Off The Record
The Most Unsettling Things People Do Just Before They Pass Away Are Revealed By An End-Of-Life Nurse
A nurse who provides end-of-life care has opened up about some of the most disturbing things people do in an attempt to make their loved ones “ready” for death.
Julie McFadden has dedicated her life to attempting to ‘alleviate the dread and stigma around death’ by helping people ‘understand the process of dying’.
She has authored a book on the topic to assist people comprehend the realities of dying, and she frequently gives insights into people’s last moments in her web videos.
The ‘two most unsettling’ things that occur at the end of life were discussed by McFadden in one piece.
Changes in breathing
In her video, the nurse described how a shift in breathing pattern is one of the things that families “wished they would have known about” and how it frequently disturbs them when they are with their loved ones near the end of their lives.
McFadden emphasized that a patient is not necessarily in pain just because their breathing changes.
She continued: “You can see that chest rapidly breathing, and then a long pause […] and then rapid breathing again.”
According to the nurse, this phenomenon is known as Cheyne-Stokes breathing and is brought on by changes in the body’s metabolism.
The ‘Death Rattle’
The ‘death rattle’ is another of the most ‘disturbing’ things that loved ones have noted.
In a previous video, McFadden discussed this issue and reassured viewers that it is the “most normal thing” and that it is expected toward the end of life. She did acknowledge, though, that “it can feel like the scariest thing you’ve ever heard if you’re not used to hearing it.”
When the body produces saliva in the mouth but the brain does not instruct the body to swallow it, the death rattle happens.
Saliva consequently collects in the mouth and adheres to the breath, producing a gurgling sound.
McFadden explained: “People hear it, they don’t understand it, they automatically assume it’s coming from their lungs. That is not happening. It’s truly just a little bit of saliva.”
McFadden has stated unequivocally that the experiences are ‘not causing them anguish’ with regard to the respiratory abnormalities and the death rattle.
“This is not making them feel that they are suffocating, and we know this because the body is showing that it is relaxed,” she said.
McFadden continued by saying that although “the body is built to know how to die,” patients can be given medicine to assist them relax if they do seem to be having difficulties.
Now Trending:
- Four Expectant Fathers Walk The Hospital Corridor. A Nurse Comes Up To The First Man…
- Miss America Contestant Walks Out On Stage In Nurse Scrubs. What About When She Looks Up? My Heart Skipped A Beat
- After 43 Years, Pat Sajak’s Time As Host Of ‘wheel Of Fortune’ Has Come To An End
Please SHARE this story with Family and Friends and let us know what you think in comments!
