I get woken up at night due to shortness of breath, and I also feel a bit like I have motion sickness.
I am a 45-year-old middle-aged male. Recently, I have frequently experienced episodes of waking up at night due to breathlessness shortly after falling asleep. Upon waking, I feel discomfort similar to motion sickness, which affects my sleep quality.
Waking up at night due to shortness of breath, accompanied by a sensation resembling motion sickness, may be related to multiple health issues. Firstly, cardiac conditions such as angina or myocardial infarction may cause symptoms like chest tightness and palpitations, especially when lying flat at night, which increases the burden on the heart and makes discomfort more likely. Additionally, ear, nose, and throat problems such as nasal polyps or enlarged tonsils may also affect breathing and lead to similar symptoms. The sensation resembling motion sickness might be related to dysfunction of the inner ear or an abnormal response of the brain to motion stimuli.
Given the severity of these symptoms and the potential cardiac risks, it is recommended that patients seek prompt medical consultation for a comprehensive physical examination, including electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and gastroscopy, to rule out cardiac diseases and gastrointestinal problems. At the same time, patients should try to improve their sleep environment—for example, by adjusting pillow height, keeping the bedroom well-ventilated, avoiding alcohol consumption and sedative medications before bedtime, maintaining healthy dietary habits, avoiding spicy or greasy foods, and not eating excessive meals before sleep. Patients should also learn techniques for psychological adjustment, such as deep breathing and meditation, to reduce anxiety and stress. If necessary, consultation with a psychologist or sleep specialist may be beneficial to obtain professional psychological support and treatment recommendations.