Everyone will face the reality of birth, old age, sickness and death, which cannot be avoided. Whether it's due to natural aging and dying, or shortened lifespan due to the effects of disease, there are often signals that are relevant when the body is about to leave this world.
If we can keep up to date with these changes and know which are the signs of imminent departure, we can be there for the patient and be mentally prepared to avoid being scrambling. So, what are the characteristics of a patient before he or she dies?
1.Back to light
Flashback is when the patient briefly regains consciousness and appears active before death, usually hours or minutes before death. This state may be manifested as sudden awakening, speaking or making movements, etc., which often makes family members and medical staff misunderstand that the patient has **, but in fact this state is only temporary.
The cause of the return is not well understood, but it may be related to the secretion of hormones in the patient's body. When the body is close to death, hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine are released in large quantities, causing the patient to have a stimulant-like reaction, resulting in a return to light.
While the return to light is short-lived, it is a very precious moment for patients and their families. This is a short time for family members to say goodbye to the patient and express their love. Healthcare workers can also provide better care and relief to patients during this time.
2.Talk about traveling, talk about parting, talk about some things from the past
Before dying, the patient will often talk about the things in his past days, which are the things he remembers deeply, and in the course of the conversation, he will definitely say that if he is going to travel far away, and then some things that he can not rest assured, if the person he cares about is not present, he will definitely explain to the people around him.
3.Delirium
Before the end of life, some patients will lose various body functions, such as hearing or seeing things clearly, and the response to the outside world is very poor, and they seem to be drowsy.
4.The body is soft
Some elderly people will be in a soft state before they die, without strength to support, especially on the neck, they will be in a state of slumping, and there is no way to stand up.
5.The heart beats slowly
In the last stages of a person's life, the heart begins to slow down its rhythm and slow down its beat. This is because the metabolism and function of the body's organs and tissues begin to decline, requiring less oxygen and nutrients. At this time, the heart gradually loses its elasticity and strength, and cannot maintain a normal heart rate and intensity.
A patient's heart beat slows before they die, which usually means they are about to die. This process can last for hours or days, depending on the person.
Family members and medical staff should pay attention to the patient's physical changes, especially the changes in heartbeat, so that the final care can be done. During this process, the family can take some measures to ease the patient's discomfort and pain, such as helping the patient adjust his posture, massage, etc.
A patient's heartbeat slows before dying also requires family members and medical staff to be psychologically prepared to better cope with the patient's departure and their own grief.
Everyone goes through the process of dying, and some patients are still "happy" in the last moments, they may be able to sleep very well, and even pass away quietly in their sleep, which is reluctant, but it is not a good thing compared to people who have been suffering from illness all year round.
And when it comes to this topic, euthanasia has to be mentioned. There are many people who want to leave the world in this way, but this system has not yet been implemented in our country, why is that?
Why is euthanasia not currently practiced in our country?
It can be analyzed from the following 3 reasons:
Clause. First, the traditional concept is deep-rooted, everyone feels that "it is better to die than to live", for some old people, if there is still a glimmer of hope, the younger generations are willing to try their best to rescue, even if there is the last breath left, but the patient himself.
Clause. Second, the conditions for implementation are not easy to define, the medical level varies greatly in many places, and everyone is not particularly aware of the definition of euthanasia, as well as the standards and cognition, and it is difficult to define this standard.
Finally, euthanasia is actually a negative psychological hint to the patient's relatives, although everyone is very concerned about this topic, but it has to be said that the implementation and legalization of euthanasia still have a long way to go.
Do people know that they are dead when they die?
A study published in the British "Sun" newspaper pointed out that when a person dies, even if the heart stops beating, the brain is still awake and can clearly realize that he has died.
The researchers interviewed 140 patients who had a "near-death experience," and 55 of them said they still had perceptible consciousness or memories at the time of cardiac arrest. But the participants in this study were eventually rescued, so it remains to be seen whether the people who actually died will be conscious.
Take care of the dying elderly and give you 3 suggestions
First of all, the elderly before dying may have some physical discomfort, such as pain, taking care of the elderly before dying needs to minimize the pain of the elderly, and some painkillers can be used under the guidance of a doctor.
Secondly, we should try to accompany the elderly on their deathbed as much as possible. The elderly may be afraid and anxious before dying, and at this time they need relatives to accompany them more and comfort the elderly.
Finally, try to fulfill the wishes of the dying elderly. Ask the dying elderly person if they have any wishes or want to eat, and try to satisfy the elderly person.
Death has been an unavoidable fate throughout the long history of mankind. When our loved ones and friends are dying, there are some characteristics that occur in their bodies. A warning that they are about to leave this world.
Weakened breathing, decreased body temperature, slowed heartbeat, return to light, and speech impairment are common features of a patient on his or her deathbed. When we notice these changes, don't panic, stay there for them, and send them warmth and love.