Why do I feel nauseous and want to vomit at the thought of riding in a car, and what should I do about it?

Feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit at the mere thought of riding in a vehicle may be caused by visual-vestibular mismatch, psychological stress, motion sickness, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic gastritis. Symptoms can be improved by adjusting seating posture, relaxing mentally, or using medication. If symptoms occur frequently or worsen, prompt medical evaluation is recommended.

1. Visual-vestibular mismatch: When traveling by vehicle, the eyes perceive stationary surroundings while the inner ear vestibular system senses motion, creating conflicting signals in the brain that lead to nausea and vomiting. It is recommended to gaze at distant fixed objects outside the window, avoid reading books or using mobile devices up close, and keep the head stable to minimize movement.

2. Psychological stress: Fear or anxiety about riding in vehicles can trigger autonomic nervous system dysfunction, stimulating the gastrointestinal tract and causing nausea. Practicing deep breathing, listening to calming music before travel, planning trips in advance to reduce anxiety, and traveling with companions to help distract attention may help alleviate symptoms.

3. Motion sickness: Individuals with sensitive inner ear balance receptors may experience imbalance due to vehicle vibrations, turns, and jolts, leading to nausea, often accompanied by dizziness and cold sweats. Patients may take medications such as dimenhydrinate tablets, diphenhydramine injection, or scopolamine patches under medical guidance to relieve symptoms.

4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Weakened lower esophageal sphincter function allows stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus when body position changes during travel, causing nausea along with heartburn and retrosternal discomfort. Medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, lansoprazole enteric-coated tablets, or domperidone tablets may be used under medical supervision to alleviate symptoms.

5. Chronic gastritis: Chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa can be aggravated by vehicle vibrations during travel, intensifying inflammatory responses and resulting in nausea, often accompanied by dull upper abdominal pain and bloating. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules, hydrotalcite chewable tablets, or amoxicillin capsules to improve symptoms.

Avoid traveling on an empty stomach or immediately after heavy meals. Choose window seats to ensure good air circulation, limit intake of greasy and spicy foods, and engage in regular physical exercise to strengthen vestibular function and reduce travel-related discomfort.