Depending upon the dominant type of symptoms, seasickness is divided into three forms: nervous, gastro-intestinal, and cardiovascular. Various medications are recommended appropriate to these forms. The first goal is normalization of impaired system functions as well as metabolism and the electrolyte and acid-base condition of the organism. Dietary recommendations are made and specific suggestions on the use of physical exercise, including prophylatic vestibular training exercises

Yefremenko, M.

English

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5NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20546	 K%RCH 1980
RJR" NNW
.	 r
NASA TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM	 NASA TM-76108
PROPHYIAXT.S AND TREATMENT OF SEASICKNESS
M. Yefremenk-.N
Translation of "Profilaktika i lecheniye morskoy bolezni,"
Morskoy Sborni.k, No. 6, June 1979, pp 40-42.
(NASA-Td-76108) PROEHY:LAXIS AND TREATMENT
OF SEASICKNESS (National Aeronautics and
Space AdministratioD) 7 p HC A02/MF A01
CSCL 06E
G5/52
N80-21024
Unclas
47628
M. Yefremenko
Major in Medical Service
PROPHYLMIS AND TREATMRV OF SEASICKNM'
Providing methods for safeguarding the health of the personnel on a distant /40*
cruise has been a perpetual preoccupation of the cc mander. Particularly relevant is
prophylaxis and treatment of seasickness, since the number affected among young
sailors is sometimes fairly large.
When the ship is rocking a human being experiences disruption of many physio-
logical functions and organic systems that may induce the development of acute ill-
nesses or the flareup of chronic ones and the result is reduced or sometimes totally
lost work capacity.
Provisionally we may distinguish two variations of seasickness, latent and o-
vert. The first is marked by feeling poorly in general (feeling of discomfort), mild
weakness, a heavy head and a moderate drop in work capacity. In the second case some
sort of disorder appears in almost all organs of the human body. As a rule they are
noted in the central and autonomic nervous systems, the cardiovascular system, 'the
organs of the gastrointestinal tract, etc. In this context there is often headache,
vertigo, nausea, vomiting, paling of the cutaneous integuments, interrupted pulse
and the onset of cold shivering.
The clinical approach to seasickness is marked by the large diversity in combin-
ations of the symptcros previously enumerated. However, depending upon the dominant /41
type of phenomena the illness runs its course in the following forms: nervous, gas-
trointestinal, cardiovascular and mixed. Each form presents'varying degrees of ser-
iousness. Of course such a division into clinical forms is provisional and schema-
tic but it is convenient for the application of concrete thereapeutic measures.
In seasickness prophylaxis the most important feature is medical supervision of
*
Numbers in the margin indicate pagination in the foreign text.
1
the crew's condition of health. An important part is played by training aimed at
enhancing the statokinetic stability of the organism as well as sanitary-hygienic
measures, psychohygiene and psychoprophylaxis. Drugs are used in extreme cases.
It is reconmwxled that before sailing the physician examine every newly ar-
rived specialist to determine the subject's degree of vestibular reaction. For this
purpose the revolving seats at the oombat stations may be used. Those who are very
sensitive to rolling motion should be put under special medical supervision and pro-
phylactic measures applied in their case.
it should be noted, that increased statokinetic stability in sailors is prcwt-
ed by physical education and sports of all kinds. Experience has shown, that the
most effective are swimdng, diving, basketball, soccer, ice skating. It is neces-
sary that when they are studying in training units and institutions the students do
special gymnastic exercises including acceleration movements of the head and torso.
As an example we cite one of the sets o- !` morning physical exercises which we
use under any and all conditions. This may be done standing or sitting in a chair
but it must be done with eyes closed. on ccmnand the sailor begins to turn his head
to the right (left) as far as it will go, back and forward (nods) and to either side
and then makes circular head motions from right to left and vice versa.
Each type of exercise is to be done for one minute at an initial pace of 30
movements/miY, gradually increasing the speed if possible to 120/min.
The hygienic measures should be aimed chiefly at eliminating factors that favor
development of seasickness. For this purpose the living and working quarters (aomm-
partments) of the ship must be aired (ventilated) and the temperature in these areas
not permitted to rise.
Sleep is powerful prophylactic. For most people suffering from seasickness the
illness is mitigated or disappears during sleep. Fbllowing sleep a person does not
experience the rolling sensation and therefore, since this lasts for 2-3 hours, it
is important that a sailor sleep before going on watch.
3
In the battle against seasickness an important part is played by psychohygiene
2
and psychoprophylaxis, aimed at maintaining and improving health, the development of
willpower, restraint, stability of disposition, self-demanding qualities, courage, op-
timism, etc. Autogenous training is also effective.
In treating seasickness the first goal to be attained is normalization of the
diszupted functions of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and of the gastro-in-
testinal tract as well as metabolism and the electrolyte and acid-base conditions of
the organism. It must be done as a whole and at the same time with differentiation
and with an eye to the special features of the clinical picture, the degree of overt-
ness and the general condition of the seasick patient's health.
Thus, for management of the dyspeptic syndrome, noted with special frequency
among persons with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the indication is anes
thesin at a dosage of 0.25 three times a day or novocain 0.25-30.0% three times a
day. If the dominant disturbances are in the cardiovascular system the patient should
put validol under the tongue; likewise preparations should be taken that are usually
prescribed for diseases of the cardiovascular system (corvalol, valocordine, cardia-
mine, Zelenin drops, etc.). In cases where the chief symptoms are neuralgic, insem-
nia, excitation, headache, an approved remedy is 0.25-0.05 aminazine three times a
day. It should also be given prophylactically to persons predisposed to seasickness
when on the voyage rough weather seems to be in the offing. 	 f42
A sedative indicated for seasickness is scopolamine in doses of 0.6-1 mg. It is
effective for up to 48 hours.
Fbr nervous forms of seasickness the remedies used should be medinal, the mix-
tures of P. I. Syabro and R. A. Okunev, suprastine, dramamine, pipolphene, diprazine,
dedalone, etc. However patients taking these drugs present mouth dryness, headache
and somolence. The medical staff should keep an eye on such sailors.
In the treatment of seasickness use is also made of 'substances that enhance the
non-specific resistance of the organism. Her belong vitamins, dibasol, ginseng, Schi-
zandra, etc. It is reomv ended that 15 mg of vitamin B6 be given in 24 hours to nor-
malize vitamin balance and metabolism and also to enhance vestibular resistance. On
a long voyage a complex aerovit-polyvitamin preparation may be given, 1 tablet twice
The physieal arrangements on board should be such that attention is diverted
(shifted) fram the rocking of the vessel. Physical labor in the open air is good as
well as training at battle stations. Sailors feel more cmnfortable in the central
parts of the vessel, where the rocking effect on the organism is less. It is recon--
mended that leisure time be spent lying on one's back or. a bunk parallel to the side
or sitting in a seat with head slightly tilted back.
Dietary organization is highly important. We know, that a rocking motion inhi-
bits the secretory function of the stomach resulting in the appearance of dyspeptic
symptoms. Therefore on the voyage it is important to emphasize in the sailors' food
ration such items as lean meat, boullion, vegetable soups, beet soup, pickled cucum-
ber soup, herring, and juices, which prcmote abundant juice secretion. If possible
it is good to take food when the first signs of rocking are noticed, since the gastro-
intestinal symptems are more pronounced with tossing that sets in immediately after
eating. When one eats during stormy weather, it is suggested that acidinpensin be
taken. Cranberry extract should be added to the drinking water and tea. Vegetable
and fruit juices are helpful. since the rocking motion disturbs the vitamin-protein
metabolism, it is important during the voyage to add multivitamins, especially those
of the B group, to the sailors' food ration.
These are some of the basic things the ship's doctor should know, as well as o-
ther naval officers, so as to carry out effectively therapeutic-prophylactic measures
aimed at enhancing the work capacity of personnel.
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FMRENCRS
1. Senenko, A. N. (ed.), Vbwuv -rrorskaya terapiya. Uchebnik pod redaktsiyey A. N.
^cnerilco [Naval Therapy.
	 t	 A. N.
	
4 0j , PublisHZTEFfhe
Kirov Naval Academy, 1977, p. 99.
5


Prophylaxis and treatment of seasickness

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