"Motion Sickness - 15 Things That May Help"

The ship was constantly tossing up and down, as we plowed into each wave. By the time we arrived at our 'fishing hole', well, the last thing I had on my mind was fishing. I spent most of my time below deck in the snack bar trying to recover.

In fact, after returning to dry land, it was the next day before I began to experience any relief. I discovered that sea sickness can be a very unpleasant experience.

If you're in a plane, it's called airsickness. In an automobile, it's called carsickness. These conditions are collectively known as motion sickness.

To help keep our bodies functioning with a proper balance, our sensory systems are constantly collecting information about our surroundings, sending it to our inner ears.

When you notice the symptoms are starting, it can be very difficult to stop them, especially when nausea sets in.

• Abdominal discomfort
• Cold sweats
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

1. Don't smoke. If you're a cigarette smoker, don't fool yourself into thinking that that butt you know and love will help ease your pain. Cigarette smoke can only contribute to the impending nausea, so move to the non-smoking section of whatever vehicle you happen to be on.
2. Don't think about it. Try not to think about your uncomfortable state. This condition can be partly psychological. If you think you're probably going to throw up, you probably will. Instead, think pleasant thoughts.
3. Travel during evening hours. The odds that you will become sick decrease when traveling at night, as you are unable to see the motion as well as you can during daylight hours.
4. Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol can confuse how the brain handles information about its environment and can set off the symptoms of this condition. In addition, alcohol can dissolve into the fluids in your inner ear, complicating matters. So, drink in moderation when traveling by plane or boat.
5. Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before traveling. Your chances of developing this condition increase the more fatigued you are, so make sure you get a good nights sleep before traveling.
6. Take ginger. A popular herbal remedy for this condition is Ginger. In mild cases, researchers found that it may reduce the symptoms associated with it, but only if the nausea isn't severe. In one study of 1,489 people on a boat, Ginger was found to be as effective as prescription medications.
7. Apply a cold pack to your forehead. Research done at Penn State University indicates that applying a cold pack to your forehead may help to minimize your symptoms.
8. Put a drop of peppermint under your nose. By putting a small drop of peppermint oil under your nose, you can help to ease stomach discomfort.
9. Sit still. Don't add to your problems by excessive motion. Your brain is already confused enough as it is. Try to keep your head from moving as much as possible.
10. Don't stay below deck in a boat. If you're on a boat, staying below deck, especially in a poorly ventilated area, can contribute to your discomfort.
11. Apply pressure to the forearm. According to traditional Chinese medicine, pressing on an acupuncture point on the inside of the forearm, just above the crease of the wrist with the index finger of the opposite hand can help.
12. Avoid reading in the car. If you read while riding in a car, the movement of the vehicle makes the printed matter on the page move, which can make you dizzy.
13. Get some fresh air. Sometimes, it's a good idea to stop driving and take a break, and get some fresh air. Stopping frequently can make a big difference.
14. Eat a wintergreen mint. One simple remedy that may help is to suck on a wintergreen lifesaver. It may help to ease your discomfort while leaving your breath feeling minty fresh.
15. Get into the driver's seat. When you switch from the passenger side to the driver's-side, you are looking straight ahead which will help ease the symptoms.

Looking back 25 years, can I remember the anticipation I felt about venturing out into international waters. However, I had no idea of how uncomfortable motion sickness could be, with the nausea, the dizziness, as my brain tried to sort out the mixed messages I received while at sea.

Unfortunately, I guess I'll never be a sailor. I think I'll probably do my fishing from the local pier from now on.