Your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscular ring that connects your esophagus with your stomach. It relaxes to let food pass through but otherwise stays closed to prevent stomach acid from ...

Susan Russell, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and Medical Director of Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) for Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Medical ICU. Muscle strain commonly causes chest ...

Swan neck deformity is a hand deformity in which your fingers are bent abnormally. Your finger’s middle joint bends back more than usual. The tip of your finger is bent down. Swan neck deformity only ...

Visceral pain can be dull, whereas somatic pain feels sharp, stabbing, or poking. Common causes of chest tightness include heart disease, acid reflux, or asthma. It's important to get medical care ...