Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Burning Sensation In Chest
Question: Burning pain below ribs in the middle
Brief Answer:
Probably reflux into esophagus.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry you are having burning pain below your sternum. This area is the lower end of the esophagus.
Most likely you are having reflux of acid from your stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus, unlike the stomach, is not designed to have acid in it and the acid can cause a lot of pain, and over time, damage.
If this just started today rather than being an ongoing thing, take an acid neutralizer such as Mylanta or Maalox.
But if this has been going on for days or weeks and is severe, then start Zantac 150 mg. Although the box will say to take this once a day, prescription strength would be twice a day - so take it 2 times a day. If the problem has been going on for weeks, you will need to take the Zantac for around 6 weeks to heal the lining.
There are also proton pump inhibitors that reduce acid, such as Nexium, Prilosec, etc. These can be used instead of Zantac and may be stronger, but I generally do not recommend them or start treatment with them because they can cause an exaggerated rebound of symptoms when discontinued.
While you are having this problem, avoid alcohol, and don't have big meals as that will distend your stomach and increase reflux of acid. Eat more frequently - small meals - instead. Avoid acid foods such as citrus and tomotos right now. And if you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to quit as nicotine definitely increases the problem,
If you are not improving in the next couple weeks or if symptoms worsen, do go in to the doctor.
I hope this information helps.
Probably reflux into esophagus.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry you are having burning pain below your sternum. This area is the lower end of the esophagus.
Most likely you are having reflux of acid from your stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus, unlike the stomach, is not designed to have acid in it and the acid can cause a lot of pain, and over time, damage.
If this just started today rather than being an ongoing thing, take an acid neutralizer such as Mylanta or Maalox.
But if this has been going on for days or weeks and is severe, then start Zantac 150 mg. Although the box will say to take this once a day, prescription strength would be twice a day - so take it 2 times a day. If the problem has been going on for weeks, you will need to take the Zantac for around 6 weeks to heal the lining.
There are also proton pump inhibitors that reduce acid, such as Nexium, Prilosec, etc. These can be used instead of Zantac and may be stronger, but I generally do not recommend them or start treatment with them because they can cause an exaggerated rebound of symptoms when discontinued.
While you are having this problem, avoid alcohol, and don't have big meals as that will distend your stomach and increase reflux of acid. Eat more frequently - small meals - instead. Avoid acid foods such as citrus and tomotos right now. And if you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to quit as nicotine definitely increases the problem,
If you are not improving in the next couple weeks or if symptoms worsen, do go in to the doctor.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Pain in morning - yes. Feeling hot - no.
Detailed Answer:
It is not uncommon for the pain to be worse in the morning. This can be from acid refluxing while you are lying down in bed. Can also be from not having food in your stomach yet.
But it would not cause a generalized warm or hot feeling in the rest of your body.
You might want to take your temperature when you are feeling warm to see if you have a fever.
I am sorry you have been stressed a lot. Anxiety/stress can also cause a surge of heat.
Pain in morning - yes. Feeling hot - no.
Detailed Answer:
It is not uncommon for the pain to be worse in the morning. This can be from acid refluxing while you are lying down in bed. Can also be from not having food in your stomach yet.
But it would not cause a generalized warm or hot feeling in the rest of your body.
You might want to take your temperature when you are feeling warm to see if you have a fever.
I am sorry you have been stressed a lot. Anxiety/stress can also cause a surge of heat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok just wanted to make sure it wasnt heart problems. I have panic problems and health anxiety i think. I am always looking up pains i have and get worried
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be heart symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
I don't think your symptoms sound like they are from your heart. Usually pain from the heart is felt as pressure - and not a burning sensation.
Sometimes in the ER if we are trying to see if chest pain may be from gastrointestinal rather than cardiac causes (when we think it is very likely to be an acid problem and not a heart problem), we give people an antacid such as Mylanta, and if they have decreased pain, even if only for a short while, it is likely a gastrointestinal cause. Cardiac pain is never relieved at all by this.
Unlikely to be heart symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
I don't think your symptoms sound like they are from your heart. Usually pain from the heart is felt as pressure - and not a burning sensation.
Sometimes in the ER if we are trying to see if chest pain may be from gastrointestinal rather than cardiac causes (when we think it is very likely to be an acid problem and not a heart problem), we give people an antacid such as Mylanta, and if they have decreased pain, even if only for a short while, it is likely a gastrointestinal cause. Cardiac pain is never relieved at all by this.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
