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What Causes Pressure And Burning Sensation Below The Sternum?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Jun 2014
Question: I find that when I am sitting I will get pressure or light burning below my sternum and around my diaphragm area. Sometimes I will also get it below my right ribs. What could this be?
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Answered by Dr. Ashish Verma (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
could be gastritis or reflux

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to HealthcareMagic.

That burning below the sternum could be due to acidity (gastritis) or even its reflux into your esophagus.

Some people have a lax lower esophageal sphincter, through which acid in stomach gets refluxed up into the esophagus causing burning sensation below the sternum.

This can also occur if there is a hiatus hernia present.

The best way to diagnose these two is an upper gi tract endoscopy. So i would suggest that you get one done.

Till then, for symptomatic relief you can take a ppi tablet like omeprazole or pantaprazole. Also avoid foods that increase the acid production or make the lower sphincter lax like tea, coffee, soda drinks, spicy and fatty foods.

Hope i have been helpful.

Regards
Dr. Ashish Verma
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Ashish Verma

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1290 Questions

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What Causes Pressure And Burning Sensation Below The Sternum?

Brief Answer: could be gastritis or reflux Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to HealthcareMagic. That burning below the sternum could be due to acidity (gastritis) or even its reflux into your esophagus. Some people have a lax lower esophageal sphincter, through which acid in stomach gets refluxed up into the esophagus causing burning sensation below the sternum. This can also occur if there is a hiatus hernia present. The best way to diagnose these two is an upper gi tract endoscopy. So i would suggest that you get one done. Till then, for symptomatic relief you can take a ppi tablet like omeprazole or pantaprazole. Also avoid foods that increase the acid production or make the lower sphincter lax like tea, coffee, soda drinks, spicy and fatty foods. Hope i have been helpful. Regards Dr. Ashish Verma