Vertigo Related to a Cruise

Vertigo is a condition that results from an inner ear disorder. The symptoms include a sense of spinning, headaches and nausea. The constant motion of a cruise ship can lead to case vertigo.

Cause

• The most common cause of vertigo is motion sickness, according to Merck.com. Motion sickness develops when the inner ear is particularly sensitive to specific motions, such as swaying or rocking.

Symptoms

• A person who experiences vertigo on a cruise will often feel dizzy, nauseated, uncomfortable and off-balance. Occasionally, vertigo might result in vomiting and unusual eye movements.

Mal de Debarquement Syndrome

• Mal de Debarquement Syndrome is a specific type of vertigo that occurs after departing a cruise. Upon returning to land, a person with MDD develops a swaying sensation and dizziness that can last for many days to many years.

Drug Treatments

• Transderm Scop is a scopolamine patch that is available by prescription; when applied behind the ear eight hours before embarking on a cruise, it may prevent vertigo. Other drug treatments include Dramamine, Benadryl and Meclizine.

Prevention Techniques

• To prevent the onset of vertigo on a cruise, CruiseCritic.com recommends spending as much time on the deck as possible, using the horizon to maintain equilibrium. A person prone to vertigo might also select a cruise that spends a majority of the time docked at a port.