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What Causes Burning Sensation In Chest And Lungs?
Question: Feels like a burning in the chest or lungs whenever I take a breathe through my mouth, I have no problems breathing. Its been doing this for a few days now. Its extremely weird. Please Help.
Brief Answer:
Might be gastroesophageal reflux; lung and heart causes to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
From your description, it seems to arise from gastroesophageal reflux or indigestion and bloating. Anxiety or panic attacks may sometimes present with such burning in chest. However, lung and heart causes are to be ruled out too. Hence, a proper clinical examination, a chest x-ray and an ECG should be done and you should visit ER.
If lung causes like pleurisy, asthma etc and heart causes like angina etc are ruled out by the above examinations, then you should modify your diet. Small frequent meals with lots of water and less oily food should be taken and regular exercises should be done to enhance metabolism. Also relaxation is necessary which can be accomplished in forms of yoga, meditation etc. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided if any. A course of pantoprazole-domperidone for 15-20 days would be useful.
Otherwise, if the cause is lung or heart related, specific treatment should be done as per doctor's advice.
You can consult your treating or family doctor about the above.
Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards
Might be gastroesophageal reflux; lung and heart causes to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
From your description, it seems to arise from gastroesophageal reflux or indigestion and bloating. Anxiety or panic attacks may sometimes present with such burning in chest. However, lung and heart causes are to be ruled out too. Hence, a proper clinical examination, a chest x-ray and an ECG should be done and you should visit ER.
If lung causes like pleurisy, asthma etc and heart causes like angina etc are ruled out by the above examinations, then you should modify your diet. Small frequent meals with lots of water and less oily food should be taken and regular exercises should be done to enhance metabolism. Also relaxation is necessary which can be accomplished in forms of yoga, meditation etc. Alcohol and smoking should be avoided if any. A course of pantoprazole-domperidone for 15-20 days would be useful.
Otherwise, if the cause is lung or heart related, specific treatment should be done as per doctor's advice.
You can consult your treating or family doctor about the above.
Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
what is Gastroeophageal Reflux?
Brief Answer:
explanation follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Gastroesophageal reflux is leaking back of the gastric acid contents from the stomach to the esophagus i.e. against the peristalsis. The disease is thus known as GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
In such cases, as the gastric contents leak back, it leads to feeling of indigestion and burning in the chest area.
Regards.
explanation follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Gastroesophageal reflux is leaking back of the gastric acid contents from the stomach to the esophagus i.e. against the peristalsis. The disease is thus known as GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
In such cases, as the gastric contents leak back, it leads to feeling of indigestion and burning in the chest area.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
and what could cause this?....I feel fine whenever my mind is concentrating on something else, (like right now) also I do not feel it when I first get up in the morning. Could it possibly be something else?? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Explanation follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Initial phases of GERD can present with such symptoms.
Otherwise, as I have told you, anxiety or panic attacks might lead to this. And few lung and heart causes may be important differential diagnosis. Though I feel, indigestion and heartburn is causing this, still the other causes should be ruled out to avoid complication from more serious possibilities.
And as I have told you, you can modify your diet and take the medicine as advised. It should be better in few days.
Regards.
Explanation follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Initial phases of GERD can present with such symptoms.
Otherwise, as I have told you, anxiety or panic attacks might lead to this. And few lung and heart causes may be important differential diagnosis. Though I feel, indigestion and heartburn is causing this, still the other causes should be ruled out to avoid complication from more serious possibilities.
And as I have told you, you can modify your diet and take the medicine as advised. It should be better in few days.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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