Sunday, May 15, 2011

Useful Tips For Taking Medicine

By Adriana Noton


These tips for taking medicine are designed to make the whole process a little bit easier for you. Many people find it hard to take medication, either because they don't like the taste, or because they don't like swallowing pills. Medicine is not designed to taste nice, a fact that helps prevent children from mistaking pills for sweets, however this doesn't make taking it any easier.

If you do need to take medication and really don't like the way it tastes there are a few things you can do to disguise it. The options available to you will depend in part on the type on medicine you need to take. Take care to read the labels and information sheets that accompany your medication in order to check whether there are any special instructions you need to follow, such as only taking the medication with food.

If you find it hard to swallow pills and tablets there are several things you can do. Some pills can be dissolved in liquid. This is a good option if it is the act of swallowing that you find difficult, as opposed to the taste of the tablets.

Crushing pills to powder form is something else you could try. In powder form they are suitable for mixing with food, for example you could mix the powder with a spoonful of jelly, or you could sprinkle it over an entire meal. Before doing this you need to check that the tablets you are taking are safe to be taken with food.

Giving yourself a treat can be another way of making medication easier to take. It needs to be something that you will consider to be a reward, such as time alone to read a book, or a bar of chocolate. This method is suitable for any type of medication making it a good option, especially for adults.

With liquid medication one possibility may be to mix it with another liquid which you like. You need to check the labels to make sure it is safe to do this, for example it may say that the medicine should not be diluted. If it can be diluted it's best to use as little additional liquid as possible. If it doubt you should check with your doctor.

Try and build the taking of your medicine into your normal routine. If you know you have to take it at the same time each day you are much more likely to do so. If you know you just have to take it 'at some time' you may find yourself putting it off and even missing doses which could be dangerous.

Get yourself a medication buddy to help you with taking your medicine. Often it is easier to do something we don't like if we have the support of another person to help us. They don't necessarily need to be with you in person, they could be at the end of a phone, but they may provide that little extra help that you need.

Finding good tips for taking medicine during menopause really can make a difference. Many families have their own tips which have come down through the generations. When you find one that works for you you'll be amazed at how much easier it becomes to take your medication and wish you had discovered it earlier.




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