Without Gagging or Getting Them Stuck
You don't have to suffer from "Phagophobia", or "the fear of swallowing" to experience problems when you're trying to take pills. Even though some pills are small in size, others are not. Especially when it comes to tablets. Some tablets, such as Vitamin C and E, can be quite large in size. Prescription drugs aren't always small in size either. And they can be difficult to swallow.But, relax, because you can learn how to swallow pills easily.
Sometimes, a person tenses up when they are attempting to take pills. This can actually cause the muscles of the neck and throat to tense up too. This can make it difficult to swallow even the smallest of pills. If this happens to you, before you attempt to take the prescription drugs or vitamins pills or tablets, stop. Take several deep breaths and relax your neck and throat muscles. Breathe in and breathe out deeply until you feel calm again.
If you still have a problem swallowing pills or tablets because your neck or throat won't relax, don't worry. Try sucking on an ice cube or a Popsicle right before you need to take your vitamins or prescription drugs. The ice cube or Popsicle will help numb your throat. In turn, your gag reflex won't be as sensitive.
If you're accustomed to throwing pills into the back of your throat to take them, that can cause problems too. Because, when your throat is stimulated by- what your mind perceives to be a foreign object- your natural gag reflex kicks in. You can end up gagging and coughing, (and not swallowing the pills or tablets), simply because they were put in your throat.
Instead, learn how to swallow pills easily by placing vitamins and prescriptions on the tip of your tongue. Then, take a small drink of water and tilt your head back slightly. Swallow the water and the pill or tablet should go down easily with the liquid.
Taking a small drink of water before you place the pill on your tongue can also help you swallow the vitamin or prescription drug easier too.
- Breathe deeply and relax before you take a pill or tablet.
- Take a drink of water before you place the pill on your tongue.
- Tossing pills in the back of your throat can cause a gag reflex.
Comments
Kayla
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/12/2010
I have to take Azithromycin, for strep throat. It's my 5th day taking it, as well as my last. I haven't taken it yet. My mom broke it up into 3 pieces and I'm still scared to take it. Funny thing is, I can take Aleve, for my headaches, easily. And that pill as a whole is bigger than one piece of my pill. But Azithromycin has an absolutely horrible taste to it, and I just don't like it. I guess it's the taste that makes me freeze up, who knows. Yesterday, my aunt told me I could dissolve the pill in hot tea, as long as I drank all of it. I did, and I'm NEVER trying that again, I could taste every single bit of it. What I've done for the past few days, though, is break the pill up, and I put it on my tongue. Any other way for me will make me spit it out because I can't swallow it. After you put it on your tongue, you should have a preffered liquid near you, and in your hand if that makes you feel like you can get to it faster. Don't close your mouth just yet, because if you do, you'll be
Christina
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/24/2009
I have a problem swallowing because of the chalk taste the pill gives off, the taste of the chalk makes my stomach hurt, and I feel like throwing up. I try different kinds of liquids. But all it takes is for the pill to lightly touch my tongue or throat and that chalk taste is in my mind mouth and stomach.
Platinum
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/22/2009
I have something I do. Instead of drinking water, drink a thicker like grape juice. This way, you can't really "feel" the pill in your mouth. Put the pill in your mouth, and trap it on one side of your mouth, between your teeth and your cheeks. Drink the juice, and as you swallow, open your teeth, and the pill will mix with the liquid. You then swallow. Don't worry about it being sideways, because all that will do is get you nervous, and make you gag. Also try listening to some calming music while you do it. It worked for me as a 12 year old, and it's still working, but I'm only 15. As for the fear of choking, pills dissolve. So the pill will dissolve before actually "choking" and killing you. So that should eliminate that fear. You are in NO danger at all, and not swallowing the pill will only harm you, instead of helping.
Aaron
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/12/2009
I have trouble swallowing pills. The Pill is a Cetirizine Hydrochloride pill. It is about a third of an inch big. I cannot swallow it. I put the pill in the back of my throat. When I'm about to drink a gulp of water, I spit it out and I just can't simply do it.
Picture of the pill: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/images/multum/Zyrtec%205%20mg.jpg
Sherrie
(Guest)
(Guest)
10/10/2009
I have had this problem for as long as I can remember. I've tried EVERY trick out there (gelatin, applesauce, pudding, ice, Chloraseptic to numb my throat, bread, etc) and no luck. I have even tried deep breathing exercises, relaxation CDs, having my husband rub my shoulders to relax me, etc...NOTHING!!! I am 39 years old and currently on coumadin (blood thinner), pain medication, muscle relaxer, 2 pills for high cholesterol and high triglycerides, 2 anti-depressants and a pill for restless leg syndrome. The smallest of these is the muscle relaxer (about the size of a Sudafed) and I CANNOT get it to go down. The others I can crush or cut into tiny pieces in order to take them. I jokingly asked my doctor if I could be hypnotized in order to alleviate this problem and he told me that's an invitation to drug abuse (I'm sorry, I don't think that's true). I just want to be like "normal" people who can put a pill in their mouth, take a drink and swallow it without any issues. It's emb
Ivan
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/21/2009
I try to swallow pills and I can... but the pill always seems to get stuck in my throat. Sometimes even for over an hour and it's very uncomfortable. I will try eating will taking a pill.
Pauline
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/04/2009
Several years ago, my dentist commented on my dry mouth and throat and I raced to an oral surgeon and he said, "With age things do not function as well." Great. I have found that sipping a bit of water, and then taking a little bite of banana and chewing it until it is slimy, then placing the pill at the back of my tongue, swallowing and then following it up with water, the pills go down easier. I believe that my throat is not as large as it should be, but they say that having it stretched is painful.
Bob
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/03/2009
I still struggle with the larger pills. Here is a tip: get a tasty cake or any other type of soft pastry. Stick the pill into it and take a bite. Try to soften up the food around the pill without biting the actual pill and just swallow. feels no different that regular eating.
neeks
(Guest)
(Guest)
05/20/2009
I cannot take a pill to save my life. Sounds silly but its true. My legs shake,my heart beats faster and i just start to panic and end up gagging. this is genuinely a big fear of mine that i wana overcome
Louise
(Guest)
(Guest)
05/01/2009
Hi, I take about 15 pills a day for illnessess and have so many problems with gagging. i almost always end up not taking them. i will try the popsicle since i need this med everyday.
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