[Causes and treatment of seasickness]

Seasickness is usually induced by conflicting sensory cues. However, very little is known about the neural pathways and processes which play a role in the development of nausea. Since the symptoms, for example, pallor, sweating and vomiting are all of parasympathetic origin, the common antiemetic drugs are anticholinergically efficient. More recently, additional drugs and modified forms of application have been introduced to reduce the soporific side effects. It is pointed out that onboard behaviour and even choice of vessel can be of more importance than use of antivertiginous drugs. Besides attention to the individual adaptation to the atypical seagoing environment, simple behaviour patterns such as fixation on the horizon, avoiding of head movements and reduction of conflicting sensory cues can be very effective in reducing symptoms.