Burning in the sternum is an unpleasant sensation that causes discomfort and adversely affects the quality of our lives. In the chest there are many different organs, diseases of which can manifest themselves with this unpleasant sensation.
Causes of burning in the chest
A frequent complaint with which a person turns to a doctor is a burning sensation in the sternum in the middle. The reasons for these sensations can be very diverse, both requiring no treatment, or more serious. Of the most common, cardiovascular, mental, catarrhal diseases, malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract, osteochondrosis, etc.
Burning in the chest as a sign of diseases of the cardiovascular system
Burning in the sternum on the left is not always a sign of heart ailments, as is commonly believed. Such pains are most often localized in the center of the sternum.
Myocardial infarction is a very dangerous disease. The occurrence of burning in the chest can just be a symptom of a heart attack. Such symptoms do not disappear even after a person has taken a cardiac drug (Nitroglycerin, Validol). Unpleasant sensations can give in different parts of the body: arms, jaws, legs, shoulder blades. In addition, a person shivers, throws into a cold sweat, he suffers from shortness of breath, the skin turns pale. Sometimes loss of consciousness is possible.
With angina pectoris, there is also a burning sensation in the sternum. The causes of the disease are excessive physical exertion, stress and unrest. Soreness and burning usually disappear in a calm state. A comfortable body position, an influx of fresh air and a Nitroglycerin tablet can bring relief. But if a person does not feel better, it is necessary to call an ambulance to exclude a pre-infarction condition.
Heat in the chest is often a symptom of vegetative-vascular dystonia. With such a disease, heart preparations will not improve the condition. Burning often occurs as a result of intense excitement or fear, which are accompanied by the release of adrenaline into the blood. Sedative medications will help calm down and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
To understand which specialist should treat a symptom such as burning in the chest, you need to pay attention to what exactly precedes the occurrence of such a symptom. If these sensations arose after a person experienced a severe shock, was excited, overworked, and cardiac or sedatives helped to eliminate them , it means that the patient most likely has malfunctions in the cardiovascular system. If you are concerned about burning in the sternum, a cardiologist or therapist will help determine the reasons.
Burning in the chest with gastrointestinal diseases
It would seem that there is no connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system. But the fact is that many diseases are masked well, and it seems that the problem is in another organ. For example, burning in the area of the heart, which becomes stronger when tilted, may be a symptom of a hernia of the calving of the diaphragm.
Heartburn is a rather unpleasant condition that can spoil the pleasure of delicious food. In this case, the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus, the delicate walls of which are irritated by the gastric juice. A person feels a burning sensation in the sternum and throat, it can occur immediately after eating or in half an hour and even on an empty stomach. Heat in the chest can last for several minutes or an entire hour.
Burning, nausea, and vomiting can be signs of cholecystitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and bile duct obstruction. Diseases of the spleen, kidneys, biliary tract are accompanied by similar symptoms.
A strong burning sensation causes an accumulation of stones in the biliary tract and bladder. Pain and burning in the sternum on the right can be a symptom of calculous cholecystitis. All these conditions are an occasion to contact a gastroenterologist.
Back problems and burning
The most common cause of burning is osteochondrosis. Restrained nerve roots lead to discomfort in the heart. Symptoms of angina pectoris and osteochondrosis are similar. The difference is that physical activity and osteochondrosis are not related, and in a calm state, unpleasant symptoms do not disappear. A person seeks to occupy a position in which discomfort is minimal. In this case, you will need to consult a neurologist or therapist.
Similar symptoms can occur with scoliosis and curvature of the spine. It is necessary to consult a neurologist. A complex of special exercises will help ease the condition.
Heat in the sternum with menopause
During menopause, together with a phenomenon such as “hot flashes,” women often feel a burning sensation in the chest. To alleviate the condition, you need to contact a gynecologist. Taking sedatives will greatly improve your well-being and help you survive such an unpleasant period.
Respiratory system diseases
Burning in the sternum on the right usually occurs with diseases of the respiratory system and lungs. Unpleasant sensations occur with a deep breath, sneezing or coughing. If this is a common cold, then burning and pain may disappear after a course of medication and bed rest. But sometimes a person’s condition worsens so much that serious problems arise in the work of the respiratory system.
Inflammation of the lungs is a very formidable respiratory disease that can affect both one lung and both. In severe cases, a fatal outcome is possible, especially with improper treatment. The main symptoms of pneumonia are fever, chest pain and burning, coughing and wheezing.
Burning in the chest with pulmonary diseases provokes pleural inflammation and fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity. In addition, burning can occur with an abscess, gangrene of lung tissue. In this case, there may not be a cough, but when a cavity breaks into the bronchial tree, purulent sputum is released.
Sometimes with pneumonia, a burning sensation may appear in the sternum in the middle. The causes of this condition are the development of bilateral inflammation.
Mental illness
Similar symptoms in mental illness are rare. As a result of severe stress, frustration, feelings, a burning sensation appears in the sternum. The reasons will help determine the therapist and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Treatment
If the cause of burning in heart disease, you will need to perform electrocardiography and ultrasound of the heart. After the doctor determines the cause of the discomfort, appropriate treatment will be prescribed.
In the event that the problem arose due to respiratory diseases, you will need to take antibiotics, which should be prescribed by the doctor.
In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by burning in the chest, there is a need for the use of drugs that protect the gastric mucosa.
From the above it is clear that such an unpleasant sensation as burning in the sternum, the causes of which can be very diverse, requires a thorough examination. You should not start possible diseases, the sooner treatment begins, the easier it will be to get rid of the problem.