Seasickness remedies are available for cruisers who need them.
Given that 70 percent of the planet is covered with water, it comes as no surprise that the ocean is a favorite destination for many vacationers. In fact, 12 million people will cruise this year, traversing the globe on ships large and small. The only fly in the ointment for some cruisers is a tendency to become seasick. Fortunately, there are a number of remedies available to fight this malady.
Instructions
Choosing the Right Ship and Cabin
1. If you're prone to motion sickness, be sure to sail on a ship that has stabilizers. The newest mega liners all have them. Stabilizers help minimize the rolling of the ship. Check to see if the ship you're planning to sail on uses the Azipod propulsion system, which pushes rather than pulls the ship through the water. This propulsion system claims to reduce motion and create less vibration.
2. Request a cabin on one of the middle decks of the ship. You will feel less motion from the ocean if you are in the middle.
3. Choose a cabin that is near the center of the ship, as you will feel less vibration from the engines.
Pharmaceutical Aids
4. Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine or Gravol work well to control nausea. The downside is that they sometimes make people drowsy. Still, they're generally available on the ship at the purser's desk.
5. A transdermal scopolamine patch applied behind the ear can do wonders. The dime-sized patch must be applied eight hours prior to boarding your ship and works to fight nausea for 72 hours. Side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, and in some wearers, blurred vision. Your doctor will need to write you a prescription for a transdermal scopolamine patch.
6. If you are concerned that your seasickness if going to be severe, ask your doctor to write you a prescription for an anti-nausea medication to be taken as needed.
Drug-Free Alternatives
7. The use of ginger can help fight nausea. Frequent cruisers recommend ginger crackers or cookies for nausea. Ginger can also be ingested in other forms: capsules, candy, gum, tea or powder.
8. Vitamin B6 seems to help fight nausea and vomiting. B6 has long been recommended to anyone fighting a hangover, and recent studies show that B6 therapy helps women fight morning sickness.
9. Motion sickness bracelets, like those sold by Sea Bands, have a small bead on the inside the applies pressure to the inside of your wrist, the pressure point that helps reduce nausea. They're available at drug stores and may be put on any time before boarding the ship. There are no side effects to wearing a motion sickness bracelet.
10. Make sure to get plenty of rest. Exhaustion makes you more susceptible to other conditions that bring on motion sickness. Take breaks during the cruise for down time.
11. Avoid alcoholic beverages the night before departure as they dehydrate the body. If you must drink, make sure that every third drink is a glass of water as it will help reduce dehydration. In fact, make sure that you drink plenty of water during the entire trip.
Tags: fight nausea, motion sickness, feel less, help fight, help fight nausea