Seasickness
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| Sea-sickness | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | T75.3 |
| ICD-9 | 994.6 |
Seasickness is a form of motion sickness characterized by a feeling of nausea and, in extreme cases, vertigo, experienced after spending time on a craft on water.[1] Some people are particularly vulnerable to the condition with minor stimulus, while others are relatively immune, or become immune through exposure.[1] It is hazardous for scuba divers[2] who, through dehydration following vomiting, are at increased risk of decompression illness.
It is common wisdom that this annoyance is caused by the rocking motion of the craft. Indeed when we run, dance or ski, we give to our abdominal parts a much more intense shock, without any major side effect. Consequently most people tend to concentrate on the inner surroundings, or close the eyes and try to sleep. This will cause the worst effect of the disturbance.
The real cause is in the mind, which receives conflicting signals: while the eyes show a world that is still, our body, and in particular the equilibrium sensors located in our ears, send signals of a moving environment. This discordance causes the mind to send to the whole body a general alarm signal, in order to stop all activities, in particular the most complex of all: the digestion process.
[edit] Prevention and remedy
The only, and quite simple way, to re-synchronize the signals is a conduct that will help our eyes to send the proper information of the movement.
First of all, try to sit outside. If inside, stay in a position where you can see though the windows on as many sides of the outside world as possible.
Focus on the horizon, turning the head repeatedly on both sides. Contrast the tendency of the eyes to focus on the objects nearby. Soon you will experience the alternate switching of the reference system from that of the ship, where this is still and the windows show moving pictures, to that of the outside world, in which the horizon is perfectly still and the contours of the ship, out of focus, move much like if you were standing on a huge surfboard.
If you can stabilize on this latter reference system, the disturbance will disappear almost immediately.
There are behavioral methods to help the synchronization of the senses, such as being fully aware of the movements of the boat and anticipating them. It may help to imagine you are actually driving the ship: put you hands on the front seat as if it were a steering wheel, and make the accompanying slight movements of the whole body. Avoid reading, watching TV, and even talking to neighbors. After some time, depending on the individual, the mind will be oriented, and it will be possible to resume all normal activities.
Drugs are not effective for everyone, moreover they treat the effects not the cause. However, the following is a list of those that are most commonly prescribed or taken:
Over-the-counter medications such as Cinnarizine/Stugeron and prescription medications such as dimenhydrinate,[3] scopolamine[4] and promethazine[5] (as transdermal patches and tablets) are readily available. As these medications often have side effects, anyone involved in high-risk activities while at sea (such as SCUBA divers) must evaluate the risks versus the benefits.[6][7][8][9] Promethazine is especially known to cause drowsiness, which is often counteracted by ephedrine in a combination known as "the Coast Guard cocktail."[10]
Ginger capsules are also considered effective in preventing motion sickness.[11]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Benson, Alan J. (2002). "Motion Sickness". In Kent B. Pandoff and Robert E. Burr. Medical Aspects of Harsh Environments. 2. Washington, D.C.: Borden Institute. pp. 1048–1083. ISBN 978-0-16-051184-4. http://www.bordeninstitute.army.mil/published_volumes/harshEnv2/HE2ch35.pdf. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
- ^ Norfleet WT, Peterson RE, Hamilton RW, Olstad CS (January 1992). "Susceptibility of divers in open water to motion sickness". Undersea Biomedical Research 19 (1): 41–7. PMID 1536062. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2621. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
- ^ Weinstein SE, Stern RM (October 1997). "Comparison of marezine and dramamine in preventing symptoms of motion sickness". Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 68 (10): 890–4. PMID 9327113.
- ^ Spinks AB, Wasiak J, Villanueva EV, Bernath V (July 2007). Wasiak, Jason. ed. "Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 18 (3): CD002851. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002851.pub3. PMID 17636710.
- ^ "Phenergan information". Drugs.com. http://www.drugs.com/phenergan.html. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ Schwartz, Henry JC and Curley, Michael D (1986). "Transdermal Scopolamine in the Hyperbaric Environment". United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit Technical Report. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/3528. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Bitterman N, Eilender E, Melamed Y (May 1991). "Hyperbaric oxygen and scopolamine". Undersea Biomedical Research 18 (3): 167–74. PMID 1853467. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2573. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Williams TH, Wilkinson AR, Davis FM, Frampton CM (March 1988). "Effects of transcutaneous scopolamine and depth on diver performance". Undersea Biomedical Research 15 (2): 89–98. PMID 3363755. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2495. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Arieli R, Shupak A, Shachal B, Shenedrey A, Ertracht O, Rashkovan G (1999). "Effect of the anti-motion-sickness medication cinnarizine on central nervous system oxygen toxicity". Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine 26 (2): 105–9. PMID 10372430. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2307. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ East Carolina University Department of Diving & Water Safety. "Seasickness: Information and Treatment". http://www.ecu.edu/diving/AFSCseasickness.pdf.
- ^ Ernst E, Pittler MH (1 March 2000). "Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials". British Journal of Anaesthesia 84 (3): 367–71. PMID 10793599. http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10793599.
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