Today many people are on prescription medication. Others take dietary supplements to get added nutrition or to alleviate illness by alternative means. Those who have trouble swallowing pills face a real difficulty. Authorities estimate that perhaps forty percent of the American population may have a problem.
The internet is a wonderful resource if you are one of the 40%. First of all, it's nice to know you're not alone when you're having difficulties. There's so much advice online that you quickly figure out this is not an uncommon problem. Then, of course, you can take advantage of the ideas you find online. There are testimonials from private individuals and posts from health care professionals with medical credentials.
Apparently the position in which you hold your head is important to the swallowing process. The idea of throwing your head back when drinking deeply isn't helpful when you take a pill. It narrows your throat rather than opening it. Tucking your chin to your chest relaxes the throat and makes a dose go down more easily.
Some have an over-active gag reflex and find that trying to ingest something they haven't chewed will trigger it. They may expel a pill rather than getting it down. Others find that the pill, especially if it's in tablet form, sticks half-way down. Following the tablet with a piece of bread or a mouthful of food may help. Young children and the elderly are prone to these difficulties.
It's not always a good idea to chew a tablet or a capsule, since often the delivery process involves a special coating or protection from enzymes in the mouth and stomach or stomach acids. The label should indicate the best way to take the substance. One way to take a whole pill that makes it more appealing is to wrap it in a fruit snack or gummy bear. These little treats should slide down easily when taken with a sip of warm liquid or held in the mouth long enough to get slippery.
Using a straw to take in liquid to wash down the tablet or capsule is another tip. Apparently the act of sucking on a straw helps relax the throat and take enough liquid to swallow with an open throat. Chewing a mouthful of food and popping the pill in right before swallowing is another way to get it down and keep it from lodging half-way.
Water is the usual medium used to wash down medications, many of which are to be taken on an empty stomach. Care must be taken to read the directions; sometimes certain foods and beverages will interfere with the action of the ingredients. Those who have trouble drinking liquids, like people suffering from a condition called dysphagia, can use a thickening agent to keep from choking.
Cutting or crushing the tablet can help, but this may not be recommended. The taste may be awful, as well. It's better to practice taking big gulps, trying to hold your head properly, learning to relax, and using food or favorite liquids to make it easier. You can also ask if the medication or supplement is available in liquid or chewable form, or as a sub-lingual or spray.
The internet is a wonderful resource if you are one of the 40%. First of all, it's nice to know you're not alone when you're having difficulties. There's so much advice online that you quickly figure out this is not an uncommon problem. Then, of course, you can take advantage of the ideas you find online. There are testimonials from private individuals and posts from health care professionals with medical credentials.
Apparently the position in which you hold your head is important to the swallowing process. The idea of throwing your head back when drinking deeply isn't helpful when you take a pill. It narrows your throat rather than opening it. Tucking your chin to your chest relaxes the throat and makes a dose go down more easily.
Some have an over-active gag reflex and find that trying to ingest something they haven't chewed will trigger it. They may expel a pill rather than getting it down. Others find that the pill, especially if it's in tablet form, sticks half-way down. Following the tablet with a piece of bread or a mouthful of food may help. Young children and the elderly are prone to these difficulties.
It's not always a good idea to chew a tablet or a capsule, since often the delivery process involves a special coating or protection from enzymes in the mouth and stomach or stomach acids. The label should indicate the best way to take the substance. One way to take a whole pill that makes it more appealing is to wrap it in a fruit snack or gummy bear. These little treats should slide down easily when taken with a sip of warm liquid or held in the mouth long enough to get slippery.
Using a straw to take in liquid to wash down the tablet or capsule is another tip. Apparently the act of sucking on a straw helps relax the throat and take enough liquid to swallow with an open throat. Chewing a mouthful of food and popping the pill in right before swallowing is another way to get it down and keep it from lodging half-way.
Water is the usual medium used to wash down medications, many of which are to be taken on an empty stomach. Care must be taken to read the directions; sometimes certain foods and beverages will interfere with the action of the ingredients. Those who have trouble drinking liquids, like people suffering from a condition called dysphagia, can use a thickening agent to keep from choking.
Cutting or crushing the tablet can help, but this may not be recommended. The taste may be awful, as well. It's better to practice taking big gulps, trying to hold your head properly, learning to relax, and using food or favorite liquids to make it easier. You can also ask if the medication or supplement is available in liquid or chewable form, or as a sub-lingual or spray.
About the Author:
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