10 Causes of Sternum Pain
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Cause #8: Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcer disease occurs when there is a break in the stomach lining, or first part of the small intestine known as the duodenum. It can be divided into a gastric ulcer (in the stomach) or duodenal ulcer (first part of small intestines).
The most common symptoms include upper abdominal pain which may be dull or burning, poor appetite, weight loss, belching, or vomiting. It can cause complications such as bleeding and perforation. It is usually caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori or use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other less common causes are Crohn’s disease, Behcet’s disease, liver cirrhosis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Peptic ulcer disease may also cause sternum pain.
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