dimanche 2 novembre 2014

How To Swallow Pills With Ease

By Etta Bowen


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 makes it difficult for a pill to go past the throat in some people. The gag reflex is a protective function of the body that stimulates a cough when an object is stuck in the throat. In some cases, however, this reflex may work to our disadvantage by tightening the throat and making it difficult for substances to pass through. Proper relaxation by various techniques helps to keep the throat patent.

For swallowing to take place, proper positioning is very important. The optimal position involves placing the chin close to the chest as opposed to looking upwards. The idea is to ensure that the esophagus is open and the trachea is closed. This position also suppresses the gag reflex. While in this position, take a deep breath and swallow the pill with a glass of water.

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.

A number of pills can be swallowed in smaller pieces or crushed into powder. Better still, they can be dissolved in water to make a suspension that is definitely a lot easier to swallow. Ensure that you read the drug information sheet on the proper instructions of swallowing. Breaking down some drugs reduces their potency and it is, therefore, very important that you consult your pharmacist if you have 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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