) Positioning - If the boat is rocking bow to stern, seek out a spot in the middle of the boat for the least movement. A lower cabin may be more suitable than a top deck outer cabin. And remember, the smaller the boat, the larger your potential for sickness, as smaller the boats tend to rock more quickly.
2.) Fix on an Object - Look beyond the boat: Use the horizon as a reference point. This helps your brain to adjust more easily to the unstable environment. Avoid focusing tasks like reading and writing or watching television.
3.) Fresh Air - If you are feeling ill, nothing worsens it like used air or diesel fumes. Find a spot away from the fumes, where fresh air blows. Keep a reference point by looking at the horizon
4.) Keep Something in your Stomach - Stay well hydrated before and during your trip. Sip water, juice or sport drinks, but avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol and caffeine. If you are nauseated, don't drink lots of water since it will create an unpleasant sensation of sloshing in your stomach. Eat saltines or bread to absorb stomach fluids.
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