As a speech-language pathologist, I often work with individuals who struggle with swallowing medication due to difficulty with the size, shape, or texture of the capsule or tablet.
If you share this difficulty, fear not! There are several effective strategies that can make swallowing medications easier and more comfortable. Here are the two methods that I have taught to scores of patients:
1. The Bottle Method
This technique is a great strategy for people who can gulp or drink many consecutive sips from a bottle.
To start, fill a bottle with water and place the tablet or capsule in your mouth. Close your lips tightly around the bottle opening, and take a swig of water with the pill still on your tongue. As you drink, the pill will be swept down with the water. It’s important to drink enough water and swallow with enough force in one steady swallow or several consecutive swallows.
2. The Chin Tuck with Bolus Method
This technique seems to work best for people who complain that the tiny pills get stuck on their tongues.
For this method, place the pill on your tongue, then put water (or beverage of your choice) in your mouth. Close your lips and slightly tuck your chin down toward your chest. With your chin tucked, swallow hard (imagine you're swallowing a golf ball). This action helps to prevent liquid from spilling into your throat before you're ready to swallow, and because those tiny pills float, it reduces the chance that your pill will stay in your mouth.
And if you're looking for a quick fix, here are some products you can buy on Amazon. For full disclosure, I receive a tiny commission if you end up purchasing from these links.
The Med Hero is a reusable straw. This is a good product for children learning how to take pills and for adults who have a good lip seal (no weakness in their lips) Find it here: https://amzn.to/4h65Yur The OralFlo is a cup with a lid and a wide-mouth straw. It is ideal for those who have hand tremors which make drinking from an open cup messy. Find it here: https://amzn.to/4h48Rff
The Pill-Taker's Cup is a standard cup with a little shelf that holds pills. When you take a sip from the open cup, the pills are the first thing that enters your mouth. Find it here: https://amzn.to/4hrZq9u While these strategies and tools can be helpful, it’s important to note that if swallowing difficulties persist, seeking guidance from a speech-language pathologist is key. Contact us to assess your specific needs.
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