How to Overcome Difficulty Swallowing Drugs Pills, Tablets & Capsules

For most children and even adults, taking pill-based drugs, tablets or capsules is a tough task that is difficult to do. None of us are truly immune to illness so the need to take solid drugs in tablet form will not be avoided. Some people face problems when swallowing drugs for fear of choking and worrying the drug will not be able to pass through the esophagus.

Pills that tasted bitter made it even more difficult. This article was written with the aim of helping to alleviate this phobia. Let's take a look at some simple tricks that will help you or your children in overcoming the fear and the discomfort of swallowing pills.

How to Overcome Fear
These tips are mainly for adults. First of all, try to relax before taking the pill.
Sit in a quiet place with a glass of water and your medicine. Throw away fear and anxiety.
When anxious, there is the possibility of fear precisely stimulate the occurrence of choking which eventually lead to pills stuck in the esophagus.

Keep in mind; do not take the pill while lying down. Hold the pill in your right hand and a glass of water in the other hand. Drink a little water to moisten the esophagus and lubricate it. Next, open the mouth wide and stick out the tongue. Then place the pill behind the tongue as far as possible.
Next, drink water and swallow the water with the pill in your mouth while raising your head. Follow with some more water. While doing this, without you knowing it, the pill will already be in your stomach.

Raise your head to open a wider food channel that helps in swallowing. If necessary, do the exercise first with a pill-size candy before taking any real medication. Make sure you do not swallow water too fast as this can cause coughing.

 
Use Syrup Drugs
In the case of children, avoid giving pills to them. Use drugs for children in the form of equally effective syrups. Parents can ask the doctor to prescribe syrup, instead of tablets or pills.

If there is no choice of syrup, mix the capsules or pills in various foods such as ice cream.
You can also grind pills and mix them with juice or milk. In this way, children can easily take the drug.

Read: How to get Better Slep? 

But keep in mind, some pills (especially antibiotics) should not be mixed with dairy products or other food ingredients before consumption. So, consult with your doctor so that your child can safely consume the drug.