You’ve been swallowing issues your whole life: breast milk (or system), meals––possibly a marble or small Lego. However do you know that swallowing capsules is totally different?
Let’s begin with how to not swallow a capsule.
Sorry, however Bruce Willis in all 5 Die Laborious films is inaccurate. You don’t simply take a small handful of aspirin, toss them into your mouth, and jerk your head again whereas swallowing.
To not point out, in case you have a dry mouth (xerostomia) or hassle swallowing (dysphagia), the capsules will seemingly get caught and make you choke. Or, they’ll simply roll round your mouth and stick with the interior a part of your cheek.
Mission not completed!
Okay, too many Hollywood references already. However, it’s so simple to make use of the flicks as examples of how to not swallow a capsule. Bruce and Tom, I do love your films …
So, what’s the easiest way?
First, the following tips and tips apply to all capsules: prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, nutritional vitamins, and different oral cures (not dissolving or liquid formulations).
Drugs can typically be extra comfortably swallowed when taken with one thing that isn’t water. Strive “nectar-thick” liquids, applesauce, pudding, and the like. Or, even a mouthful of meals that you’ve got chewed––pop a capsule in simply as you’re about to swallow.
It’s simpler for many individuals to swallow one thing with substance as a result of when it will get to the again of the mouth (posterior oropharynx) the tongue base has a neater time propelling it downward. Word to self: peanut butter doesn’t work very effectively.
The approach can also be vital.
Don’t toss your head backward and chug them down; you aren’t ingesting beer. Truly, tilting your head ahead can assist keep away from capsules “taking place the fallacious method” (translate: ending up in your airway and inflicting plenty of coughing and gagging).
I’ll always remember when my late grandmother was within the hospital. She was not used to taking many medicines (even on the age of 105!) and tilted her head again however couldn’t get her morning meds down. Gently redirecting her to tilt her head ahead did the trick. Oh, and adjusting the hospital mattress and pillow so her head and neck weren’t scrunched so uncomfortably.
This brings up another excuse for hassle swallowing capsules, a situation known as presbyesophagus. No, it’s not a spiritual time period. It actually means modifications within the look of the esophagus (the lengthy, muscular conduit main from our mouth to our abdomen), typically because of growing older. It usually causes a change in motility: the flexibility of the muscular tissues to work appropriately whereas swallowing.
As individuals age, there are lots of components that may result in the esophagus not working effectively––it’s a muscular tube, and lots of issues affect muscular operate. So, if a capsule is “not taking place,” it may well get caught and trigger many issues.
Right here’s the place issues get counterintuitive. Larger capsules are simpler to swallow than smaller capsules.
Sure, I notice that these “horse capsules” are daunting. However, swallowing a tiny capsule — , those that whenever you drop on the ground you may’t discover — could be difficult as a result of they’re so tiny and exhausting to propel downward. Chugging some water afterward can undoubtedly assist.
That mentioned, I don’t imply to insult these with capsule phobia. There are some who’re fearful about swallowing any sort of capsule, massive or small.
One different tip is to ask your pharmacist or verify on-line sources to see in case your capsule(s) could be crushed earlier than taking it. Not all capsules can, and typically crushing will destroy how the medicine or complement is to be absorbed. So, you’ll want to discover out.
Do you’ve got a bitter capsule to swallow?
And, sure, I imply an precise bitter capsule, not the metaphorical one! One other trick is to study the place the style buds are usually positioned in your tongue. In case you rigorously place a bitter capsule (prednisone, for instance) on the middle of your tongue, you’ll get much less of that horrible aftertaste upon swallowing.
Lastly, I’d encourage everybody taking any medicine, complement, or different oral treatment to get into the behavior of naming each one earlier than swallowing. Bonus: additionally, title why you take it or for what situation.
Higher but, do that out loud, even in case you are simply speaking to your self!
I do know that may be difficult to do whereas within the hospital when capsules arrive in a tiny white paper cup. Nevertheless, you are able to do this at residence even if you happen to use a pillbox for each day, weekly, or month-to-month capsules.
Your doctor will thanks the following time you evaluation your medicine listing and don’t discuss with “the little white capsule.”
I not too long ago had the pleasure (hah!) of swallowing 14 capsules within the morning for a post-COVID neurologic complication and tried doing this naming train. It was tougher than it sounds! I recognized every capsule and its use earlier than tossing the entire bunch in my mouth to swallow. Phew!
I’ll finish with a private opinion about gummy dietary supplements and medicines.
I really discover the large gummy business deceptive. It actually appears to be like like sweet to me (and to children!), and infrequently there are dyes and sugars that make the gummy extra interesting (and to children!). And, it’s too simple to take one or two further. (Identical for youths!)
Extra will not be higher, even for a “good” complement or capsule. So, this simply doesn’t cross underneath my security radar with out inflicting a blip.
Susan J. Baumgaertel is an inner drugs doctor.
Picture credit score: Shutterstock.com
