7 Pro Tips For Swallowing Pills
If the thought of taking a pill makes you nervous, you are not alone. Many adults believe they should have outgrown their inability to swallow pills, yet a Harris Interactive study revealed that a staggering 40% of adults struggle with pills while having no problems with food or drinks.
When something has been chewed thoroughly enough to be swallowed, your body intuitively understands. Your gag reflex is triggered when something is excessively big and could potentially suffocate you. Some people have an overly sensitive gag reflex, but many adults have trouble swallowing pills because of mental obstacles. Maybe you swallowed a medication once and felt like you were going to choke, hurt, gag, or even throw up. When you have to take a drug again after that event, it might be really stressful.
These seven suggestions by a manufacturer that offers Capsule Customization should be helpful if you have a hard time swallowing medicines.
Practice, Practice, Practice
By practicing on something “simple” like gummy bears or a small piece of candy, you can reduce the anxiety that comes with taking medicines. To avoid choking, make sure to first cut or bite these into a reasonable size. It won’t be as frightening to swallow a tablet after you become used to the sensation.
Hide It
Try ingesting a pill with applesauce, yoghurt, or pudding rather than water. The thicker consistency of a soft solid can make it simpler to swallow in addition to masking the harsh taste of a tablet.
Numb It Down
By sucking on a throat-numbing lozenge or applying a numbing spray to the back of your throat, you can try to reduce your gag reaction.
Lean In
Although it seems odd, leaning forward actually facilitates pill swallowing. Researchers discovered an 89 percent improvement in the perception of ingesting medications from merely sipping water from a cup in the same trial that looked at the pop-bottle method. The pill should be placed on the tongue, followed by a sip of water (but not swallowing), a forward-bent head toward the chest, and swallowing.
Pop Bottles
According to a study conducted by the University of Heidelberg in Germany, the “pop-bottle method” improved participants’ perceptions of taking pills by 60%. You can try it by putting the pill on your tongue, sealing the bottle mouth with your lips, and then sucking water from the squeeze bottle while simultaneously swallowing the tablet. Don’t let air into the bottle by maintaining a tight seal.
Get Desensitized
Get your soft palate used to unfamiliar objects to reduce your gag response. As soon as you feel your gag reflex starting to work, start by brushing your tongue. When you brush every day like way, you’ll notice that your reflex becomes less sensitive over time.
Break It Down
If your medication schedule calls for more than one dose, take each one separately. By blending some tablets with soft foods like yoghurt or applesauce or by using a pill cutter to slice them into manageable pieces, you can avoid taking some medicines entirely. Just make sure to check with your doctor first, as some tablets, including timed-release formulas, must be taken whole.
Last but not least, as per a Gelatin Capsules manufacturer, if you are taking several drugs in pill form, speak with your doctor. He or she may be able to help by prescribing combination medications so that you can take fewer pills.