Why do some people feel carsick when looking at their phones?

Under normal circumstances, some people may experience motion sickness when using their phones due to reasons such as visual-vestibular conflict, prolonged fixed posture, vestibular hypersensitivity, migraine, or Ménière's disease. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then follow a doctor's guidance for symptom relief. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Visual-Vestibular Conflict: When looking at a phone screen up close, the eyes send stationary visual signals to the brain, while the vestibular system senses subtle body movements, causing a signal conflict that may trigger motion sickness. To help synchronize visual and vestibular signals, look up and gaze at distant objects for 1–2 minutes every 20 minutes while using your phone.

2. Prolonged Fixed Posture: Keeping the head stationary while using a phone can cause neck muscle tension, impair head blood circulation, increase vestibular system sensitivity, and trigger motion sickness. While using your phone, periodically move your neck by nodding, lifting your head, and turning side to side. Adjust the phone's height to avoid prolonged downward head tilting and maintain a naturally relaxed neck to promote blood circulation.

3. Vestibular Hypersensitivity: Individuals with naturally sensitive vestibular systems may easily experience symptoms such as dizziness and nausea from minor visual or movement stimuli. Regularly practicing simple exercises such as walking on a balance beam or standing with eyes closed after spinning can gradually improve vestibular tolerance.

4. Migraine: Patients with migraines have more sensitive brain nerves. Screen light and blue light exposure while using phones may trigger migraines, accompanied by dizziness and nausea similar to motion sickness symptoms. During symptom episodes, take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, or zolmitriptan tablets as directed by a physician to relieve pain and discomfort.

5. Ménière's Disease: Inner ear disorders affecting vestibular function can worsen balance disturbances when visually stimulated by phone use, causing or worsening symptoms like dizziness and nausea. These symptoms may also be accompanied by tinnitus and hearing loss. Follow medical advice to use medications such as betahistine mesylate tablets, hydrochlorothiazide tablets, or dexamethasone tablets to control inner ear inflammation and edema.

When using your phone, limit continuous usage to less than one hour, ensure good indoor ventilation, avoid hot and stuffy environments, maintain a light diet, and avoid prolonged phone use when overly full or on an empty stomach in order to reduce triggers for motion sickness symptoms.