Actually, that is the most dangerous way to swallow any solid item. What happens is that you take away the body's natural protection from having a solid object enter the trachea and choke you. Tilting your head back is exactly what paramedics and physicians do to clear an airway to your lungs and allow removal of foreign objects.
Strange as it sounds, the safest way to swallow a pill is by tilting your head forward so your chin almost hits your chest. This way, there's little to no chance of anything lodging in the "wrong pipe." Sensitive people also tend to gag less this way.
One more word of advice. Take one pill at a time. Multiples can lead to choking. The same goes for taking your medication while performing another task. Caution in this case will prevent accidents.
Fruit Juice Can Be Abused.
In the May, 2001 issue of Pediatrics, a position paper was released by the American Academy of Pediatrics concerning the use and misuse of fruit juice. Fruit juices are marketed as healthful and a natural source of vitamins and children love the sweetness. That's why they drink more than any other group of people.
The paper recommends no juice for infants under the age of 6 months and no more than 6 ounces for those older infants. When you do give juice to children, make it 100% pure juice and not simulated products. Those juice-like products are mainly sugar and water, definitely not a healthful drink. Never give juice to a child with diarrhea or if dehydrated.
Though a glass of juice counts as a serving of fruit, it contains no fiber and is consumed faster and in greater quantity then the actual product. This has led to excess consumption which is linked to conditions of overweight and poor nutrition.
Measuring Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a most controversial topic - so much so that there's a series of articles appearing in the British Medical Journal about it. The latest simply discusses the measuring of Blood Pressure.
In the article, physicians are reminded that blood pressure varies depending on numerous factors. First, the device used will vary depending on the manufacturer, model and calibration. It is much more difficult to take measurements on children and the elderly. Standing, sitting or lying down will affect the reading. The preferred position when taking your pressure is with your arm at heart level.
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