What is a key symptom of achalasia?

• A. Chest pain after exercise
• B. Dysphagia to both liquids and solids
• C. Acid reflux at night
• D. Rapid weight gain

Answer: (B)

Dysphagia to both liquids and solids is a hallmark symptom of achalasia, a disorder that affects the ability of the esophagus to move food into the stomach. In achalasia, the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax properly during swallowing, leading to a buildup of food and liquid in the esophagus. This causes patients to experience difficulty swallowing not just solids but also liquids, which can be particularly distressing and may lead to malnutrition and weight loss over time.

The other symptoms listed do not accurately represent the primary characteristics of achalasia. For example, chest pain after exercise is not a typical symptom associated with this condition, as achalasia primarily affects swallowing rather than cardiovascular response. Acid reflux at night can occur in different gastrointestinal conditions but is not specific to achalasia, where reflux is less common due to the difficulty in moving food past the lower esophageal sphincter. Rapid weight gain typically does not align with the presentation of achalasia, as most patients tend to lose weight due to inadequate nutrition and sustained difficulty eating. Therefore, dysphagia to both liquids and solids is a clear and defining symptom of achalasia.