What Causes Pain Below Sternum?

Posted on Thu, 26 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 Answered on

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have pain below my sternum. It began last night about 10 pm. It got worse. I could not sleep. At 11:30 I got up because I felt nauseous and thought I might vomit. This occurred 3 more times during the night...around 2:30, 4, and 5 am. Although I have this pain often it has not been so severe. The pain also is in my back directly behind the below sternum pain. What could this be?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acid reflux is the most probable reason.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Most probable reason of this pain is nothing more than acid reflux. IT is very possible if you have been eating right after going to sleep. You may have also some throat pain or inflammation, cough.
I suggest you to start with diet modification. You should avoid coffee, orange juices, fatty foods, chocolate, soft drinks. Please do not eat 2 hours before sleeping. You may also put another pillow under your head while sleeping.

If this wont help, you should consult gastrologist and consider gastroscopy.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar