WitchHazel Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 When I was a child I was able to gargle really easily. I could gargle strongly, for a long time, and without any problems. At some point in my adult life, gargling became a problem. I can't do it. I try, and I;m retching and/or choking within about a second. I'm not talking about gargling for fun (if there is such a thing). I'm trying to gargle some soluble aspirin to help my sore throat. I've tried using warm water, I've tried only sipping a tiny amount, but i think I'm now having a bit of an anti-gargle-reflex problem. Anyone got any suggestions on how I can overcome this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 My Mum always used to hold her nose when she gargled. Never knew why,but it might stop the gag reflex from happening,maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 Thanks Sarah. I've drunk the aspirin now, so I'll try this in 4 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Smiling supresses the gag reflex I have the same problem so I lean forward when I clan my teeth/use mouthwash etc but I guess if you need to get something right to the back of your throat that wouldnt work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Can't help but sympathise, I can't gargle now either without gagging ans wretching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Have you had your tonsils out? - I had mine out in my twenties and haven't been able to gargle since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I haven't any tonsils, but can gargle. How about trying to sing when gargling - that might take the mind off the gagging effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 Thanks for your replies everyone. I haven't had my tonsils out. I've just tried the suggestions with some warm water. Holding my nose, and singing (and singing and holding my nose combined) didn't work. The gag reflex kicked in the moment I put my head back and started the airflow. Two things DID work though. The first was smiling. I "grinned" broadly (think Joker's painted on smile) before even sipping the water, and I managed to gargle. The other thing which worked was not tilting my head back very far. To check whether the second success was a success in its own right (ie it wasn't hanging on to the smiling coat tails), I then re-tested the nose holding and the singing, and I gagged in both cases. I then tried the not-leaning-very-far-back again, and it worked. And the grinning worked. And, with some effort, I managed to tilt my head right back whilst grinning. So would say that grinning is the answer thank you Redwing. Perhaps some of the other dysgarglers might care to validate? Thanks for your help (seriously). Hazel xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 So would say that grinning is the answer thank you Redwing. Ace I learnt that off CSI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 The things we learn on a chicken keeping forum! I can't gargle either. I never thought I'd hear myself announce that fact publicly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Well done Redwing - and for remembering the episode! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I can't gargle - I sometimes struggle with the mouth wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 I can't gargle - I sometimes struggle with the mouth wash Then you are a perfect candidate to validate the efficacy of the Grinning technique. Try it, and let us know if it works for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I had no idea it was possible to not be able to gargle . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 The things we learn on a chicken keeping forum! I can't gargle either. I never thought I'd hear myself announce that fact publicly! Just what I was thinking All we non-garglers will be grinning now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
