What is seasickness? How can one feel sick by looking at water?

There’s no denying that sitting by the river or sea is the most relaxing experience, but have you ever felt a strange pull towards the water after staring at it for a long time or started feeling sudden nausea or a headache while traveling in a boat or cruise? Then these may be the subtle signs of seasickness.

But what exactly is it? Here’s all you need to know.What is seasickness?Seasickness happens when your eyes and inner ear don't agree on what's going on. Your inner ear has a system that helps you balance. When you are on a boat or ship, your inner ear feels the waves moving in all directions. If you look at something inside the boat like a wall or a book, your eyes tell your brain that you're not moving. This mixed-up information confuses your brain.

Your brain thinks your body is being poisoned and tries to protect you by making you feel sick.

Feeling sick by looking at the waterYou don't even have to be on a boat to feel sick. Just looking at moving water can make you feel this way. This is called induced motion sickness (VIMS). When you are standing on a dock or shoreline your inner ear and feet tell your brain that you are not moving. If you look at the waves or moving water, your eyes see a lot of movement.

This mixed-up information makes your brain think you're moving even if you're not.Recognizing the SymptomsSeasickness usually starts slowly. The first signs might be yawning, a headache feeling restless or looking pale. As it gets worse, you might start to sweat feel dizzy and get stomach problems.How to prevent and manage itIf you get seasick, try to help your eyes and inner ear agree. If you are on a boat look at the horizon. This gives your eyes a point to look at. Staying in the middle of the boat can also help. You can take medicine to help calm your ear before you get on the boat.* Take over-the-counter medications like dimenhydrinate* Use prescription scopolamine patches* Stay in the middle of the vessel* Look out at the stable horizon rather than the moving water right next, to the ship