SEASICKNESS - CURRENT STATE OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ISSUE

The paper describes the current state of development of seasickness as one of movement disease variants. The given type of pathology occurs when combining different types of ship’s motion (rolling and pitching). Circular, vertical and slow movements induce more pronounced and frequent signs of seasickness than linear, horizontal and quick ones. In the view of majority of researchers, the most likely is an intersensory conflict theory i.e. violation of coherent functioning of afferent body systems performing spatial orientation, statokinetic equilibrium and keeping balance. The leading role is played by the functional dysfunction of the vestibular analyzer. The classification of means of preventing and stopping of motion sickness is given, the mechanisms of their action, specific activity and side effects are described. It has been shown that currently the most effective drugs are M-cholinergic antagonists (scopolamine hydrobromide) and H1-histamine antagonists of the 1st generation (dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, cyclizine, meclizine, promethazine, etc.). Of the antipsychotics and blockers of D2receptors, prochlorperazine and metoclopramide are recommended. It is also worth to use prokinetics (domperidone, cisapride, renzapride, etc.), tranquilizers (barbiturates, benzodiazepines), sleeping pills and local anesthetics. Particular attention is paid to combination drugs, consisting of antiemetic and psychostimulating drugs, designed to maintain working capacity under the influence of seasickness factors on the body. Non-pharmacological means of preventing seasickness and alleviating its symptoms are described. The main directions of improving the system of measures aimed at maintaining efficiency in the presence of symptoms of seasickness are determined.