Pular para o conteúdo principal

What causes seasickness and how to manage it

Seasickness: a form of motion sickness that results from conflicting signals and can make you feel dizzy, nauseous, and unwell | Photo: Franco/ISA

It's one of the most unusual and simultaneously unpleasant symptoms one can get out at sea. Here's what makes us feel seasick and what can we do to get rid of it.

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness, also known as kinetosis, that occurs when your brain receives mixed signals from your eyes, inner ear, and body.

These conflicting signals can make you feel dizzy, nauseous, and unwell. 

You've probably already felt it when you are on a boat or ship - your inner ear senses motion as the vessel rocks with the waves.

However, your eyes might not detect this movement if you are focused on something stationary, like the interior of the boat.

The disconnect between what you see and what you feel confuses your brain and can lead to seasickness.

What Amplifies Seasickness?

All people are different, but yet several factors can worsen seasickness:

  • Rough Seas: Strong waves and choppy waters increase the motion of the vessel, making it harder for your body to adjust;
  • Fatigue: If you are tired, your body may struggle to cope with the motion;
  • Hunger or Heavy Meals: Skipping meals or eating a large, greasy meal before boarding can make symptoms worse;
  • Anxiety: Feeling nervous or stressed can heighten the sensation of seasickness;
  • Alcohol: Drinking alcohol before or during the trip can increase nausea;

Surfing: yes, surfers can also get seasick while waiting for waves | Photo: Shutterstock

Can You Get Seasick While Surfing?

Yes, it is possible to get seasick while surfing (or stand-up paddleboarding), although it is less common than on a boat.

For instance, if you're waiting in the lineup for a while for a good set of waves to arrive, you may feel a bit unwell after a few unridden ones pass by.

The motion of the waves combined with prolonged time on the water can sometimes create the same conflicting signals between your inner ear and vision.

But it's rare and should not be as intense as if you're in a boat.

When Does Seasickness Start?

Seasickness can begin soon after the boat starts moving, especially if the motion is strong and continuous.

For some, it starts within minutes, while others may feel fine initially and develop symptoms later.

How Long Does It Last?

Seasickness typically lasts as long as you are exposed to the motion. 

Once you return to land, symptoms usually subside within a few hours. 

However, some people experience a lingering sensation of motion, known as "land sickness" or mal de débarquement, which can last for days in rare cases.

Tips to Ease Symptoms

If you start feeling seasick, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms:

  1. Get Fresh Air: Move to an open area where you can feel the breeze and see the horizon. It helps align your senses;
  2. Focus on the Horizon: Keeping your eyes on a stable point can reduce the conflict between your inner ear and vision;
  3. Stay Hydrated: Drink water or clear fluids to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration, which can worsen nausea;
  4. Eat Lightly: Snack on bland foods like crackers or bread to settle your stomach;
  5. Lie Down: Resting in a horizontal position can help reduce the sensation of motion;
  6. Use Acupressure: Interestingly, some people find relief by using acupressure wristbands, which apply pressure to points believed to alleviate nausea;

Boats: your inner ear senses motion as the vessel rocks with the waves, causing seasickness | Photo: Ryder/ISA

Ocean Views: Myth or Truth

Yes, it might sound like a paradox, but ocean views can help alleviate seasickness.

Looking at the horizon provides a stable visual reference point, which helps your brain reconcile the motion detected by your inner ear.

So, this alignment of sensory signals can reduce dizziness and nausea.

If possible, position yourself where you can see the water and horizon clearly, such as on the deck of a boat or near a window.

Extra tip: avoid focusing on screens or reading, as these activities can exacerbate the symptoms.

Medications to Relieve Seasickness

There are several medications available to prevent or treat seasickness:

  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Options: Medications like dimenhydrinate and meclizine can help reduce nausea and dizziness. They are most effective when taken before symptoms start;
  • Prescription Medications: Scopolamine patches are often prescribed for severe seasickness. They are worn behind the ear and release medication gradually;
  • Natural Remedies: Ginger supplements or ginger tea can sometimes help reduce nausea;

Nevertheless, always consult a doctor before taking any medication, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are pregnant.

Motion sickness goggle: they help your brain reconcile the conflicting signals from your eyes and inner ear | Photo: Brrnoo

How Do Seasick Glasses Work?

Seasick glasses, also known as "motion sickness glasses," are designed to help your brain reconcile the conflicting signals from your eyes and inner ear.

These odd-looking lensless goggles have liquid-filled rings around the frame that move with the boat's motion.

The moving liquid mimics the motion your body feels, providing a visual cue that aligns with what your inner ear detects.

The synchronization can help reduce the confusion in your brain, alleviating the symptoms of seasickness for many users.


Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com



por Surfing | News, Headlines and Top Stories https://ift.tt/8eAm5BS

Postagens mais visitadas deste blog

Duke Kahanamoku reflects on surfing, Olympics, and old Hawaii in 1966 interview

Duke Kahanamoku is the most influential surfer of all time and is often hailed as the father of modern surfing. There is nearly no one questioning these titles. Recently, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Hawaii unveiled a never-before-seen interview with the legendary surfer and Olympic swimmer. In the 1966 episode of Pau Hana Years, a seminal Hawaii television program that aired on KHET-TV (now PBS Hawaii) for 16 years, running from 1966 until 1982, Bob Barker chats with Duke Kahanamoku, then 76. The conversation drifts from royal ancestry to Olympic lanes, from Hollywood sets to a surfboard shaped by hand, tracing the outline of a life that helped define modern surfing and Hawaii's public image in the 20th century. And if you know little about the man who dreamed of getting surfing into the Olympic Games, this is a precious piece of history. A name with history, worn casually The interview starts with Kahanamoku explaining that "Duke" is not a title but his giv...
Leia mais

The hydrodynamics of surfboard fins

Have you ever wondered why a surfboard fin looks like that? It is a single or a set of fixed blades or keels located under a board, near the tail, often no bigger than a hand. Yet that small surface is where much of the surfboard's behavior takes place. Speed, hold, looseness, and the feeling of control all trace back to how water moves around fins. The physics of surfboard fins falls under hydrodynamics, the study of how fluids behave in motion. So, according to science, they feature a shape designed to turn flowing water into several forces. Let's take a look at what's at stake when fins and water interact. Lift and the feeling of control One of the key variables in hydrodynamic terms involving surfboard fins is lift. When a surfer leans into a turn, the board tilts and the fins meet the water at an angle. The angle is enough to create a pressure difference between the two sides of the fin. Water speeds up on one side and slows on the other. The result is a sidewa...
Leia mais

How paddleboarding transforms your body and mind

Adventure is on our doorstep. With so many different bodies of water available to paddleboarders, from city canals to coastal routes, we can find adventure in places much closer to home than people might initially expect. According to the Canal and River Trust, 50 percent of people in England and Wales live within just eight kilometers of a canal or river, and eight million people live less than one kilometer away. I had lived within just a few kilometers of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal for years and never really explored it before stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) came into my life . The challenge created both a new perspective and a deeper love for where I lived and the areas which I passed through. On my coast-to-coast journey, I slept in my own bed for two nights as the route passed through my then hometown of Skipton, yet I felt I was on a grand journey of discovery. We are braver, stronger, and more resilient than we think. SUP not only helps us feel more connected to our va...
Leia mais