“A hard pill to swallow” is not just a metaphor.
Four in 10 adults have trouble swallowing pills and may not be able to get the medication they need.
Many patients have difficulty swallowing large tablets, but even small capsules or tablets can cause nausea, vomiting, and choking.
Now, speech therapist Leanne Goldberg has revealed the ‘correct’ way to take the pill, which she claims is safer than the traditional method.
She said that placing the tablet in the center of a spoonful of applesauce, yogurt, or a similar texture so that the consistency of the puree allows the tablet to fall smoothly will help.
“To combat hypersensitivity gag, take a deep breath, hold it, place the pill in the middle of your tongue, take a sip of liquid, and swallow firmly, all while holding your breath,” says Goldberg. say. said.
Many patients have difficulty swallowing large tablets, but they also often have trouble swallowing small capsules, causing nausea, vomiting, and choking.
Most people who have difficulty swallowing pills do not have the same difficulty swallowing liquids or food, known as pill dysphagia.
The discomfort may be so great that you may not be able to take your prescribed medications.
According to one study, 40% of people who have trouble swallowing pills 14% are late Eight percent took their medication, 4 percent skipped a dose, and 4 percent stopped taking their medication.
Dr. Goldberg said that while most patients have difficulty swallowing large pills, they also often have trouble swallowing small capsules.
These problems include a hypersensitive gag reflex, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, an aversion to the taste of tablets, scleroderma (a condition in which scar-like tissue forms in the esophagus), and long-term hypersensitivity. Several factors may be involved. – Persistent problems caused by radiation therapy after head and neck cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Heidelberg in Germany have proposed two techniques to help people improve their ability to swallow drugs.
One of them is the pop bottle method. First, fill a plastic or soda bottle with water, place the tablet on your tongue, and seal tightly with your lips around the opening of the bottle.
Then, while holding the bottle against your lips, use a sucking motion to swallow both the water and the pill. Be careful not to trap air inside the bottle.
Researchers asked about 140 people who had difficulty swallowing pills to try this method by closing their eyes while swallowing large or very large pills.
They showed a 60 percent improvement in swallowing compared to the previous method of taking a sip of water from a cup and swallowing.
To swallow a pill while leaning forward, place the capsule on your tongue, take a sip of water without swallowing, and tilt your chin toward your chest. Swallow the capsule and water with your head bent.
This technique is an 89% improvement over the traditional method of taking a sip of water from a cup and swallowing it.
Their report is Family medicine annual report.
Experts warned against mixing medicines into fine powders and drinks or viscous foods.
Crushing tablets can damage the tablet coating or release control mechanism, potentially altering the effectiveness of the drug and potentially leading to overdosage or underdosage, depending on the drug.
