The cause of pain and burning in the chest can be a variety of factors. Often, these symptoms cause diseases that require urgent, and sometimes even surgical treatment. If the symptoms persist for a long time or have noticeably increased over the past few hours, you need to urgently call an ambulance: pain and burning in the chest can be a harbinger of myocardial infarction.
Indeed, the most common association for chest pain is heart problems. Burning in the chest and pain under the shoulder blade is a sign of a violation in the work of the heart muscle. At the same time, such a symptom may indicate other diseases, and quite serious ones. To uncover the cause of pain and burning in the chest, it is advisable to go to the doctor. Do not self-medicate, which can only aggravate the he alth problem.
If it burns in the middle
If this symptom is felt in the central part of the chest, you need to go for an appointment withcardiologist. This is how heart failure and vascular disease manifest themselves. Particularly alert should be a burning sensation in the chest that occurs at rest.
The first thing to start with is to do an ECG. If the result of the study shows that the heart works like a clock, then the cause may be a violation of the digestive system. With gastritis and reflux esophagitis due to the reflux of hydrochloric acid into the esophagus, many patients suffer from a burning sensation in the very center of the sternum, near the epigastrium. This symptom is usually accompanied by heartburn.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are often mistaken for heart pain. In addition to these diseases, pancreatitis can cause pain in the middle of the chest. Inflammation of the pancreas can only be cured with medication, and the treatment regimen has much in common with the treatment of gastritis and reflux esophagitis. So, for the relief of heartburn, the doctor may prescribe Gaviscon, Maalox, Ranitidine, Rennie. In parallel, proton pump preparations, pancreatic enzymes "Creon", "Mezim", "Festal" are prescribed. For acute heart pain, it is worth taking a nitroglycerin tablet.
Left-sided chest discomfort
Pain and burning sensation in the chest on the left side again suggests a heart problem. Such symptoms make themselves felt heart attack, coronary disease and angina pectoris. You can distinguish them from other diseases by increasing discomfort on the left during physical exertion. Climbing stairs, walking for a long time, carrying heavy bags - all this affectswell-being and is manifested by increased burning sensation. During rest, the pain may go away, but this is not a reason to refuse to see a doctor in the near future.
In addition, in stressful situations, the symptom may return. In addition to pain and burning in the chest, patients feel depressed, become suspicious, irritable or, conversely, aggressive. To restore the psycho-emotional background, a good sleep, walks and taking light sedatives on a natural basis (tincture of motherwort, valerian, peony, Persen, Novo-Passit, Sedaten) are required.
By the way, inflammation of the pancreas can also cause pain on the left side, radiating to the chest. Burning and pain on the left side are often accompanied by aching pains in the stomach. And although most often pain in pancreatitis is girdle, in some patients it occurs in any part of the upper abdomen. In addition to medication, pancreatitis patients are advised to fast for two days, and then the patient is put on a strict diet.
What does the pain on the right say?
Cough, pain and burning in the chest on the right side often indicate the presence of cholecystitis. The thing is that the stagnation of bile leads to its reflux into the stomach and esophagus. As a result, heartburn occurs, the mucous membranes of the esophagus and larynx are burned, which leads to the appearance of a cough. With inflammation of the gallbladder, the patient also has a dense yellowish coating on the tongue and yellowing of the sclera of the eyes. During an exacerbation of cholecystitis, it is better to refuse fatty, spicy and fried foods - such dishes will only strengthenunpleasant symptoms.
To get rid of right-sided burning pain, you need to adjust not only the diet, but also the diet. The longer the break between meals, the more bile will subsequently be produced by the gallbladder. With excess, it begins to actively stagnate, so you need to eat at least once every 3-4 hours.
Peculiarities of women's he alth
In women, headaches and burning sensations in the chest are often a harbinger of PMS. And although at first glance it seems that there is no connection between premenstrual syndrome and chest discomfort, in fact, such a phenomenon is not uncommon. Shortly before the start of the cycle, the ratio of hormones in the female body changes, the breasts fill up, and pain may occur due to overexertion of the mammary glands. This is a completely normal reaction of a woman's body to the beginning of the menstrual cycle. There is no need to do anything: as soon as the period ends, all symptoms will pass on their own.
Often a burning sensation in the upper part of the chest appears in pregnant women. This is due to the hormonal processes that prepare the body of the expectant mother for the birth of a baby. Pain in the mammary glands is a natural reaction to hormonal changes. During pregnancy, a woman's body prepares for childbirth and lactation. In recent months, a woman can observe discharge from her nipples, an increase in breast volume, and an increase in the sensitivity of the nipples. Thus, a slight burning sensation is not a sign of deviation - on the contrary, everything is going according to plan, the body is preparing for the upcoming motherhood.
Sometimesin pregnant women, pain in the back appears along with a burning sensation in the chest. Usually this problem occurs in the second or third trimester. The cause of discomfort and pain is an increased load on the spine. In this case, it is better not to ignore the discomfort, but to try to alleviate your well-being. Since painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy, you can make yourself feel better with the help of gymnastics for pregnant women.
Severe pain and burning sensation in a woman's chest can talk about mastopathy. Such a serious disease is accompanied by a visual change in the mammary glands. The breast may change its shape, and fluid will be released from the nipples. In some cases, the treatment of mastopathy is carried out surgically. If the operation can be avoided, the patient is prescribed hormonal drugs.
Spine problems
In some cases, pain and burning sensation in the chest indicate diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Sometimes myalgia is also added to the burning sensation, which is aggravated by motor activity. Often, such complications occur against the background of scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis. Not a single drug will really help get rid of discomfort in the sternum. Here the key task is to correct posture. The patient needs to monitor the position of his body when walking, sitting. The back should be kept straight all the time, doing exercises for better plasticity, flexibility and stretching. With a curvature of the spinal column, pain and discomfort appear due to pinching of the nerveendings that are in the chest area.
Painful sensations only when inhaling
If pain and burning in the chest area is felt when inhaling, it is highly likely that we can talk about problems with the respiratory system. Most often, such a clinical sign indicates the development of a respiratory viral disease. Burning in the upper part of the chest against the background of a cold and a viral infection. The manifestation of this symptom provokes inflammation in the airways. Soreness may increase with an increase in body temperature, increased physical activity.
Bronchitis often provokes a burning sensation in the chest. In addition to the indicated discomfort, the disease is manifested by other symptoms: high body temperature, cough, general weakness. The stronger the cough, the more it will hurt in the chest. The thing is that during the period of sputum discharge, the inflamed bronchi are overstrained and partially injured, this causes a burning sensation when coughing. It is possible to treat bronchitis with the help of antibiotics, diluting, expectorants; vitamins are required during the recovery period. If you start treatment on time, then it will take no more than 10 days for a full recovery.
It is worth noting that the cause of pain in the upper sternum is often arterial hypertension. Since jumps in blood pressure have a bad effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, hypertension indirectly provokes the onset of these symptoms. In this case, to stabilize your well-being, youyou can with blood pressure medications.
Neurological diseases
One of the symptoms of intervertebral hernia and intercostal neuralgia can also be pain and burning in the chest. Patients are prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Depending on the severity of the disease, patients may be recommended novocaine blockade. You can alleviate your well-being with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments and creams. Regular massages and therapeutic exercises also have a positive effect on he alth.
It is important to understand that all the drugs that are prescribed for such pathologies are not able to cure. They are designed to eliminate painful symptoms and discomfort, at least for a while. To stop the development of the disease, a more thorough approach to treatment will be required. Physiotherapy, a physiotherapy complex and a special massage help a lot.
Osteochondrosis and chest pain
In some patients, the burning sensation is felt not only in the chest, but is transmitted to the back. Most likely, we are talking about the thoracic spine. This problem provokes osteochondrosis. Regardless of the localization of the degenerative process, osteochondrosis can lead to the appearance of protrusions and the formation of a hernia. Pain in this disease, as a rule, is paroxysmal in nature and intensifies after intense physical exertion.
At the same time, it cannot be said that osteochondrosis is a completely irreversible disease. Stoppathological processes can be achieved with the help of a complex of gymnastic exercises, taking anti-inflammatory and painkillers, B vitamins, muscle relaxants and diuretics.
How pneumonia manifests itself
Some patients believe that such a dangerous disease as pneumonia is always manifested by a strong cough. In fact, this ailment is considered one of the most insidious, because it may not give any specific symptoms, except for a feeling of pressure in the chest and high temperature, which is taken as a sign of SARS or a common cold.
In the initial stage of inflammation, the body struggles to fight the disease, so the person may not feel any symptoms. In addition, the lungs are devoid of pain receptors. But as soon as pneumonia begins to progress, additional signs of the disease may join. The patient has a cough, pain and burning in the chest, body temperature rises, weakness in the muscles and joints appears.
There is only one type of treatment for pneumonia - antibacterial. This disease cannot be cured by folk remedies. Inflammation of the lungs can be fatal, so when diagnosing an ailment, it is important to start treatment immediately.
Dry cough
Cause pain in the chest and a burning sensation in the throat are capable of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Their list should include pharyngitis, tonsillitis and tonsillitis, therefore, if such symptoms appear, you should definitely ask one of the family members to examineyour throat. To see the reddening of the palatine arches or the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, it is not at all necessary to stand in line to the otolaryngologist. However, self-treatment is still undesirable. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. For example, pharyngitis is extremely rarely treated with antibiotics, but with angina, it is impossible to do without antibacterial drugs.
In the treatment of these diseases, it is imperative to take antitussive drugs and gargle with antiseptics. If you start inflammation of the upper respiratory system, the disease can affect the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. To prevent this, you should take expectorants in the form of syrups and mixtures.
Other causes of discomfort
Sometimes the cause of pain and burning in the chest on the left or right is a slight injury, a slight bruise of the thoracic region. With fractures, cracks and displacements of the ribs, intense excruciating pain occurs, which is not so easy to get rid of. Despite the fact that it is possible to determine the severity of the injury even without visiting a medical facility, it is important to make sure that the bones, ligaments, and muscles are intact - this is necessary to prescribe the correct treatment.
Slight burning sensation in the chest can provoke an allergic reaction. Along with a rash, rhinitis, tearing and redness of the eyes, it can manifest itself as discomfort and pain in the chest. The cause of this symptom is the reaction of the respiratory organs to intoxication. To eliminate the burning sensation that has arisenagainst the background of allergies, you should take antihistamines.
Due to stress and mental disorders, some patients develop chest pain. Such symptoms can be provoked by prolonged overwork, experienced emotional shock. Due to feelings of anxiety and strong feelings, the patient seems to have a heartache, he often feels a burning sensation in his chest and pain in his abdomen. Passing a comprehensive medical examination does not give anything: all tests and diagnostic procedures show that there are no problems at the physiological level. Thus, chest pain may be psychosomatic in nature. Sedatives, eliminating sources of stress and adjusting the daily routine will help get rid of discomfort.
When a burning sensation in the chest can indicate a deadly threat
Pain and burning sensation in the chest on the right or left side may indicate pathologies of the aorta and pulmonary artery. These diseases of the vascular system pose a serious threat to the life of the patient, since in severe cases they can lead to death. At home, such pathologies are not treated. When diagnosing such diseases, you should seek specialized help. Be sure to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment in a hospital.
Strong and sudden burning sensation in the chest should alert. If this symptom has nothing to do with all of the above diseases, it is necessary to be examined and make sure that the cause of chest pain is not a malignant tumor,after all, a strong burning sensation in the center of the sternum may indicate the presence of cancer of the lungs, lymphatic system, bronchi, esophagus. In this case, there is not a day to lose, it is urgent to start anti-cancer therapy.