Taking a tablet with water not only makes it easier to swallow, but also prevents the tablet from sticking to the esophagus, causing discomfort and even leading to inflammation at the site, causing symptoms such as:
- Burning in the throat;
- Ball sensation when swallowing;
- Chest pain;
- Feeling short of breath.
In addition, when the pill is not pushed out by saliva and remains in contact with the wall of the esophagus for a long time, it can even cause a wound that bleeds and is difficult to identify, since it normally does not cause any symptoms, due to the lack of nerves. in the region.
Although this is a situation that normally does not happen by swallowing just one pill without water, if you are in the habit of doing it constantly, the contact of these pills with the esophagus, over time, can create a perforation in its walls, putting life at risk.
In rarer cases, such as taking the contraceptive without water, there is also the possibility that the pill will not be pushed into the stomach, ending up in one of the airways and ending up in the lung. This, in addition to causing some difficulty breathing and very intense pain, can also cause pneumonia.
How to swallow pill correctly
To avoid these complications, it is advisable to take the tablets with at least a glass of water, preferably standing or sitting. You should also avoid lying down for 15 minutes after taking the medicine, so that the pill does not run the risk of going back into the esophagus, especially in people with reflux.
People who cannot swallow pills should, whenever possible, ask the doctor for a prescription for the medicine in the form of a syrup or take the medicine in the form of an injection, as with many antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or painkillers, for example.