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What Causes Burning Sensation In Chest Despite Having Normal Cardiac Reports?
Posted on
Sun, 27 Mar 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 27 Mar 2016
Answered on
Mon, 30 May 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi doctor,
Since couple of days i feel burn in my chest , i dont know exacly where but between the sternum sometimes on the right side as well...i feel all the time but naturally its more strong after exercice, can i have a problem with lung? i exclude cardiac problem cause i have make all the exams recently (EKG, ECHO, Stress test) and im also a smoker ...i have done X ray but on X ray everything was find except an atelectasis on my left lung but doctors not seems to be worry...is it others exams to check if lungs are ok??
Since couple of days i feel burn in my chest , i dont know exacly where but between the sternum sometimes on the right side as well...i feel all the time but naturally its more strong after exercice, can i have a problem with lung? i exclude cardiac problem cause i have make all the exams recently (EKG, ECHO, Stress test) and im also a smoker ...i have done X ray but on X ray everything was find except an atelectasis on my left lung but doctors not seems to be worry...is it others exams to check if lungs are ok??
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would recommend these other tests to examine the function of your lungs and the possible cause which could have caused the atelectasis:
- respiratory function tests
- lung CT scan
- blood gas analysis
- inflammation tests ( complete blood count, PXR, sedimentation rate)
A fibrobroncoscopy is another more invasive tests which helps examine the mucosa of respiratory airways.
I would also advice you to consider other causes that may lead to this symptomatology like gastro-esophageal reflux or hiatal hernia. A GI endoscopy would help to investigate for these possible disorders.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards!
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would recommend these other tests to examine the function of your lungs and the possible cause which could have caused the atelectasis:
- respiratory function tests
- lung CT scan
- blood gas analysis
- inflammation tests ( complete blood count, PXR, sedimentation rate)
A fibrobroncoscopy is another more invasive tests which helps examine the mucosa of respiratory airways.
I would also advice you to consider other causes that may lead to this symptomatology like gastro-esophageal reflux or hiatal hernia. A GI endoscopy would help to investigate for these possible disorders.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards!
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi back,
I have male complete blood count already and there was nothing wrong except some uric acid than i have done everything since that 3 weeks for make it go down, nearly not fat in my food lot of veggie and fish no oil and no alcohol...they also have checked tumor marker like afp , cea and there is nothing...last summer i have done respiratory test like when i have to breath really strong for see if i not have bpco and everything was fine too...
IS there any risk to have something wrong i have a clear blood result and what can cause that atelectasis on lung?
I have male complete blood count already and there was nothing wrong except some uric acid than i have done everything since that 3 weeks for make it go down, nearly not fat in my food lot of veggie and fish no oil and no alcohol...they also have checked tumor marker like afp , cea and there is nothing...last summer i have done respiratory test like when i have to breath really strong for see if i not have bpco and everything was fine too...
IS there any risk to have something wrong i have a clear blood result and what can cause that atelectasis on lung?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Your blood lab tests have excluded any possible infection or a tumor, which can produce such substances like cea and afp.
I would explain that there are several causes which can lead to atelectasis. They can be divided in two groups:
-causes that lead to airway obstruction (like a chronic infection, mucus overproduction, a foreing body inhalated, a tumor, etc.)
- external causes that lead to pressure to the lung form the outside (pleuritis or inflammation of the covering layers of the lung, a trauma, a blood clot, pneumonia, etc.).
As you have been a long time diagnosed with atelectasis, it seems that the cause is a benign one (a past infection, etc.).
So relax!
Nevertheless, I would recommend a lung CT scan with contrast in order to have more information on the possible cause of atelectasis.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Your blood lab tests have excluded any possible infection or a tumor, which can produce such substances like cea and afp.
I would explain that there are several causes which can lead to atelectasis. They can be divided in two groups:
-causes that lead to airway obstruction (like a chronic infection, mucus overproduction, a foreing body inhalated, a tumor, etc.)
- external causes that lead to pressure to the lung form the outside (pleuritis or inflammation of the covering layers of the lung, a trauma, a blood clot, pneumonia, etc.).
As you have been a long time diagnosed with atelectasis, it seems that the cause is a benign one (a past infection, etc.).
So relax!
Nevertheless, I would recommend a lung CT scan with contrast in order to have more information on the possible cause of atelectasis.
Hope to have been helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
MY last question is :
This iis not long time they have checked it , its been a month now...
Could you explain me exactly why you recommend me to do a CT scan ?
I consider your recommendation but as i live abroad my home country, CT scan is quite expensive here and if i need to do it, i need to be aware.Can a aletectais can be caused by tobacco and lead to major problem like cancer or stuff like this?
This iis not long time they have checked it , its been a month now...
Could you explain me exactly why you recommend me to do a CT scan ?
I consider your recommendation but as i live abroad my home country, CT scan is quite expensive here and if i need to do it, i need to be aware.Can a aletectais can be caused by tobacco and lead to major problem like cancer or stuff like this?
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I carefully reviewed all your reports.
All your tests are normal, except for a slight increase in the number of white blood cells, mainly lymphocites (which may indicate a past viral infection) and slight elevated levels of uric acid.
There is also a small node in abdomen, probably a lymph node, but without any other abnormalities.
Coming to this point, as you have performed this tests just a month ago, I would recommend just repeating a chest X ray study, an abdominal ultrasound and these blood tests after 6 months.
I do not think that there is any serious cause underlying your symptomatology. Your performed tests do not show any concerning results.
I recommended a lung CT scan just to have some more information on the possible causes that may have lead to lung atelectasis. But this does not mean that it is urgent. Atelectasis may result from benign causes like a flu or lung infection, smoking, etc. (which seems to be your case).
Based on your symptomatology, I would recommend also consulting with a gastroenterologists for the possibility of gastro-esophageal reflux. If you have not the possibility of performing a fibro-gastroscopy, I would recommend trying antacids or PPIs like omeprazole or lansoprazole for the burning sensation in your chest. If your symptoms are relieved by such drugs, it would indicate possible gastro-esophageal reflux.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I carefully reviewed all your reports.
All your tests are normal, except for a slight increase in the number of white blood cells, mainly lymphocites (which may indicate a past viral infection) and slight elevated levels of uric acid.
There is also a small node in abdomen, probably a lymph node, but without any other abnormalities.
Coming to this point, as you have performed this tests just a month ago, I would recommend just repeating a chest X ray study, an abdominal ultrasound and these blood tests after 6 months.
I do not think that there is any serious cause underlying your symptomatology. Your performed tests do not show any concerning results.
I recommended a lung CT scan just to have some more information on the possible causes that may have lead to lung atelectasis. But this does not mean that it is urgent. Atelectasis may result from benign causes like a flu or lung infection, smoking, etc. (which seems to be your case).
Based on your symptomatology, I would recommend also consulting with a gastroenterologists for the possibility of gastro-esophageal reflux. If you have not the possibility of performing a fibro-gastroscopy, I would recommend trying antacids or PPIs like omeprazole or lansoprazole for the burning sensation in your chest. If your symptoms are relieved by such drugs, it would indicate possible gastro-esophageal reflux.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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