Burning in chest is often associated with some very serious illnesses, so it can be frightening when occurring. However, there are some other causes of burning in chest that are not so dangerous and can easily be treated. A burning chest sensation should be investigated by your doctor to make sure that it is not caused by something serious.
Noting symptoms in your chest or the other areas of the body will help you determine the underlying condition and what kind of treatment is the most appropriate for you.
Chest burning that stems from a cardiovascular condition may be accompanied by rapid breathing, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, rapid heart rate, chest pain or pressure that continue up the shoulder and arm.
If you experience cold, clammy skin, chest trauma, difficulty breathing, confusion, rapid breathing, loss of consciousness or rapid heart rate you should contact emergency medical services immediately.
Other sensations such as indigestion, heartburn, decreased sensation, pain when breathing or coughing, shortness of breath, profuse sweating or skin lesions and blisters may accompany burning in your chest.
Finding the origin cause of burning in chest can help you determine what the underlying condition might be so you can seek adequate medical attention. Medical assistance such as ECG, X-rays, blood tests or a CT scan can help you confirm the proper diagnosis.
Reoccurring burning pain on the left chest may signal cardiovascular problems like angina that causes your body to get an inadequate supply of oxygen and blood. This pain may include tightness or a squeezing sensation that will originate behind the breast bone and will lead up the shoulder, left arm or jaw, which are similar to symptoms of heart attack but less severe. Pericarditis and aortic dissection or a tear in your aorta can also cause chest pain or burning sensation.
Burning pain that seems to come when you take a deep breath or cough signals a respiratory problem. Pneumonia, pleurisy, an infection in your lungs or an embolism caused by blood clotting in the lungs can cause this kind of discomfort. You may notice more frequent asthma attacks, wheezing or shortness of breath in addition to a burning sensation.
Stomach ulcers will cause a burning sensation below your breast bone which will be more severe when you have an empty stomach and feel better when you have eaten. Inflammation of the gallbladder can cause a burning situation which will get worse when you eat foods such as spicy or fatty meals.
Soreness or inflammation of your cartilage can cause the chest wall to burn. This pain is often mistaken for cardiac difficulties because it primarily occurs on the left side and will become more advanced when you move the torso or touch the rib area.
A burning sensation in the chest can be caused by a traumatic injury that damages the soft tissues or chest muscles, a rib fracture or damage to the nerves and tendons in the chest. Some also experience a burning sensation in the chest just before a shingles outbreak.
Burning in chest can be caused by a number of life threatening diseases so it is important to pay close attention to your symptoms when you first notice this. Try not to panic as this can make your pain worse. If you do feel as though the pain is getting worse or does not subside after a few minutes you should contact your doctor to get help determining the cause and a proper treatment plan.
When burning chest symptoms occur it is important to sit in a comfortable position and relax, working to breathe slowly. Becoming agitated can make your symptoms more severe and limit your ability to think rationally to determine the root cause of your discomfort.
Surgery is often prescribed to assist with treating pain from an aortic dissection. Gallbladder issues may also require surgery to remove gallstones if medications do not dissolve them adequately.