Retrosternal burning - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

The retrosternal burning is a disorder that manifests itself with a painful and burning sensation that originates in the chest, behind the sternum, and can radiate to the neck or throat.

This symptom may indicate a dysfunction of the digestive system, particularly of the stomach or esophagus.

Retrosternal burning is one of the main symptoms of rising gastric acid contents towards the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux). Usually, this sensation occurs after meals or when the patient lies in a supine position and can be accompanied by regurgitation that reaches the throat and a persistent cough. The cause is often attributable to a malfunction of the cardias, a valve that has the task of passing the food ingested by the esophagus to the stomach, preventing it from turning back.

Retrosternal burning can simply be a symptom of indigestion, especially after taking food too quickly or in excessive quantities. In some other cases, however, the sensation depends on the consumption of irritating foods, such as tomatoes, lemons, oranges and fatty foods.

Furthermore, retrosternal burning may occur following the use of special drugs (such as NSAIDs). The problem is also common in the last quarter of gestation.

A painful retrosternal burning can also occur due to hiatal hernia and inflammation of the esophageal mucosa (esophagitis). If the manifestation is intense and continuous it may depend on gastritis or peptic ulcer.

Other causes of retrosternal burning include diseases of the cardiovascular system and various cancers of the chest. Possible causes include acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and thoracic aorta dissection. A typically retrosternal burning pain, sometimes irradiated at the shoulders or high abdominal region, is also a symptom of angina pectoris.