You've planned a dream cruise vacation. You've visualized crystal-clear waters, imagined exotic ports of call and anticipated relaxing moments on deck. But, there's that little voice in your head that whispers: what if my stomach decides to spoil the party?

Imagine yourself: As the sun slowly sets over the horizon, you feel yourself living in the moment. But suddenly, an unexpected swell reminds you that your body doesn't quite agree with this beautiful maritime romance. Nausea threatens, cold sweats appear, and you wonder: why now?

Don't panic. Seasickness, that out-of-sync dance between your brain and the waves, can affect the best of us!

But with a few simple, effective tips, you can dampen this sensation and regain control of your sea voyage.

With Orca Retail, get ready to find out how to prevent and treat seasickness, so you can enjoy every moment of your vacation with complete peace of mind.

Where does seasickness come from? Causes

It all starts at the origin of your inner ear. Think of it as a miniature gyroscope that allows your body to find its way through space and maintain its balance. During a boat trip, the ship's movements disturb this sensitive system, sending contradictory signals to the brain.

On the one hand,your eyes perceive a stable environment:the boat seems motionless and the horizon doesn't move. On the other, your inner ear, tossed by the waves, feels significant movements.

It's this information mismatch that creates sensory confusion in the brain, and causes motion sickness or seasickness.

What are the symptoms of seasickness?

Unable to reconcile this contradictory information,the brain becomes disoriented. It then triggers a series of physiological reactions in an attempt to restore balance, hence the unpleasant symptoms of seasickness:

Nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation: the body tries to get rid of substances it thinks are responsible for the malaise.
Paleness and cold sweats: signs of autonomic nervous system disturbance.
Fatigue, drowsiness: the body fights against imbalance and uses energy to adapt.
Headaches, headaches: nervous tension can result in headaches.

These symptoms can vary in intensity from person to person, and are usually more marked at the start of the voyage, often subsiding after a few days at sea.

How to act upstream to prevent seasickness

To minimize the risk of seasickness, we recommend taking several preventive measures:

Cabin choice: Opt for a cabin located amidships, where movements are less felt.
Stress management:Reduce anxiety by arriving in port early and relaxing on the boat. Breathe deeply and regularly to calm your nervous system.
Position on the boat:Stay outside as much as possible, staring at the horizon to limit the sensation of movement. Avoid reading or using electronic devices that may increase symptoms.
Clothing and hydration: Dress comfortably for the climate at sea and make sure you stay hydrated throughout the trip.
Dietary: Eat light meals before and during travel to avoid an empty or overfull stomach, which can worsen symptoms. Avoid fatty, heavy foods.

Foods to avoid (rich in histamine or irritating to the stomach):

Canned or prepared foods
Alcohol, red wine
Cocoa, chocolate
Black and green tea
Seafood
Nuts
Tomates
Fraises
Légumineuses
Agrumes
Fromage
Soybeans
Yeast and wheat products
Fresh meat and white fish (stomach irritants, increase gastric acid)

Recommended foods:

Bananes
Fresh fruit and vegetables (except citrus)
Carrots, raw
Light soups
Biscottes
Chamomile, mint and ginger infusions

How to treat seasickness after symptoms appear

Natural remedies and alternative medicine

Soothing essential oils

Essential oils such as peppermint and ginger are known for their anti-nausea properties. Apply a few drops of peppermint or ginger essential oil to a handkerchief or portable diffuser and breathe deeply to relieve nausea.

Acupressure bands

Acupressure bands are specially designed bracelets with a small ball that exerts pressure on the P6/Nei-Kuan acupuncture point, located about two finger widths behind the wrist. This point is known in traditional Chinese medicine to combat nausea by regulating body energy. Wear these bracelets around your wrists for continuous stimulation and relief from seasickness symptoms.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is effective at breaking down the neurotransmitter histamine, often associated with allergic reactions and nausea. Professor Dr Reinhart Jarisch has confirmed its effectiveness in several studies. Start taking vitamin C a week before your sea trip, at a dose of one to two grams a day. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, as well as peppers and roseilles, are good natural sources of vitamin C. You can also take it in capsule form for ease of use while cruising.

Gingembre

In addition to its olfactory properties, ginger can also be ingested to reduce nausea, dizziness and cold sweats. It was used in the ancient navy, often chewed into pieces to combat seasickness. Today, it's available in various forms such as ginger tea, ginger candies, confit ginger and even ginger powder capsules like Zintona. Ginger acts similarly to antihistamines, but is gentler on the stomach.

Médicaments

For more severe or recurrent cases, drugs such as metopimazine, antihistamines or scopolamine may be prescribed. These drugs work by reducing symptoms of nausea and dizziness, but they can cause drowsiness and require a doctor's prescription.

Metopimazine (Vogalib®)

This medication is effective in reducing vomiting associated with seasickness.

Antihistamines (Mercalm®, Nausicalm® or Nautamine®)

These drugs are recommended to reduce the risk of nausea. It's crucial to consult a doctor before use, as some antihistamines are not suitable for children under 2 or even 6 years of age.

Scopolamine (Scopoderm®)

This drug works by blocking the transmission of disturbing information from the inner ear to the brain, helping to prevent seasickness. It requires a medical prescription to be obtained and used safely.

Conclusion

So, ready to cast off without fear of seasickness?

With these simple tips at your fingertips, you can say goodbye to worries and hello to a smooth cruise.

May your adventures at sea be filled with joy and discovery, savor every moment, in complete tranquility. Godspeed and bon voyage!

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