"First
you think you're going to die. Then you're afraid you won't.”
That just about describes the serious misery of seasickness.
It is estimated that about a third of the population is very
susceptible to motion sickness. Even full-time professional
fishermen get it.
For these
people, it starts when the balance center of the inner ear,
being tossed about by the movement of a boat, sends signals
to the brain that don't agree with those being sent by the
eyes. The inner ear says movement is going one way, the eyes
say it is going another.
This contradiction
causes a confusion known as motion sickness. First, a person
feels a little queasy and dizzy. Sweating usually begins.
If you're lucky it might stop there, if not, you turn white,
develop heavy cold sweats and a headache. Nausea develops.
Then it
gets bad. Nausea turns into violent vomiting. Muscles get
mushy, dizziness is so bad that standing or even sitting is
impossible. Even hallucinations can occur. Most people aren't
lucky enough to pass out.
A lot
of seasickness preventions have been tried over the years.
In their simplest forms they involve changing behavior or
diet. Some sufferers of seasickness swear that a full night
of sleep and a non-greasy diet the day before going to sea
are all they need.
Other
"natural" remedies that supposedly work are eating
honey, ground pumpkin seeds, cayenne pepper, or ginger. Indeed
ginger root has been shown to be effective if 1-4 grams (less
than a tenth of an ounce) of powdered ginger is taken 12-24
hours before going offshore. Ginger is an anti-emetic which
soothes nausea. But herbs, like almost any seasickness remedy,
work for some people, but not others.
Likewise
with acupressure wristbands. These elastic bands are supposed
to work by putting pressure on a nerve point inside of the
wrist. This sends a message to the brain, blocking the brain-confusing
signals from the inner ear and the eyes.
Of course,
there are medications, both over-the-counter and prescribed.
Most people choose one of the over-the-counter medications.
The most common of these are antihistamines, including dimenhydrinate
(Dramamine), meclizine (Bonine and Dramamine II), and diphenhydramine
(Benadryl). A combination remedy, Phenergan contains both
an antihistamine (promethazine) and an anti-emetic (phenothiazine).
Antihistamines dilate blood vessels which seems to blunt the
effects of the rocking and rolling on the inner ear, at least
for some people.
Of the
prescription medications, the best known and most prescribed
is scopolamine in the form of Trans-derm Scop. The scopolamine
is contained in an adhesive patch. The drug is released through
the skin when the patch is stuck to the skin, usually behind
an ear.
The drug
is highly effective for most people but can have side effects.
It can make some people sleepy and others thirsty. It is also
not for use by people who have kidney problems, the reason
it is only dispensed by prescription.
One drawback
in the use of all of the discussed medications is that they
are only effective if taken 12-24 hours before going out.
Two fairly new products on the market are promising quick
relief.
Vitamotion
is a spray containing ginger, dimenhydrinate and vitamin B-6.
A person is dosed by spraying the product onto the lining
of his mouth. There, the many capillaries take the medication
into the blood stream almost immediately. This product is
available over the counter.
The other
product, ReliefBand is a battery-powered aid resembling a
wristwatch. The band releases three electronic impulses per
minute which stimulate nerves that sooth the erratic stomach
caused by seasickness. The ReliefBand is positioned under
the wrist between the two large tendons. At the highest of
five settings, a person can actually feel the electrical impulses
sent by the band. Once available only by prescription, this
device was approved for over-the-counter sale in 1999. ReliefBand
markers even promote the band as a cure for morning sickness
and chemotherapy-induced sickness.
The information
given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination
is intended and no endorsement by the LSU AgCenter.
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seasickness.pdf
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