Death is the fate that awaits us all. Yet, veiled in mystery and uncertainty, it continues to rank among our worst concerns.
In an effort to assist families comprehend the dying process and reduce their anxiety, a hospice nurse has now resorted to social media to highlight some of the most disturbing things individuals do before they die.
has witnessed numerous deaths.
As a nurse who specializes in end-of-life care, Julie McFadden has made it her goal to inform people about what to anticipate when a loved one is close to passing away.
The Los Angeles native offers firsthand insights into the last moments of life through her book and online videos, having worked in hospice and critical care for more than 15 years. Her goal is to make people feel more prepared and to eradicate the shame associated with dying.
During my eight years as an intensive care unit nurse, I witnessed many deaths. Although we wouldn’t be speaking with the patients or their families, as healthcare professionals, we would discuss among ourselves the possibility that our patients may pass away. This made me want to start holding family meetings and speak up for my patients and their families,” she says.
McFadden highlights the two most prevalent but “disturbing” phenomena that occur when someone approaches the end of their life—changes in breathing and the notorious “death rattle”—in one of her most talked-about blogs.
1. Modifications to Breathing
A abrupt change in breathing patterns is one of the most startling things families encounter at the deathbed of a loved one. According to McFadden, this can be concerning, particularly if individuals are not aware that it’s a normal aspect of the procedure.
“You will observe rapid breathing, followed by extended periods of inactivity, and then rapid breathing once more,” she says.
The body’s metabolic changes during shutdown cause this phenomena, which is called Cheyne-Stokes breathing. Each cycle, which usually lasts between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, repeats itself.
McFadden reminds families that even while it may appear upsetting, it does not imply that their loved one is in pain.
Ms. McFadden showed a video of a female patient going through the procedure, explaining that it consists of a series of rapid, erratic breaths interspersed with a significant pause. According to experts, this happens when a dying patient’s brain has trouble correctly detecting blood carbon dioxide levels, which throws off their regular breathing rhythm.
As you can see, this individual is completely unconscious. They are not in pain or experiencing a sense of suffocation as a result of this. We can tell this because the body is displaying signs of relaxation. “It’s not behaving as though it’s having trouble breathing,” Julie remarked.
2. The Rattle of Death
The death rattle, a gurgling sound that can be frightening to people who are not familiar with it, is another prevalent yet unnerving sign.
According to McFadden, a buildup in the mouth occurs when the brain stops telling the body to swallow saliva as it approaches the end of life. As air passes down the throat, this produces a rattling sound.
“It’s actually just saliva building up in the mouth, but people often think it’s coming from their lungs,” she explains.
McFadden stresses that although the sound may be unnerving, it is entirely normal and does not cause pain or anguish to the dying individual.
The body is capable of dying.
McFadden informs families that the body has a natural way of dying, even though these symptoms may appear unsettling.
“The body is designed to know how to die,” she says, adding that drugs can assist the patient feel at ease if there are any indications of discomfort.
Her message is unmistakable: there is no reason to be afraid of dying. Families can say their final goodbyes with greater ease and readiness if they are aware of the procedure.
According to research, the body starts to decompose as soon as a person passes away. A dying person’s breath, skin, and bodily fluids may have a unique smell due to changes in their metabolism; this fragrance is frequently similar to that of nail paint remover.
Putrescine, a poisonous substance with a strong smell, is emitted into the atmosphere during this procedure. Humans are able to perceive this unpleasant odor, which is connected to decomposition, subconsciously. An automatic reaction connected to the recognition of death is triggered when the brain detects this scent.