The accompanying symptoms | Burning behind the sternum

The accompanying symptoms

Depending on the cause, the burning in/behind the sternum has many accompanying symptoms. If the oesophagus is the cause of the symptoms, heartburn typically occurs. In the long run, the mucous membrane of the esophagus is damaged, so that the burning sensation is more frequent and stronger.

Bleeding in the oesophagus can also occur if the mucous membrane is severely damaged. This leads to light red blood vomiting or black discolouration of the stool (tarry stool). If the burning sensation in the breastbone is triggered by the heart, the reason is often a cardiovascular disease that has existed for a long time.

In connection with this, calcifications in the coronary arteries and also in other vessels occur more frequently. This can lead to a lack of blood circulation in various parts of the body. The heart itself loses its pumping function, which is particularly noticeable during physical or psychological stress.

As a result, one is less able to cope with stress, gets out of breath more quickly and under stress a feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest can occur. If the burning behind the sternum is triggered by the lungs, irritated airways are often the cause of the complaints. This often leads to irritated cough.

If the lung tissue is permanently irritated and thus severely damaged, a reddish (bloody) sputum can develop when coughing. The feeling of pressure on the chest is usually caused by a restriction of the heart. The cause is arteriosclerosis, i.e. calcium deposits in the coronary arteries.

As a result, the heart muscle is no longer sufficiently supplied with oxygen and other nutrients. This undersupply can cause severe pain in the heart and thus in the entire thorax. Especially during exercise, when the heart needs more nutrients, the burning or stabbing pain occurs together with a feeling of pressure.

Dei Diagnosis

A burning behind the breastbone is initially more a symptom than a diagnosis. This symptom is usually asked for by the doctor during the examination. Accompanying symptoms and the triggers of the symptoms (for example, always after eating or during exercise) can provide important diagnostic clues.

Depending on what the medical history suggests, a specific physical examination of the affected organ should be performed. Subsequently, an ultrasound or an ECG can be performed on the heart, for example. For the lungs, an X-ray can be taken.

A pulmonary function test and an examination of the blood gases can also provide information about the underlying disease. In the case of heartburn, there is usually no further diagnosis, but an acid-inhibiting therapy is started. If the symptoms persist, an endoscopic examination of the esophagus can be performed.

The treatment

The therapy of the burning behind the sternum is strongly dependent on the cause. If heartburn is the cause, the symptoms are usually treated with a proton pump inhibitor. This causes the stomach to produce less acid, so that the oesophagus is no longer so severely affected.

In addition, people who are overweight should try to reduce their weight. Several small meals instead of a few large meals can also improve the symptoms. If the respiratory tract is irritated, which causes the burning sensation, the irritating substance should first be removed.

In an acute emergency, an oxygen supply can relieve the symptoms. For more severe lung diseases, a detailed lung diagnosis and therapy is necessary. If the heart is the cause of the complaints, a therapy of the blood lipids and arteriosclerosis should be carried out first. In addition, in the case of cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac insufficiency, various medications can improve heart function again.