For many people living with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or chronic back pain, managing daily symptoms like stiffness, discomfort or inflammation often involves taking oral medications. But what happens when swallowing pills or liquids becomes difficult or even dangerous?

At Zea, we believe wellness should be accessible to everyone, including those who have difficulty swallowing. That’s why we’ve developed a range of topical alternatives that deliver effective relief through the skin, without the need to swallow a thing.

In this article, we’ll explore what dysphagia is, who it affects, the risks associated with taking oral medications when swallowing is difficult, and how topical natural products can offer a safer, more empowering alternative for managing pain, inflammation, and other health concerns, along with who can benefit most from using them.

What Is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, affecting an estimated 8% of the global population, over 600 million people worldwide. While it may seem minor, dysphagia can greatly impact daily life, including eating, drinking, and safely taking oral medications or supplements. For those with this condition, swallowing becomes a source of stress, discomfort, and risk.

Swallowing is a complex reflex involving 26 muscles and numerous nerves. Humans swallow 500 to 700 times daily, to move food, liquid, saliva, or medicine safely from the mouth to the stomach. When this process is disrupted, it can cause coughing, choking, or serious complications like aspiration.

People with musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis are more likely to experience dysphagia. Rheumatoid arthritis can inflame small joints in the throat, causing pain or tightness, while ankylosing spondylitis can limit neck movement, affecting swallowing muscles and nerves. For these individuals, topical pain relief products offer a gentler, easier alternative to oral medications.

Some of the common symptoms include:

• Coughing or choking during meals

• A sensation of food being stuck in the throat

• Pain when swallowing

• Recurrent chest infections due to aspiration

The Risks of Oral Medications and Supplements for People with Dysphagia

Swallowing pills or capsules can be difficult or unsafe for people with dysphagia, increasing the risk of:

• Aspiration (where food or liquid enters the airway instead of the oesophagus)

• Choking or gagging

• Poor medication compliance, as people may avoid taking necessary supplements or medicines

• Gastrointestinal irritation

Why Topical Products Are a Better Alternative for Dysphagia

Topical delivery, applying a product to the skin, is a safe and effective alternative for many people who are unable to take oral medications or supplements. It bypasses the digestive system entirely and offers a gentle, non-invasive way to support health and wellbeing.

At Zea, we offer a growing range of natural topical products that deliver real results through the skin, without the need to swallow anything.

For Those Who Can’t Take Oral Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports muscle function, nervous system health, energy production, and quality sleep. However, for people with dysphagia or other swallowing difficulties, taking oral Magnesium supplements, which are often large, gritty, or unpleasant-tasting, can be challenging or even unsafe.

Additionally, those who struggle to eat a balanced diet due to swallowing issues may also be at higher risk of Magnesium deficiency.

That’s why we created our Magnesium Oil Topical Spray, a gentle, non-invasive alternative made with pure Magnesium Chloride and water. It’s applied directly to the skin, where it’s absorbed into the body, helping to:

• Soothe sore or tight muscles

• Reduce cramps and tension

• Promote calmness and restful sleep

Topical Magnesium makes it easier for people to maintain optimal Magnesium levels, without the need to swallow a thing.

For Those Who Can’t Take Oral Pain Relief

Common pain relief medications are often hard to swallow, or not suitable for long-term use due to side effects. For those with dysphagia who are unable to swallow oral pain relief, topical products provide an easy and effective alternative.

Zea’s natural, topical pain relief range offers effective alternatives:

• Kunzea Pain Relief Cream – An anti-inflammatory cream that contains 100% natural active ingredients, and enriched with Vitamin E, to help assist muscle, joint and nerve pain
  

• Kunzea Concentrated Massage Oil – A highly-concentrated, soothing massage oil that has been formulated to aid with acute conditions and localised areas of discomfort throughout the body.

Who Can Benefit from Topical Products?

Topical products can be a great fit for people who:

• Experience dysphagia or swallowing disorders

• Have difficulty taking tablets or capsules due to age, disability, or neurological conditions

• Live with chronic musculoskeletal conditions and want localised relief without systemic side effects

• Experience gastrointestinal issues, nausea, or sensitivities that make oral medications problematic

• Are children with sensory challenges, aversions to taste/texture, or difficulty swallowing

• Prefer natural, non-invasive solutions over synthetic drugs

• Are on multiple medications and want to reduce the risk of drug interactions

• Are recovering from surgery or illness and require gentle, supportive care

Topical solutions offer a flexible, accessible option for managing pain, inflammation, and deficiencies, safely and effectively, without needing to ingest anything.

Empowering Choice and Safety with Zea

For people living with dysphagia or have difficulty swallowing, managing health shouldn’t come with added stress or risk. Topical products offer a safe, effective alternative to oral medications, helping support pain relief, reduce inflammation, and boost Magnesium levels without the need to swallow a thing. At Zea, we’re proud to offer natural, Australian-made solutions that make wellness more accessible to everyone.

References:

1. Cleveland Clinic. (August, 2023). Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21195‑dysphagia‑difficulty‑swallowing  

2. Leira, J., Maseda, A., Lorenzo‑López, L., Cibeira, N., López-López, R., Lodeiro, L., & Millán‑Calenti, J. C. (2023). Dysphagia and its association with other health‑related risk factors in institutionalized older people: A systematic review. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 110, Article 104991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2023.104991 

3. Shaik, M. R., Shaik, N. A., & Mikdashi, J. (2023). Autoimmune Dysphagia Related to Rheumatologic Disorders: A Focused Review on Diagnosis and Treatment. Cureus, 15(7), e41883. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41883

4. Speech Pathology Australia. (2024). Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia). https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx