Motion sickness is a common issue for many people, and nearly 80% of the population will or have already suffered from it at least once in their lives. If you are more prone to motion sickness, it is more than likely that you will suffer from seasickness. Plus, if you are a woman, you are more likely to suffer from seasickness than men! People mostly feel sick because of the yacht’s motion on the water. Therefore, your dream yacht job could become a nightmare if you suffer from it. However, as yacht crew cannot avoid the sea, CrewPass has researched many articles and pharmacy sites to hopefully help you minimise seasickness onboard.
Fun fact:
‘Plague of the sea’ is what the Ancient Greeks used to call seasickness.
What causes seasickness?
Seasickness is a result of a conflict in the inner ear. Our inner ear is where the human balance mechanism is found. Due to the yacht’s disruptive motion on the water, the brain responds with stress-related hormones that can lead to feeling seasick. Some people theorise that the brain believes it’s being poisoned, which is why people end up having similar symptoms, however, this theory is not proven. Yacht stabilises and gyros can help limit the symptoms, but they won’t 100% guarantee that people will not suffer from it at times. Furthermore, people suffering from seasickness may find that their symptoms worsen by smelling intense odours like fish or fumes. On a positive note, some people feel better after a few days of sailing once the body starts to acclimate to the motion of the yacht.
Symptoms of seasickness:
It is very easy to diagnose seasickness as it occurs typically quickly after boarding a vessel. However, we have collated a list of seasickness symptoms (CrewPass are not health professionals; if you think you need medical guidance, please get in touch with your doctor or a healthcare professional).
Symptoms differ from person to person; some suffer a lot more than others, but they can include:
- Pale skin
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Increased saliva production
- Nausea
- Vertigo
- Vomiting
How to minimise seasickness:
Luckily for anyone who suffers from seasickness, plenty of methods reduce these symptoms.
Avoid overheating.
Avoid the heat and exposed sun, heat stroke on top of seasickness is not a good combination!
Drink water but not too much.
Due to the movement on yachts, the water you drink tends to move around in your stomach, making you feel even sicker. Avoid alcohol, coffee and acidic juices like orange juice as this can irritate your stomach.
Avoid reading.
Like in cars, reading on yachts is never a good idea, especially when feeling sick. Whether it’s on your mobile device, a computer or a book, try and stay away from these activities.
Get some sleep.
Of course, sleeping through your sickness is not easy if you are working on a yacht. But where you can get some sleep in, take this opportunity as sleep reduces the mixed signals in your brain by removing vision and hearing.
Take medication.
Many medications ease or prevent seasickness and can be bought over the counter or prescribed by your doctor. Cinnarizine is an antihistamine that stops you from feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting). Cinnarizine is a drowsy (sedating) antihistamine, and it’s more likely to make you feel sleepy than other antihistamines. It’s used for travel sickness (also called motion sickness), dizziness and sickness caused by inner ear problems (such as vertigo, tinnitus and Ménière’s disease). Cinnarizine comes as tablets and is available on prescription or to buy at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Hyoscine is one of the familiar medicines for motion sickness and works by blocking the signals sent to your brain during motion. It can also decrease saliva buildup in the mouth (a symptom of nausea).
Avoid the engine room.
The engine room is a no go zone for seasickness sufferers as the combination of fumes and bad weather can be too much to bear.
Ginger.
Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea and is an effective way to combat dizziness. You can consume it in its raw form, candied, in a tea, in ginger beer, in a pill and more!
Sea sickness bands.
Sea sickness bands are an affordable option for sufferers, the bands are influenced by acupuncture by blocking the signals to the brain that causes sickness.
What should I buy?
To make your lives easier, we have attached links to a range of seasickness cures (UK). If you have any remedies or a different cure for seasickness, make sure you write it in the comment section below! Thank you for reading this week’s blog, we hope you have found it useful.
Description:
“Anti Nausea Wristband One Size Fits All Features The Anti-Nausea Wristband Is A Knitted Elasticated Wristband, Which Operates By Applying Pressure On The Nei Kuan Acupressure Point. Assists The Prevention Of Nausea From Air, Sea And Road Travel Suitable For Adults And Children May Be Washed Up To Five Times Instructions Included One Size Fits All”
Price: £2.49
Description:
“100% natural FDA cleared prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting. Developed For Use In Hospitals… Our patented technology “Turns Off” feelings of nausea and vomiting, without drugs and without side effects!”
Price: £129.99 – £249.99
Description:
“Kwells can be taken up to 20-30 minutes before the start of your journey to prevent travel sickness occurring, or at the onset of nausea.”
“Features of Kwells travel sickness tablets x 12
Hyoscine hydrobromide
Tablets may be sucked, chewed or swallowed
Ideal for travel sickness.”
Price: £3.19
Description:
“Effective Against Vomiting. Patches for seasickness relieves the vomiting, nausea, dizziness, anorexia, and other symptoms resulting from sickness of cars, ships, aeroplanes, trains and other means of transport.”
Price: £39 – £64
Description:
“Each Sea-Band ginger capsule includes 250mg ginger produced from natural ginger root, which supports digestive health and proper stomach function. It’s gluten free and good for vegetarians and vegans, and it’s ideal for usage before or during lengthy journeys by car, boat, rail, or airline.”
Price: £6.09
Description:
Stugeron Tablets can be used to help prevent and relieve the symptoms of travel sickness:
- nausea
- vomiting
- anxiety
- headaches
Price: £3.75
