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Few things can spoil a day at sea faster than a bout of seasickness. People from all walks of life can experience motion sickness, whether it occurs on the water, in a moving car or even on an amusement park ride. Those who have experienced it may avoid activities that spark symptoms or may be eager to find ways to prevent it in the future.

Evidence suggests that seasickness can affect nearly all the passengers on a cruise ship during rough water conditions. Seasickness often occurs as a result of a conflict of bodily senses. A fluid-filled canal in the inner ear called the vestibular system controls a person's sense of balance, telling the body that it is moving. When you are in an enclosed ship cabin or not paying attention to the moving ship around you, the ears will tell you that you are moving, but your eyes may advise the brain that you're not. This conflict can cause your body to be out of balance and can also create discomfort in the digestive system and feelings of nausea.

Researchers at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, reported in 2003 that 70 percent of research subjects with severe motion sickness had abnormalities of the vestibular system. These abnormalities are often found in patients diagnosed with migraines or Meniere's disease. Therefore, if you are prone to headaches, you may have a heightened risk for motion sickness.

There are many different symptoms of seasickness. These include fatigue, cold sweats, headache, increased salivation, vomiting, rapid breathing, difficulty concentrating, panic, frequent yawning, and even a buzzing sensation.

If you are interested in preventing seasickness, there are some things to try. It may take some trial and error to find the method that works for you, as there is no universal cure for sufferers of seasickness.

* Avoid troublesome foods. Do not eat greasy or acidic foods or dairy products several hours before traveling. It's best to avoid heavy foods that will be sloshing around in your stomach when setting sail. In addition, steer clear of diuretics like alcohol and caffeine that can cause your body to dehydrate faster.

* Drink plenty of water. Even partial dehydration lowers your body's resistance to the stress caused by a boat ride.

* Avoid being overheated, which can exacerbate feelings of nausea.

* Eat a light meal a few hours before going out on the water. This will keep stomach acids busy on food rather than causing agita on the trip.

* Try to avoid the cabin and other contained spaces. Fresh air and the ability to look at the horizon can help balance the information received from the eyes and the ears.

* Stay in the center of the boat, which is often the steadiest area. The bow and the stern will have more motion and can contribute to seasickness.

* Avoid lying down if you become queasy. It's best to stand up and look at the horizon. You also may want to steer the boat for a few minutes. This can reset the signals being received by the brain.

* Natural remedies, such as ginger, can alleviate stomach ailments. The same can be said of sucking on peppermint candies.

* For those who have found that natural remedies don't work, prescription medications or over-the-counter remedies might work. Many of the medicines offered for seasickness, such as Dramamine, are antihistamines. Side effects can include drowsiness, so caution should be used if operating machinery. Longer trips may require a prescription medication called scopolamine. Formerly used in a transdermal skin patch, travelers must now ask their doctor to prescribe it in the form of a gel. In gel form, scopolamine is most effective when smeared on the arm or neck and covered with a bandage.

It is important for adults not to try these remedies on a child before consulting with a doctor to ensure they are safe. Some medications are not to be used in children under the age of 6.

Although there is no cure for seasickness, most of the symptoms can be prevented or controlled through different methods. It is easier to prevent seasickness rather than treat it once it is in full force. Keep in mind that setting your sights on the horizon and preventing the balance of messages being received by the brain to go off kilter is one of the easiest ways to prevent seasickness and other forms of motion sickness.

If you are planning a trip, experiment with nonmedical remedies on a docked boat. Otherwise, talk with your doctor about which methods he or she advises for bad cases of motion sickness.