The same fate awaits us all: death. Despite this, it continues to be one of our worst concerns, cloaked in mystery and uncertainty.
A hospice nurse has now taken to social media to help families understand the dying process and reduce their fear of it by shedding light on some of the most disturbing things individuals do before they die.
has witnessed many fatalities
As a nurse with expertise in end-of-life care, Julie McFadden has dedicated her life to educating others about what to anticipate when a loved one is approaching death.
Through her book and online videos, the Los Angeles native, who has worked in hospice and critical care for more than 15 years, offers firsthand knowledge of the last moments of life. Removing the stigma associated with death and promoting preparedness are her goals.
I spent around eight years as an intensive care unit nurse, and I witnessed many deaths. We would discuss the possibility of patient death among ourselves as healthcare professionals, but we wouldn’t be speaking with the patients or their families. I became motivated to speak up, advocate for my patients and their families, and begin holding family meetings as a result of this,” she says.
The two most frequent yet “disturbing” phenomena that occur when someone approaches the end of their life are respiratory alterations and the notorious “death rattle,” as highlighted by McFadden in one of her most talked-about pieces.
Variations in Breathing
A sudden change in a loved one’s breathing patterns is among the most startling things family encounter at their bedside. This can be concerning, McFadden says, particularly if individuals don’t realize it’s a normal part of the process.
“You’ll notice that your breathing is rapid, followed by prolonged pauses, and then rapid again,” she explains.
As the body shuts down, metabolic processes cause this occurrence, which is called Cheyne-Stokes breathing. Usually lasting between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, the pattern repeats itself.
Despite the upsetting appearance, McFadden assures families that their loved one is not in pain.
A video of a female patient going through the procedure was posted by Ms. McFadden, who described it as a series of rapid, erratic breaths followed by a long pause. According to experts, the normal breathing rhythm is disturbed when a dying patient’s brain is unable to accurately recognize the amount of carbon dioxide in their blood.
You can see that this person is completely unconscious. They are not in pain or feeling as though they are being suffocated by this. The body is demonstrating that it is relaxed, thus we know this. Julie remarked, “It is not behaving as though it is unable to breathe.
” Second, the “Death Rattle”
The death rattle is another typical yet unnerving symptom. It is a gurgling sound that can be frightening to anyone who are not familiar with it.
The brain stops transmitting impulses to swallow saliva as the body approaches death, which causes a buildup in the mouth, according to McFadden. The air passing through the throat makes a rattling noise.
She claims that although people frequently believe it to be coming from their lungs, it’s actually just saliva building up in the mouth.
Even though the sound may be unnerving, McFadden stresses that the dying person is not in any pain or discomfort and that it is quite natural.
The body understands how to pass go.
Although these symptoms may appear unsettling, McFadden tells families that the body has a normal way of dying.
She says that if there is any indication of discomfort, drugs can make the patient feel at ease. “The body is built to know how to die,” she says.
Her point is very clear: there is no reason to be afraid of dying. Families can be more comfortable and ready to say their final goodbyes if they are aware of the procedure.
The body starts to decompose as soon as a person dies, according to research. A dying person may have a characteristic smell in their breath, skin, and bodily fluids due to changes in their metabolism; this fragrance is frequently similar to that of nail polish remover.
This process releases putrescine, a poisonous substance with a strong smell, into the atmosphere. This unpleasant odor, which is connected to decomposition, is detectable by humans subconsciously. This smell sets off an automatic reaction in the brain that is connected to the awareness of death.
