UWorld Internal Medicine Practice Test

The condition characterized by chronic dysphagia to both solids and liquids, regurgitation, and weight loss is achalasia. This disorder arises due to the degeneration of the myenteric plexus, leading to impaired peristalsis in the esophagus and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax appropriately during swallowing. As a result, patients experience difficulty swallowing both solid foods and liquids, which contributes to the sensation of food being stuck, regurgitation of undigested food, and often significant weight loss due to the inability to eat properly.

In addition to these symptoms, achalasia can lead to complications such as aspiration and esophageal dilation over time. The atypical presentation of dysphagia that affects both solid and liquid intake is particularly indicative of this condition and helps differentiate it from other potential causes of dysphagia. Other conditions, like esophageal cancer or esophageal webs, have different symptom profiles or additional features that do not align fully with the primary symptoms of achalasia.

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