Just before we die, we make a distinctive sound. What is the “death rattle”?

Death is a process that the human body informs about in various ways. One of them are disturbing sounds that interrupt the breathing of a dying person. Some call them the “death rattle”. You can get scared of it, but there are also ways to avoid it.

  1. Death is very often a process that comes in stages and has many different symptoms that mean it is near
  2. One of the signs that the end is coming is when the sick person makes gurgling noises. This is the result of fluid build-up in the throat and upper respiratory tract
  3. The “rattle of death” does not make it difficult for patients to breathe, although we can avoid it by using appropriate medications or changing the position of the dying person
  4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

When caring for a loved one whose death is expected almost at any moment, we can sometimes hear an unusual, gurgling sound in their breath. It is the effect of saliva build-up in the back of the throat and upper airways that causes the characteristic rattling noise as air flows through them. A dying person is no longer able to swallow this saliva or cough to get rid of the excess. Hence the effect of the “rattle of death”.

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The “rattle of death” depresses the dying person’s relatives

These sounds can affect people of all ages, and usually affect women. If we hear them, it is very likely a sign of impending death. Sometimes they are so quiet and fuzzy that we may not be sure if this is the symptom.

  1. How Do You Know When Death Is Coming? «Very often the patient is not ready»

People affected by the “death rattle” do not have any major problems with breathing. It is also not particularly burdensome for them, but it is certainly unpleasant and depressing for their relatives. In one of the studies reported by verywellhealth.com, at least 60 percent of respondents stated that listening to this strange sound is perceived negatively and deepens sadness because of imminent death.

How do you avoid fatal gurgling?

There are ways to dry out the excess fluid that causes it to rattle before it dies.

One of them is the use of special medications for fluid build-up, such as atropine or scopolamine. Another idea might be to change a person’s position. The death rattle can be intensified when someone is lying flat on their back. You can try placing your head higher than the rest of your body, or turning a lying person on their side to help drain fluids.

  1. The phenomenon of “life after death”. What does science say about it?

How long can it take from the appearance of the “death rattle” to the actual death? This is an individual matter and it is difficult to predict exactly. Many people wonder what else to expect at this end of life. Among the signs of imminent death are the so-called terminal anxiety in a dying person, willingness to talk about death, visions of relatives who have died before, a surprising smile or other uncharacteristic grimaces on the face.

Strong menstrual pain is not always “so beautiful” or a woman’s hypersensitivity. Endometriosis may be behind such a symptom. What is this disease and how is living with it? Listen to the podcast about endometriosis by Patrycja Furs – Endo-girl.

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