Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Throat And Indigetsion
Question: Hello,
I'm experiencing a pain in my throat, just above the breast bone. It's a burning type of pain that radiates down to my sternum and over to the left under my armpit. At first I thought it was indigestion, I would drink apple cider vinegar. After awhile that was not helping. It comes back when I would bend over. It feels like gastric juices are coming up my throat.
I can make it stop by rubbing that area with black seed oil, but it will come back, eventually. Do I need to see someone?
I'm experiencing a pain in my throat, just above the breast bone. It's a burning type of pain that radiates down to my sternum and over to the left under my armpit. At first I thought it was indigestion, I would drink apple cider vinegar. After awhile that was not helping. It comes back when I would bend over. It feels like gastric juices are coming up my throat.
I can make it stop by rubbing that area with black seed oil, but it will come back, eventually. Do I need to see someone?
Brief Answer:
Possible acid reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The pain you described may be from acid reflux, or, if it changes with position of the chest wall, it may be due to a muscle strain.
As you describe it as burning, I think it may be related to acid reflux. Consider trying Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day for 2 weeks and see if it helps. This is assuming the pain you are experiencing is only in the past few days. If it has gone on longer, you may need the Zantac for 4-6 weeks to allow the esophagus to heal.
I recommend Zantac, which is a safe medication, over the proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Prilosec. The PPI medications can be stronger, but can also cause rebound increase in acid production when discontinued, and they have other risks as well.
If you take any type of NSAID such as ibuprofen or naproxen (Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn), please replace it with other pain medicine such as Tylenol, as NSAIDS can cause irritation of the stomach lining and esophagus.
Avoid or decrease alcohol and caffeine (coffee, black tea, colas, chocolate). And no peppermint, as peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter allowing more reflux of acid.
Decrease acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus for now.
And avoid lying down/reclining for two hours after eating.
If these things don't help, or if the pain gets worse, then do go in to see a doctor.
Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Possible acid reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The pain you described may be from acid reflux, or, if it changes with position of the chest wall, it may be due to a muscle strain.
As you describe it as burning, I think it may be related to acid reflux. Consider trying Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day for 2 weeks and see if it helps. This is assuming the pain you are experiencing is only in the past few days. If it has gone on longer, you may need the Zantac for 4-6 weeks to allow the esophagus to heal.
I recommend Zantac, which is a safe medication, over the proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Prilosec. The PPI medications can be stronger, but can also cause rebound increase in acid production when discontinued, and they have other risks as well.
If you take any type of NSAID such as ibuprofen or naproxen (Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn), please replace it with other pain medicine such as Tylenol, as NSAIDS can cause irritation of the stomach lining and esophagus.
Avoid or decrease alcohol and caffeine (coffee, black tea, colas, chocolate). And no peppermint, as peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter allowing more reflux of acid.
Decrease acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus for now.
And avoid lying down/reclining for two hours after eating.
If these things don't help, or if the pain gets worse, then do go in to see a doctor.
Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
