Burning Sensation in Stomach

Burning sensation in stomach arises when there is some inflammation on the inside lining of the stomach. Medically, it is often referred to as gastritis. The stomach is an enclosed space or pocket which is located in the left corner of the upper abdomen below the rib cage. The main task of the stomach is to break down food into smaller pieces. In other words, it digests the food. For this purpose, it takes the help of different digestive juices which consist of enzymes and various types of acids. These juices are secreted by the various glands present in the stomach wall. If there is any damage in the inner lining of the stomach, it gives a burning sensation in stomach.

Causes Burning Sensation in Stomach

A very common type of bacteria known as H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is often responsible for causing a burning sensation in the stomach. This bacteria sits on the protective lining of the stomach, and when it gets favorable conditions it erodes the lining tissue of the stomach and causes inflammation. It is basically transmitted through physical contact between person to person. It has been found that people are mostly affected by this bacteria in childhood only and it stays in the stomach all through the life.

Other health problems can often lead to burning sensation of the stomach. They are - Crohn's disease, pernicious anemia, gallbladder diseases and so on. Sometimes, patients suffering from cancer experience a burning sensation in the stomach after undergoing treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Prolonged use of certain medicines like the anti-inflammatory drugs or pain killers to relieve pain often boil down the protective membrane of the stomach and lead to gastritis. Other substances that can cause burning a sensation in the stomach are excessive intake of alcohol or cocaine. Severe stress situations like trauma or any major surgery can cause burns in the stomach.

Mostly, this sensation is felt on the upper portion of the abdomen. This sensation is not a severe one and does not last for a long time. It is often accompanied by nausea feeling, swelling and pain in the upper abdomen. Due to the burning sensation, people often get a sense of fullness after eating which results in loss of appetite. This condition is diagnosed mainly by studying the medical history of the patient. Sometimes, blood tests and X-rays are carried out too for the purpose of diagnosis.

Treatment for Burning Sensation in Stomach

Treatment for burning sensation of the stomach include medications, change in lifestyle or treatment of the any other underlying diseases. Firstly, the main aim of the treatment is to reduce the acid formed in the stomach. In the initial stage, antacids either in tablet or liquid form is administered to the patients. If it is not effective on the patient, then acid blockers are administered which reduces the secretion of acid in the stomach. There are other drugs which are prescribed to protect the lining tissues of the stomach. In case the burning sensation occurs due to H. pylori infection, then it is treated with antibiotics. It is often combined with other medications. This treatment can continue for a long time till the bacteria is eliminated from the body. A change in lifestyle includes limited intake of alcohol. Of course, it is better if you can stop drinking alcohol altogether as it aggravates the inflammation of the stomach further. Smoking causes damage to the lining of the stomach. So it is essential to stop smoking in such a condition.

The burning sensation in stomach should not be neglected, and needs to be treated on time to prevent formation of stomach ulcers. Due to this burning sensation in stomach, if you find it difficult to eat properly, you can eat in small quantities and increase the number of meals per day. It is also advisable to avoid spicy foods. You should reduce the use of pain relieving drugs to prevent burning sensation in stomach.