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The only thing worse than having a sick child at home is trying to get your child to take medicine, especially when it comes to swallowing pills. We have all been there: pleading, begging and even tricking our kids into taking their pills so they can get better. We have crushed pills in food, offered rewards and even blackmailed our children with candy. Whatever it takes.
There is some good news. The Toronto Star reports that research by Dr. Kathleen Bradford and others at the University of North Carolina has identified techniques to help kids swallow pills when they are ill.
Bradford found that swallowing medicine was hard for one in 10 children. So, it’s not just your children who have difficulty. Some of the most common reasons for these difficulties include taste, discomfort, pill size and fear.
Of the studies Bradford reviewed, she found that there are some favourable techniques:
The researcher says that crushing pills is not a good idea: “Crushing pills into food isn’t generally advised — particularly for extended-release medicine because crushing can release a higher-than-intended dose all at once. Also, some pills’ medicine flavour can’t be disguised.”
Here are some great ways to help your children take their medicine as prescribed:
There is no perfect solution, but the important thing to keep in mind is to make things fun, communicate with your children and understand what makes swallowing and taking medicine difficult for them. As long as one method works, that’s all that matters.
Considering the cost of some medications for children today, the last thing you want is to waste or miss a dose. Missing doses of medication can have a negative impact on the symptoms that are being treated, and it can cost you money unnecessarily, especially if you do not have health insurance for prescription drugs.
Health insurance for families is important, especially when you have young children. To lower your out-of-pocket medical expenses, consider buying medical insurance coverage.