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Issue 79  July/August 2011
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all it mal de mer , Neptune’s revenge, or the breakwater fl  u . . . chances are, if you venture
very far offshore, you will become acquainted with the most unwelcome of on-board guests: seasickness. This malady spares few sailors and usually amounts to nothing worse than passing discomfort, but because seasickness may become life-threatening in some cases, it should be understood, planned for, and taken seriously.
Despite what some might say, seasickness is not “all in your head.” Medically speaking, it is an acute condition, meaning it isn’t permanent or long-term. It’s the result of a sensory confl  ict caused by exposure to passive motion. If this sounds uncomfortably familiar, you’re not alone. Clinical studies reveal that 25 percent of those people exposed to moderate passive-motion situations experience motion sickness. NASA admits that 75 percent of its astronauts are affl  icted. In short, although tolerance levels differ among individuals, most everyone is suscep-tible. While total immunity may be out of reach, effective prevention and treatment is not.
Preventive measures
The surest way to prevent seasickness is to determine your level of tolerance to motion and to set appropriate limits. If 4-foot seas make you nauseous, keeping to protected waters the fi  rst few days o
r limiting early passages to those that can be completed in 24 hours may prove wise. Establishing a limit of 3-foot seas whenever possible for offshore sailing might be a good idea, but bear in mind that individual toler-ances improve with exposure; you may soon overcome that 3-foot limit.
Since mental and physical activity lessen the likelihood of seasick-ness, steering the boat, coiling lines, performing simple on-deck maintenance chores, or just engaging in conversation often stave off
motion-induced nausea. Physical posture, location on the boat, and visual orientation also signifi  cantly affect a person’s reaction to motion. Sitting upright or standing near midships, where relative motion is less exaggerated, frequently brings relief. Focusing on the horizon may alleviate the sensory confl  ict
that produces seasickness. Conversely, close-focused tasks such as reading, using binoculars, or prolonged periods belowdecks may invite the onset of seasickness and worsen its symptoms.Nutrition and hydration are key
factors in the prevention of seasickness. Some things are obvious. A greasy jalapeno-and-sausage omelet probably isn’t the best breakfast choice ahead of a day of heavy-weather sailing, but neither is abstention. A strong, well-nourished body withstands the rigors of motion far better than a weak and hu
ngry one. Choose easily digested, energy-packed foods, such as boiled eggs or oatmeal, for that pre-sail
breakfast. Menu planning for a cruise should follow the same logic: hearty but relatively bland fare for passages, saving the exotic, spicy dishes for quiet anchorages.
Fluid intake is also vitally impor-tant as a preventive measure and as treatment if seasickness does occur. Pre-hydration is a common practice
among athletes preparing for competi-tion. Ensure your body is thoroughly hydrated prior to leaving the dock to fortify it against the onset of motion sickness. Then continue to drink
adequate quantities of water once under way. Non-acidic fruit juices and mild teas offer variety with the added bonus of vitamins and nutrients, but they are not a substitute for water. Consume
Managing seasickness
Ways to cope with motion unease
by Vern Hobbs
Many popular home remedies for motion sickness might already be stored in the galley.
Resources
Websites
www.scuba-doc www.biobands www.fi  shinkona www.drugs
www.mayoclinic
Books
Take Care of Yourself  by Donald M. Vickery, M.D., and James F. Fries, M.D.The Care and Feeding of Sailing Crew  by Lin and Larry Pardey
these liquids in addition to, not in
lieu of, good old H 2O. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both substances tend to deplete and dehydrate the body.
What’s more, the latter may serve to block the secretion of another essential element, common sense.
Physical well-being affects tolerance to motion. Minor maladies, such as a
cold or simple fatigue, may invite the onset of seasickness in conditions that would other-wise appear benign. Consider the crew’s general state of
health before beginning a passage. Lin and Larry Pardey’s excellent book, The Care and Feeding of Sailing Crew , offers sound advice
about health maintenance and nutrition
for cruisers.
Home remedies
Ginger has long been used to treat seasickness; its effectiveness is not mere folklore. Ginger is a carminative herb, proven to increase bile secretion and stimulate digestion. A double-blind study demonstrated that one gram of ginger, taken 12 hours prior to
exposure to passive motion, is effective in reducing nausea. Ginger is readily available at most grocery stores in root or powder form and is also found in processed food products such as ginger cookies and ginger ale. This spice doesn’t have to be consumed raw to have an effect on seasickness. It is not
altered by cooking, so processed food
products such as ginger cookies, ginger ale, and even ginger candies, such as Preggie Pops, Queasy Pops, and Queasy Drops, will produce the same soothing effect as the raw herb while adding a few carbohydrate-based calories. Another source of ginger is ginger teas. These are available in a wide variety on most grocery-store shelves and in profusion in any health-food store.
Saltine crackers will sometimes ease the symptoms of seasickness, especially
in its early stage. Saltines are easily
digested and induce secretion of natural sugars that help calm the stomach. These crackers are also useful for treating prolonged seasickness, as they provide a digestible medium for replacing salt, an essential mineral needed to replenish depleted electrolytes.
Honey and cinnamon, taken together or separately, are reme-dies many seasoned mariners swear by. Cinnamon produces gastric benefi  ts similar to those of ginger but is found by many to have a more pleasing fl  avor. Honey provides an impressive degree of nutritional value, is soothing to the stomach, and can often be held down even in severe cases of seasickness.
Non-prescription remedies A recent visit to a local pharmacy
revealed seven non-prescription drugs advertised as preventing or treating seasickness. Many of these products were variations promising enhanced effectiveness through “extra strength” or offered in a “non-drowsy formula.” There were also a number of products intended specifi  cally for children.
All formulas, however, contained one of four FDA-approved active ingredients. A fi  fth is not yet available in the U.S.1. Dimenhydrinate, under the brand name Dramamine, may be the best-known and most widely used over-the-counter motion sickness treatment in the U.S.
2. Diphenhydramine, another common product, is marketed under the trade names Benadryl, Banophen, and Hydramine.
3. Meclizine is contained in Antivert, and the popular medication Bonine.
4. Cyclisine is the active ingredient in Marezine.
5. Cinnarizine, sold under the brand names Stugeron and Stunarone, has become an increasingly popular
non-prescription treatment within the global cruising community. However, this product lacks FDA approval and is not available in the U.S. or Canada.Independent studies have found that all these prod
ucts effectively relieve or prevent motion sickness in approxi-mately 50 percent of the people tested.
sailin
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in its early st digested natu the elec together dies many s by. Cinnamo similar to tho by many to h Honey provi of nutritiona stomach, and even in sever Non-presc
24 Good Old  Boat July/August 2011
The labels on these products warn of a host of possible side effects (drowsi-ness being the most common), some of them quite severe if the product is not used properly. Caution and perhaps the counsel of a physician is advis-able, especially when contemplating
frequent or prolonged use of these medications.
Wrist bands, sold under brand names such as Sea Band or Bio Bands, have recently found wide acceptance in the prevention of seasickness. Employing the ancient principle
of acupressure, the bands work by applying a light, steady pressure to the Nei Kuan, or P-6 pulse points located in the wrist. A more advanced version delivers a mild electrical shock to
the same points. Many sailors report that acupressure bands are effective, adding that the bands produce no side effects and have the further advantage of being reusable.
Prescription remedies
If common preventive measures and non-prescription medications fail
to prevent or effectively reduce the symptoms of seasickness, a physician may prescribe more powerful drugs. Cruising sailor Fred Bagley, M.D., points out that many doctors lack extensive experience treating motion sickness. He wisely counsels, “Educated patients who make their problems clear to their doctors are very important.”
Your doctor may prescribe Scopolamine, often administered via the popular Transderm-Scop patch
tablet defects
or sold in tablet form under the name Scopace. Following its initial release, Scopolamine was recalled amid fears
it contributed to birth defects. It was later reintroduced in a modifi ed form and has a reputation for effective and consistent results. NASA considers Scopolamine the most effective motion-sickness medicine, reporting 75 percent effectiveness in clinical testing. However, some users have reported vis
ual distortion while on the patch. Scopolamine should not be used if you have glaucoma, and it is not presently available for children.
Phenergan, compazine, ephedrine, promethazine, and emetrol are also sometimes prescribed to control seasickness and may even be available outside the U.S. without a prescription. However, these are powerful drugs that may produce signifi cant side effects.
Don’t experiment; consult a doctor
before taking new and unfamiliar
medications.
First aid
With the passage of time, the symptoms
of seasickness will usually lessen,
become sporadic, and subside.
Seasickness that persists unabated
beyond 24 hours and involves frequent
vomiting, however, will result in
dehydration and must be treated as a
medical emergency.
Divert to a safe port, if possible.
Continue to employ the preventive tech-
niques discussed and administer any
appropriate remedies and medications
available, while being mindful of known
allergies and cautionary labeling.
Encourage the affl icted crewmember
to sip water. Provide saltine crackers,
honey, applesauce, and salty broths in
small amounts but at frequent intervals.
Consult all available fi rst-aid or medical
publications. Consistently monitor the
person’s condition. Should it worsen,
consider transmitting a distress
message requesting medical assistance
or possibly evacuation.
Conclusion
As your sailing horizons broaden,
seasickness, pardon the pun, is bound
to come up. When it does, don’t ignore
it or treat it as a joke, but don’t consider
it to be a cruise-ending calamity.
Employ the preventive measures and
remedies outlined, remembering that
what works for one person may not
work for another. Keep experimenting,
within the bounds of safety, until you
discover which methods work best
for you and members of your crew.
Address seasickness as you would
any other disruptive event — equip-
ment breakdowns or unexpected bad
Vern Hobb s and his wife, Sally, sail
a Bristol 35 from their home port of
Cape Canaveral, Florida. Check out
Vern’ s new novel, Flying Fish, as well
as his maritime art at www.fl ying-fi sh-
creative.
Ginger cookies
Fred and Jennifer Bagley make sure
they have ginger cookies on hand
before each passage. T hey fi gure
a cookie or two each day may just
keep seasickness at bay. Even if this
recipe doesn’t cure mal de mer, these
cookies are mouthwatering good.
–Editors
Directions
In a large bowl, combine ¾  cup short-
ening,1 cup sugar, ¼  cup molasses,
and one egg.
In another container, combine
2 cups fl our, 2 teaspoons baking
soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon,
1 teaspoon ginger, and ½  teaspoon
ground cloves.
Blend fl our mixture into the sugar
batch. Chill the mixture for an hour
or so.
T o bake, take a small spoonful, roll
the batter in your hands into a round
ball, dip it in sugar, and place on
cookie sheet.
Cook in moderate oven (approxi-
mately 350 F). Cookies will have a
cracked surface. T ake them out after
10 to 12 minutes, depending on
whether you want them crispy (cook
a bit longer) or chewy (remove from
the oven a bit sooner).
With the passage of time, the symptoms
of seasickness will usually lessen,
become sporadic, and subside.

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