What Exactly is Seasickness or Motion Sickness?
Seasickness is what happens when you travel and your brain and your inner ear perceive movement that don’t quite match up. Your brain gets confused because your inner ear senses motion but your eyes are telling you that there is no movement. It is a battle of the senses which can result in dizziness, nausea, sweating, headache, cold sweats and vomiting.

It can happen to anyone, luckily many factors and common symptoms can be easily controlled, prevented and treated. A dream fishing trip can become an absolute nightmare if the boat’s motion causes you to become seasick.

In order to prevent or at least reduce motion sickness unpleasant effects, we have a few tips about some popular methods and remedies used to prevent seasickness. But, please keep in mind that what works for you may not work for others so it’s a good idea to have a few options, just in case.
Also keep in mind that this information is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for any medical treatment. Please seek the advice of a healthcare professional for your specific health concerns.

Prescription Patch, Scopolamine
The patch, sold under the brand name Transderm Scop, contains the drug Scopolamine is proven as the most successful commercial seasickness medication on the market. Worn behind the ear, it works similarly to antihistamines, such as Dramamine, but it’s longer-lasting than antihistamines, releasing the medication over three days.
If you have never used it before, we suggest using one at home first. You don’t want to find out that you have an adverse reaction to it when you’re several miles out at sea.

Over-The-Counter Antihistamines, Medications
Most of these medications work by counteracting the effect of chemicals released by the brain during seasickness, and block the signals at the areas in the brain that control nausea and vomiting. Remember that the most common side effect of these medications is drowsiness, and alcohol will exacerbate this.


NON-MEDICATION ALTERNATIVES
Green Apples and Citrus Candy
Seasoned scuba divers and ship crew members swear that eating green apples or citrus candy helps with nausea

Ginger
If you prefer an herbal remedy you can use natural Ginger root. This spicy root helps with digestion, which alleviates nausea associated with motion sickness. Ginger root can be consumed in any shape of form including pills, capsules, ginger powder, etc. Note: Ginger can thin the blood, so consult your doctor first if you’re on blood-pressure medication.

Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause symptoms of seasickness to start or make them worse if you are already feeling poorly. If you know you are going to drink alcohol during your boat trip, take a B vitamin capsules with you to help fight the effects of dehydration.

If you start to feel sea sickness symptoms which include chills, headache and frequent burping, try the following.

View the Horizon
Look up and out, just look out on the horizon, which usually appears very stable. Your peripheral vision will see the ocean swells that you feel. The whole picture will make more sense to your brain, you will regain your equilibrium and fight the subtle feelings of vertigo that cause seasickness.


Center of the Boat
Sit at the center of the boat where the rocking and rolling is less amplified.

Do Not Read or Use the Phone
When you’re sitting on a boat that’s rolling on the water, the body, inner ear and eyes all send different signals to the brain. Forget your phone for a while, don’t read because focusing your eyes on an apparently stationary target makes them even more convinced that your middle ears are wrong.

AVOID KEY TRIGGERS
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the seasickness once you are on the sea, so try avoiding the following 24 hours prior to sailing:

1 - Alcohol
2 - Coffee and orange juice – they are acidic and may irritate your stomach
3 - Spicy, heavy, fatty, greasy food and large meals
4 - Food with high level of salt and sugar

Hopefully this information will help you so that you can have a great day on the water. Please consider some of the tips mentioned and protect yourself before the trip.