Actor Zeenat Aman choked on BP medicine: This is the right way to swallow pills

Actor Zeenat Aman has shared a scary incident on social media platform Instagram. In the long post, the actor has talked about a serious, life threatening problem that is mostly overlooked.

"I popped the pill into my mouth, took a sip of water, and then felt my breath catch. There it was, this little pill lodged in my throat. Too far down to regurgitate and too far up to swallow. I could still breathe, but it was restricted. I took another drink of water, and then another and another, until the glass was empty but the pill remained stuck," writes Zeenat Aman on Instagram.

She then writes, she called her son and went to the doctor. "There’s no dramatic ending to this story. Zahaan landed up, we finally got through to the doctor who said it would dissolve in time, and I spent the next few hours sipping warm water and waiting," she writes.

"I woke up this morning feeling a little sheepish about the ordeal. But having been through it I feel the need to contrive a metaphor from the experience. There will always be difficult times in one’s life that demands less action and more patience. The pill is a metaphor for that situation. It was all I could think about, it’s discomfort was intense, I sought solutions from others, but ultimately all I could do was practice patience and control over my own fears. And then when it dissolved - it was good for me," she writes in the heartfelt post.

Read the post here:


While Zeenat Aman's post definitely had a meaning that taught the readers to practice patience, it also gives a warning to all those who consume pills on a daily basis.

Pills are usually designed in a manner that they don't get stuck when swallowing, however, one needs to be careful while eating them.

Always take pills with a full glass of water unless otherwise directed by your doctor or pharmacist. This helps moisten the throat and ensures the pill doesn’t get stuck.

Never attempt to swallow a pill while lying down, as this increases the risk of choking. Sit or stand with your back straight to align your esophagus properly.

Place the pill in the center of your tongue or slightly toward the back of your mouth, but avoid placing it too far back to prevent gagging.

Take a sip of water, tilt your head slightly forward, and swallow the pill along with the water in one smooth motion. Place the pill on your tongue, seal your lips around the opening of a water bottle, and drink by sucking the water and pill together. This method can be particularly helpful for large pills.

For those with persistent difficulty, ask your doctor or pharmacist if your pill can be safely split, crushed, or taken in a liquid form. Never alter a pill without professional advice, as some medications lose effectiveness or become unsafe when modified.

Drink another glass of water after swallowing to ensure the pill moves completely into your stomach, reducing the risk of irritation in the esophagus.