Motion sickness is a common problem for many travelers and vacationers. While specific statistics are hard to come by, it seems that the prevalence of “sickness bags” on planes, trains, and ships are an indication that motion sickness is a condition affecting many.

What causes motion sickness?

Many people commonly think that motion sickness is a problem of the stomach and intestinal system. After all, that’s where the aches, pains, and nausea begin when motion sickness sets in. However, it really is a disorder of the vestibular system — the body’s balance system. This involves the interaction of the brain, eyes and inner ear. When these different parts send conflicting information to the brain, the brain gets confused, triggering the unpleasant symptoms of motion sickness. Exactly why this happens is unknown.

For example, say you’re aboard a luxury cruise ship. Your eyes may be focused on your delicious tropical beverage, or a book you’re enjoying on the top deck. From what your eyes are registering, your body doesn’t seem to be moving, so the eyes send the message to your brain that you are not moving. But your inner ears sense the motion of the ship on the rolling waves and tell the brain that you are indeed moving. The conflicting messages get sent to the brain, and there begins motion sickness.

Treatment

There are several steps you can take to help alleviate or avoid motion sickness. Here are some suggestions:

• Try to avoid the conflicting sensory information your brain receives. Do so by looking out a ship window if you are indoors or moving to the upper deck where you’ll see the same motion your inner ears sense.

• Choose locations where motion tends to be the least. On boats, it may be on the lower levels or rooms located in the center of the ship.

• Watch the horizon so you are able to sense movement, and breathe fresh air if possible.

• Wear acupressure bands around your wrists. The pressure they exert on a specific area of the wrist seems to give relief to many people. They are found at drugstores.

• Drink ginger tea or ginger ale. Ginger is known for its stomach-soothing properties.

• Try over-the-counter remedies that are specifically formulated to suppress nausea. However, keep in mind that they may also cause drowsiness, so avoid taking them when operating equipment such as when driving a boat.

• Get a prescription from your doctor for scopolamine. It comes in pill form or a small patch that you wear behind your ear.

   Once you’ve spent an afternoon on a boat deep in the throws of motion sickness, it may be hard to imagine ever enjoying water activities again. But it’s entirely possible if you make use of the many nausea remedies and options available. So don’t be afraid to get out there again and have fun on the open water.