What Causes Discomfort In Upper Chest Area Before Eating Food?
Thank You, XXXXXXX
Likely to be from hyperacidity.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
The most likely explanation for this is that you are having acid reflux or pain from your stomach when your stomach is most empty or when your stomach produces acid in anticipation of food coming. Once there is food in your stomach, the acid works on the food and isn't irritating your stomach lining or esophagus.
It may have been set off by something that irritated your stomach, such as ibuprofen, alcohol, very acidy citrus or tomato, but sometimes we don't know what starts this.
As it has been going on for several days, I recommend taking Zantac 150 mg twice a day to reduce acid production. Take this for a couple weeks and then see how you are doing. Also decrease the irritants that I listed above. Coffee and chocolate should be reduced too. Eat more frequently but smaller amounts at a time.
Zantac is a safe acid production reducer, with less risk of side effects and rebound, compared with the proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec or Nexium.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.