Road trips may sound exciting, but for many people they quickly become uncomfortable due to motion sickness. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sweating and even vomiting can make travelling unpleasant, especially when reading a book or scrolling through a phone.
As per Hindustan Times quoted in their report, Dr Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant, Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, motion sickness occurs because the brain receives conflicting information from different parts of the body. Understanding why this happens can help travellers manage and even prevent the condition.
Why does motion sickness happen?
Motion sickness is caused by a mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear, which helps maintain balance, senses.
Dr Singh explains that while the inner ear detects the vehicle’s movement, turns and changes in speed, your eyes may remain fixed on a stationary object inside the car, such as a book or phone. This conflicting information confuses the brain, triggering symptoms including nausea, dizziness, headaches, sweating and vomiting.
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This also explains why reading or scrolling on a mobile phone often makes car sickness much worse.
Why reading in a car makes symptoms worse
When you focus on a page or phone screen, your eyes tell your brain that your body is stationary. Meanwhile, your inner ear continues detecting movement.
The stronger this sensory conflict becomes, the more intense the symptoms of motion sickness can be. For this reason, Dr Singh advises people prone to motion sickness to avoid reading or using mobile phones while travelling.
Who is more likely to experience motion sickness?
According to the doctor, motion sickness is more common among:
Children
Pregnant women
People who experience migraines
Individuals with a history of motion sickness
These groups tend to be more sensitive to the sensory mismatch that causes travel-related nausea.
8 doctor-approved tips to prevent motion sickness
Dr Singh recommends the following strategies to reduce motion sickness during travel:
Sit in the front seat whenever possible.
Look outside the window and focus on distant objects.
Keep your head still by resting it against the seat.
Ensure good ventilation or open the windows for fresh air.
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Avoid heavy or greasy meals before travelling.
Stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the journey.
Take prescribed motion sickness medication if symptoms occur frequently.
Avoid reading books or using your phone while the vehicle is moving.
When should you see a doctor?
Occasional motion sickness is common and usually manageable with simple lifestyle changes. However, if symptoms are severe, happen frequently or interfere with daily travel, consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
FAQs
Why do I feel nauseous when reading in a moving car?
Reading keeps your eyes focused on a stationary object while your inner ear senses movement, creating conflicting signals that trigger motion sickness.
What is the quickest way to reduce motion sickness?
Looking outside at distant objects, sitting in the front seat, getting fresh air and avoiding phone use or reading can help ease symptoms.
