Motion Sickness at Sea

Are you one of those people who can't even look at the gently, rolling waves without feeling queasy? Don't worry, you aren't alone. Motion sickness is a very common problem, and sea sickness, as motion sickness in a boat is called, is probably the most common form of motion sickness. As wonderful as sailing and boating can be, our bodies are just not used to, or designed for, the constant motion of being on the water.

Luckily, humans are adaptable. Pretty much anyone who stays at sea long enough will get their sea legs and stop having motion sickness. However, most of us don't regularly take the multi-day trips necessary for our bodies to adapt. So what do you do if you want to enjoy a few hours on the water without dealing with motion sickness and its miseries?

There are a number of options for preventing or treating motion sickness. How well they work tend to vary from person to person and situation to situation. Don't be afraid to keep trying different ones until you find something that works.

Non-Medical Approaches to Preventing Motion Sickness

If you don't want to take medication for motion sickness, you other options. Non-medical treatments for motion sickness are easily available and often effective.

Nux vomica: a homeopathic remedy for nausea. It can be found in most health food stores. Put a few (4-6) tablets under you tongue and let them dissolve. Nux vomica is safe for children, and is mild enough that it is not possible to overdose even if you take the entire package at once. It is usually effective within 1 minute.

Acupressure bands: there is an acupressure point on the wrists that helps stop nausea. Wrist bands that activate this point can be found online and in many sporting good stores. For best effectiveness, put the bands on before getting on a boat, they work better for preventing motion sickness than for getting rid of it.

Ginger: the best known herbal remedy for motion sickness is probably ginger. The best way to use ginger to treat motion sickness is to buy a section of ginger root and cut it into slices. Chew the slices, just like you would a sick of gum. You can also make ginger tea from the fresh ginger, or use tea bags.

 Medical Remedies for Motion Sickness

There are medicines available to treat and prevent motion sickness, both over-the-counter and prescription only. These will have side effects, but they are the best option for someone with severe motion sickness.

Dramamine/Bonine and other over the counter medications: Over the counter anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medications work best if taken before you get motion sick, but can help if taken after. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and dry mouth.

Prescription anti-nausea/anti-vomiting: someone who deals with a severe case of motion sickness can get a prescription for a strong anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medication from a doctor. These medications often have more severe side effects than over the counter medications, and should only be taken when necessary.