Reading in a moving vehicle can cause sickness. This phenomenon, motion sickness, arises from a specific physiological response. Understanding its causes and prevention strategies can be helpful.
The Sensory Conflict Explained
The reason for feeling unwell when reading in a car stems from a mismatch in the sensory information received by your brain. Your body relies on several systems to determine its position and movement, including your eyes, your inner ear (vestibular system), and proprioceptors in your muscles and joints. When you are reading, your eyes are fixed on a stationary object, the book or screen, signaling to your brain that you are still.
Simultaneously, your inner ear, which contains fluid-filled canals that detect motion and changes in head position, sends signals to your brain indicating that you are moving, experiencing turns, accelerations, and bumps. This creates a “sensory conflict” where different sensory inputs provide contradictory information about your state of motion. The brain, unable to reconcile these conflicting signals, can interpret this confusion as a sign of poisoning, triggering a protective response that includes nausea.
Common Symptoms and Exacerbating Factors
When this sensory conflict occurs, symptoms can manifest. Nausea is a common symptom, often accompanied by unease. Dizziness, lightheadedness, and vomiting can also occur. Other signs include cold sweats, increased salivation, rapid breathing, headache, and fatigue.
Several factors can intensify these symptoms. Vehicle movement plays a role; frequent stops, starts, and sharp turns can worsen the sensory mismatch compared to smoother, continuous motion. Poor ventilation can also contribute to discomfort, as can focusing on digital screens, which often have similar effects to reading a physical book. Anxiety about experiencing motion sickness can exacerbate the condition.
Strategies for Prevention and Relief
To prevent or alleviate motion sickness when reading in a car, several strategies can be employed. Periodically looking up from your reading material and focusing on the distant horizon can help synchronize the visual and vestibular inputs to your brain. Taking frequent short breaks from reading and looking out the window provides opportunities for your senses to recalibrate. Ensuring good air circulation by opening a window or adjusting vents can offer relief.
Choosing a seat that minimizes perceived motion, such as the front passenger seat, can be beneficial. Before traveling, avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy meals, opting instead for light snacks. Over-the-counter remedies, such as antihistamines, can be effective in preventing motion sickness symptoms when taken before travel, though they may cause drowsiness. Some individuals find relief from natural options like ginger, consumed as tea, candies, or supplements.