Swallowing pills can be such a daunting task especially if you have to do it on a daily basis. The problems associated with pills are numerous. They range from, fear, the bad taste of some of them to forgetting of dosages. Many doctors will tell you that you will not get well if you do not take your medication as prescribed. There are a number of tips on how to swallow pills if you are faced with these challenges.
The fear of gagging is the biggest challenge to swallowing. While the gag reflex is very vital to the maintenance of a patent airway, it may impede the passage of some substances such as medication. Successful swallowing of some drugs may require that this reflex is suppressed at least momentarily. There are several relaxation techniques that can be used to relax and suppress it.
Positioning is one of the most important things that you need to learn. Placing the chin as close to the chest as possible is a position that helps in keeping the esophagus open and the windpipe closed. In this position the reflex is suppressed and the fear to swallow overcome. Taking a deep breath is also helpful. Place the tablet in the middle of the tongue and use some water to wash it down.
One of the easiest ways of getting the pill into your stomach is to use a sweetener. Honey and peanut butter are particularly good with children. A drop or two will be enough for a single pill. Use a spoon to swallow the coated pill and wash it down with a glass of water. The good news is that neither honey nor peanut butter has an effect on the potency of the drug so you do not have to worry about the effectiveness.
There are many pills that are available with enteric coating to make them sweeter. Coating also reduces the irritation of the stomach lining and makes the drugs more tolerable. Ensure that you talk to your pharmacist regarding the availability of this type of pills. These tablets are effective in stimulating the secretion of saliva that is also important for the process.
Sometimes it may take several practice sessions to make it easier. Commonly, people use candy for this process. The candy helps to relax the esophagus so that the pill goes through easily. Ensure that the candy that is used for this is almost the same size as that of the pill. Using other liquids other than water may help as well.
There are a number of pills that can be broken down into smaller pieces without reducing their effectiveness. Some can even be ground into fine powder and mixed with water to make a suspension. It is important that you read the instructions on the drug sheet carefully before breaking down the drug. Consult with your pharmacist if you have any doubts.
For scheduled medications, you need to have a reminder so that you do not forget. The use of an alarm reminder is the easiest and most effective. You can also schedule your mediation to be taken just before or after meals. Alternatively you can have a friend remind you every time you need to have the medication.
The fear of gagging is the biggest challenge to swallowing. While the gag reflex is very vital to the maintenance of a patent airway, it may impede the passage of some substances such as medication. Successful swallowing of some drugs may require that this reflex is suppressed at least momentarily. There are several relaxation techniques that can be used to relax and suppress it.
Positioning is one of the most important things that you need to learn. Placing the chin as close to the chest as possible is a position that helps in keeping the esophagus open and the windpipe closed. In this position the reflex is suppressed and the fear to swallow overcome. Taking a deep breath is also helpful. Place the tablet in the middle of the tongue and use some water to wash it down.
One of the easiest ways of getting the pill into your stomach is to use a sweetener. Honey and peanut butter are particularly good with children. A drop or two will be enough for a single pill. Use a spoon to swallow the coated pill and wash it down with a glass of water. The good news is that neither honey nor peanut butter has an effect on the potency of the drug so you do not have to worry about the effectiveness.
There are many pills that are available with enteric coating to make them sweeter. Coating also reduces the irritation of the stomach lining and makes the drugs more tolerable. Ensure that you talk to your pharmacist regarding the availability of this type of pills. These tablets are effective in stimulating the secretion of saliva that is also important for the process.
Sometimes it may take several practice sessions to make it easier. Commonly, people use candy for this process. The candy helps to relax the esophagus so that the pill goes through easily. Ensure that the candy that is used for this is almost the same size as that of the pill. Using other liquids other than water may help as well.
There are a number of pills that can be broken down into smaller pieces without reducing their effectiveness. Some can even be ground into fine powder and mixed with water to make a suspension. It is important that you read the instructions on the drug sheet carefully before breaking down the drug. Consult with your pharmacist if you have any doubts.
For scheduled medications, you need to have a reminder so that you do not forget. The use of an alarm reminder is the easiest and most effective. You can also schedule your mediation to be taken just before or after meals. Alternatively you can have a friend remind you every time you need to have the medication.
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