Achalasia symptoms develop slowly, with symptoms lasting for months or years. Symptoms include: Trouble swallowing (dysphagia). This is the most common early symptom. Regurgitation of undigested food. Chest pain that comes and goes; pain can be severe. Heartburn. Cough at night Weight loss/malnutrition from difficulty eating. This is a late symptom. Hiccups, difficulty belching (less common symptoms)