Burning in the sternum: causes and treatment

Burning in the sternum is an unpleasant sensation that causes discomfort and negatively affects the quality of our life. In the chest there are many different organs, the diseases of which can be manifested by this unpleasant sensation.

Causes of burning in the thoracic region

A frequent complaint with which a person turns to the doctor is a burning sensation in the sternum in the middle. The reasons for these feelings can be very diverse, both requiring no treatment, and more serious. Of the most common can be noted cardiovascular, mental, catarrhal diseases, malfunctioning of the gastrointestinal tract, osteochondrosis, etc.

Burning in the chest as a sign of cardiovascular disease

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 pass even after the person took a cardiac drug ("Nitroglycerin", "Validol"). Unpleasant sensations can give to different parts of the body: hands, jaws, legs, scapula. In addition, the person is shivering, throws in cold sweat, he suffers from shortness of breath, the skin pales. Sometimes loss of consciousness is possible.

With stenocardia, there is also a burning sensation in the sternum. Causes of the disease in excessive physical exertion, stress and anxiety. Soreness and burning usually disappear in a calm state. Convenient body position, the influx of fresh air and a tablet of "Nitroglycerin" can bring relief. But if a person does not get better, it is necessary to call an ambulance to exclude pre-infarction.

Heat in the chest is often a symptom of vegetative-vascular dystonia. With such a disease, heart drugs will not improve the condition. Burning often occurs as a result of intense excitement or fear, which is accompanied by the release of adrenaline into the blood. Help to calm down and remove unpleasant symptoms sedative medications.

To understand which specialist should be treated with a symptom such as burning in the chest, you need to pay attention to what exactly precedes the appearance of a similar symptom. If these feelings have arisen after a person has experienced a strong shock, was overexposed, overtired, and in their removal helped by heart or sedatives, then, most likely, the patient has a malfunction in the work of the cardiovascular system. If you are concerned about burning in the sternum, a cardiologist or therapist can help.

Burning in the thoracic area with diseases of the digestive tract

It would seem that there is no connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system. But the fact is that many diseases are well disguised, and it seems that the problem is in another organ. For example, burning in the heart, which becomes stronger when tilted, may be a symptom of hernia edema of the diaphragm.

Heartburn is a rather unpleasant condition that can ruin the pleasure of a delicious meal. In this case, the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus, the tender walls of which are irritated with gastric juice. A person feels a burning sensation in the sternum and throat, it can occur immediately after a meal or in half an hour and even on an empty stomach. The heat in the chest can last for several minutes, and for an hour.

Burning sensation, nausea and vomiting can be signs of cholecystitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, impaired bile ductility. Diseases of the spleen, kidneys, bile ducts are accompanied by similar symptoms.

A burning sensation causes a buildup of stones in the bile duct and a bladder. Pain and burning in the sternum to the right may be a symptom of calculous cholecystitis. All these conditions are an occasion to appeal to the gastroenterologist.

Problems with back and burning

Most often, the cause of burning is osteochondrosis. Restricted nerve roots lead to a feeling of discomfort in the heart. Symptoms of angina and osteochondrosis are similar. The difference is that physical activity and osteochondrosis are not connected, and in a restful state, unpleasant symptoms do not disappear. A person strives to take a position in which discomfort is minimal. In this case, a consultation of a neurologist or therapist is needed.

Similar symptoms can be observed with scoliosis and curvature of the spine. It is necessary to consult a neurologist. A complex of special exercises will help to alleviate the condition.

Heat in the sternum with menopause

During menopause, along with a phenomenon such as "hot flashes", women often feel and burn in the chest. To relieve the condition, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist. Taking sedatives will greatly improve your well-being and help you survive such an unpleasant period.

Diseases of the respiratory system

Burning in the sternum on the right usually occurs in 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 can disappear after a course of medication and bed rest. But sometimes a person's condition worsens so much that serious problems arise in the functioning of the respiratory system.

Inflammation of the lungs is a very formidable disease of the respiratory tract, which can affect both one lung and both. In severe cases, a lethal outcome is possible, especially with improper treatment. The main symptoms of pneumonia are fever, pain and burning in the chest, coughing and wheezing.

Burning in the chest with pulmonary diseases provokes inflammation of the pleura and accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity. In addition, burning can occur with abscess, gangrene of lung tissue. In this case, the cough may not be, but when the contents of the cavity break into the bronchial tree, purulent sputum is released.

Sometimes, with pneumonia, burning in the sternum may appear in the middle. The causes of this condition in the development of bilateral inflammation.

Mental diseases

Similar symptoms with mental illnesses are infrequent. As a result of severe stress, frustration, experience there is a burning sensation in the sternum. The reasons will help determine the therapist and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Treatment

If the cause of burning in heart diseases, you will need to perform electrocardiography and ultrasound of the heart. After the doctor determines the cause of the unpleasant sensations, the appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

In the event that the problem has arisen as a result of diseases of the respiratory organs, you will need to take antibiotics, which the doctor should prescribe.

In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by burning in the chest, there is a need for the use of medicines that protect the gastric mucosa.

From the above, it can be seen that such an unpleasant sensation as a burning sensation in the sternum, the causes of which can be the most diverse, requires careful examination. It is not necessary to launch possible diseases, the sooner the treatment begins, the easier it will be to get rid of the problem.