The 7 Things Your Body Will Go Through Before Dying
Published December 26th, 2019
Talking about death often makes us feel uncomfortable. However, even if we deny it, we all know that death is inevitable.
All of us will have to die at some point. Our hearts will stop beating eventually, and this is the thing that we should realize. When we start to accept the facts about death, it will help us gain more closure.
If you know someone who is on their deathbed, taking care of them can be quite challenging. It is essential to know the physical signs of dying for you to understand what happens to the body and how to respond appropriately once your loved one dies.
Here are the seven things your body will go through before dying.
Loss of Appetite
The decrease in appetite for those nearing the end of their life is common. In fact, it is part of the terminal process. It might make you feel concerned, but most people who are at the end of their life prefer to take a rest instead of eating. You can give them sips of water or a moist mouth swab if you feel worried about them not eating.
Sleeping More Often
A person with a decreased appetite also means that he/she is not getting enough food to fuel up its body. This often results in drowsiness and a decline in energy levels. Thus, they often tend to sleep more and are also challenging to wake up.
Mottled Skin
Mottled skin or the skin that appears patchy and irregular in color is typical to dying people. There are other causes of why your skin has red and purple spots that create a lacy net pattern. But for people who are terminally ill, mottled skin is usually a sign that the person is close to passing.
Confusion and Restlessness
Most people who are near to passing often become restless and agitated. Their level of consciousness changes and often results in dementia-like symptoms. They often get confused and cannot tell what’s real and what’s not. Medications are usually given to reduce these problems.
Changes in Breathing Pattern
The regular breathing patterns of a dying person may also change. Some may experience a faster breathing pattern, while others have long gaps between breaths. It can also turn to a long, loud, deep breath followed by seconds of not breathing. While this may alarm you, this is usually not painful or distressing for the dying person.
Changes in Urine Output and Bowel Incontinence
A dying person will also have a decreased urine output due to the reduced amount of fluid the person is drinking. The urine usually becomes darker and saturated. A dying person may also lose control of their bladder and bowels.
Changes in Temperature
The blood flow of a dying person will begin to slow, which results in changes in the body’s temperature. The body and the extremities will start to feel cold, and this will typically occur hours before death.
Signs That Death Has Occurred
- The breathing has stopped
- No heartbeat or pulse can be felt
- The person cannot be woken up
- Eyelids are half-open
- The mouth may also be open
- Pupils are dilated
What You Should Do If Death Has Occurred
If your loved one or your family does not wish to revive the dying person anymore, then you don’t have to contact anyone or call 911. There’s no need to hurry, and you can do everything in your own time. The one thing you should not forget is to straighten the limbs of the deceased because it will stiffen after a couple of hours. You can contact the person who is in charge of the funeral arrangement until you are ready to say your goodbyes.
If the deceased has signed up to become a body donor, it’s best to inform the body donation institution immediately. Institutions like DonorCure will take care of the arrangements and related expenses for the body’s transport to their facility as well as the cost of cremation. You usually won’t have to pay for anything including the filing for a death certificate. The cremated remains are returned to the family free of cost, too.
We also do webinars for caregivers and health care professionals who want to help their patients make end-of-life decisions. Contact our team to schedule one or refer a terminal or hospice patient.
Did you like this post about the things your body will go through before dying? Check more helpful articles on our blog.
Interested In Our Company?
DonorCure is a company that connects body donors with the researchers who will use their contribution to further science and make the world a better place. Learn more about how to donate your body to science on our website and register online.
About The Author
As a nurse, Franchette Agatha Jardin firmly believes in the importance of understanding the human body and the advancement of science. She writes about what people can do for the betterment of the world and how everyone can be part of something great.
