Diffuse esophageal spasm presents with which symptom?

Diffuse esophageal spasm presents with which symptom?

• A. Sharp chest pain with hot or cold foods and dysphagia
• B. Chest pain after meals
• C. Heartburn relieved by antacids
• D. Exertional chest tightness

Answer: (A)

Intermittent noncardiac chest pain with dysphagia due to discoordinated esophageal contractions is the hallmark of diffuse esophageal spasm. These episodes can feel sharp or stabbing and are often triggered by swallowing or by exposure to hot or cold foods and drinks. The chest pain may mimic angina, which is why patients sometimes seek cardiac evaluation, but it occurs in the esophagus and is linked to abnormal motility rather than coronary disease. That’s why the description of sharp chest pain accompanied by dysphagia and provoked by hot or cold foods best fits diffuse esophageal spasm. By contrast, chest pain after meals points more toward reflux-related disorders or peptic disease; heartburn relieved by antacids suggests gastroesophageal reflux; exertional chest tightness is more typical of cardiac ischemia.

Intermittent noncardiac chest pain with dysphagia due to discoordinated esophageal contractions is the hallmark of diffuse esophageal spasm. These episodes can feel sharp or stabbing and are often triggered by swallowing or by exposure to hot or cold foods and drinks. The chest pain may mimic angina, which is why patients sometimes seek cardiac evaluation, but it occurs in the esophagus and is linked to abnormal motility rather than coronary disease.

That’s why the description of sharp chest pain accompanied by dysphagia and provoked by hot or cold foods best fits diffuse esophageal spasm. By contrast, chest pain after meals points more toward reflux-related disorders or peptic disease; heartburn relieved by antacids suggests gastroesophageal reflux; exertional chest tightness is more typical of cardiac ischemia.