AVOIDING SEASICKNESS

(Admiral Lord Nelson, the 19th century British hero at Trafalgar, suggested his own fool-proof remedy: "You'll feel better if you sit under a tree.")


Some cruise travelers routinely have problems with motion sickness. Don’t let that queasy stomach ruin your next vacation at sea.


What To Bring Along So You Can Enjoy Your Lunch
(And Avoid Losing It)
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Promethazine (Phenergan) is another antihistamine effective at relieving nausea, but it might make you sleepy. Another choice is prescription strength meclizine (Antivert), although it, too, may cause drowsiness. (See below.)

A scopolamine patch (Transderm-Scop) is also very effective, but side effects including blurred vision and severe drowsiness make it a treatment of last resort. Some patients also report a rebound effect, including nausea, dizziness, and headaches when they remove the patch. (See below.)

GINGER AND WRISTBANDS
Although far from proven, these are safe and worth a shot, especially for mild symptoms. Ginger root, typically sold in candies and capsules, has the most supporting evidence. Occasional use of up to 250 milligrams four times a day is considered safe for most people, including women who might be pregnant.

Bracelets such as Sea-Bands, found at drugstores, stimulate acupressure points on the wrist and have been shown to combat nausea in some situations. The evidence that they work against motion sickness is mixed. However, they’re safe and can be used along with other remedies.

ANTIHISTAMINES
Older over-the-counter antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) have been proven to counteract motion sickness and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use by children older than two. The catch is that they take 30 minutes to an hour to kick in, and they can leave you feeling drowsy or lightheaded.

Newer, non-sedating over-the-counter antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec p) might relieve allergy symptoms but don’t appear to quell a queasy stomach.

 

 
Bonine®

Bonine® is an increasing popular over-the-counter motion sickness prevention product. Providing all day protection for and treatment of nausea, vomiting, or dizziness associated with motion sickness, Bonine® is a brand name for generic Meclizine Hydrochloride - Antiemetic.

It is from the same family of drugs as Dramamine® but is claimed to work up to four times longer and cause far less drowsiness. It is available in a convenient, raspberry-flavored chewable tablets and can be taken without liquids. Most people tolerate it well but, as with any medication, side effects are possible. Potential side effects of tinclude dry mouth, drowsiness, and blurred vision.

Bonine® is most effective if taken before symptoms appear. It works by blocking a chemical messenger in the brain, which helps to reduce or prevent vomiting. (Technically, it decreases excitability of middle-ear labyrinth and depresses conduction in vestibular-cerebellar pathways.)

 http://www.bonine.com/
 http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/multum/d00859a1.htm
http://nervous-system.emedtv.com/bonine/bonine.html
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/bonine.html
Ask a Doctor or Nurse About Bonine: An On-Line Service
* DRAMAMINE is a registered trademark of McNeil-PPC, Inc.

Transdermal Patch

Transdermal patch escontain scopolamine, a substance that prevents seasickness. By absobing the substance through the skin, the body gets an timed distribution. The patch dispenses the medication up to seventy-two hours and is, therefore, convenient for long exposures. However, variable skin absorption and a fixed patch dosage that may not be suitable for all patients can result in reduced efficacy and increased incidence of side effects compared with scopolamine tablets.

Side effects include drowsiness, blurred vision (sometimes with a dilated pupil in the eye on the side of the patch), decreased sweating, difficulty with urination (particularly in elder males with enlarged prostate glands), dry mouth, and a propensity to be susceptible to heat illness during times of heat exposure. Persons with glaucoma should not use the patch. On a rare occasion, a person who uses a patch can become delirious or even psychotic as a side effect. Normal behavior returns within a few hours after the patch is removed.

The patch should be positioned at least three hours before rough seas are encountered. If you touch the medicated (sticky) side of the patch with a finger and then let that finger come in contact with your eye, your pupil will almost certainly dilate and stay that way for up to eight hours. So be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling the patch so that any drug that might get on your hands will not come in contact with your eyes. Also, local absorption of the drug through the skin can dilate the pupil of the eye on the same side of the patch, causing difficulty with focusing of vision.

 

HOW TO NIP THAT QUEASY FEELING IN THE BUD

* Eat stomach-soothing foods
Have a light meal about three hours before setting out. Avoid dairy products and foods that are high in protein or sodium. A light breakfast of an orange, for example, may stay down better than bacon and eggs. If motion sickness strikes, munch on crackers and take small sips of a carbonated drink or fruit juice. Chew on ginger candies or pop a ginger supplement. Chamomile and peppermint are also used to quell stomach upset.

* Get the best seat
Pick the spot least affected by motion—up front in a car, over a wing on a plane, or midship on a boat deck.

* Avoid nausea triggers
These include alcohol, cigarette smoke, and pungent odors. The power of suggestion is strong, so if possible, stay far away from other sick passengers.

* Focus your mind
If you can, lean into your headrest to minimize movement and focus on the horizon or a distant object. Don’t read or watch movies. If you’re queasy, close your eyes and recline until the feeling passes.

* Get some air
Crack a window, turn on a vent, or step out on a ship’s deck to get some soothing fresh air.

 

Links to Related Websites
(Click mon ball icon to select site desired.)

Best Remedies for Seasickness
Don't Let Seasickness Spoil Your Holiday Cruise
Cruise Seasickness Remedies
Seasickness Remedies That Really Work
Seasickness Prevention and Cure
Sea Sickness Remedies
Seasickness Treatments (even more links)