Characteristic

Nearing death, the body generally undergoes various changes that are usually seen physically. It is important to know the signs, so that families and people who are left behind can be better prepared mentally. In practice though, accepting the fact that your loved one will leave you immediately will never make you ready.

However, by knowing their physical characteristics, you and your family can perform treatments that can relieve it when your loved one experiences it.

Signs of a person's physical changes before death

Not all people who die experience these characteristics, especially those who die suddenly. However, these characteristics are common signs that usually occur in people who are near death.

Changes to the heart and circulatory system

1. Blood flow slows down

Due to the problem with blood flow, the skin will appear freckled and change color. Bluish spots and discoloration of the skin visible on the upper part of the body, i.e. from the hips to the head, are more of a sign of death than the changes seen in the lower part of the body.

If you see this characteristic, try to provide care for the affected skin, for example by applying a moisturizer. In addition, you can also ask if your loved one has any discomfort so that you can take appropriate treatment according to the complaint.

2. Decreased blood flow in the cerebral brain

This condition causes a person to experience a decrease in the level of consciousness. In addition, this condition also makes a person feel sleepy continuously and sometimes experience disorientation (dazed). If your loved one experiences this, then let him rest. However, keep an eye on his condition, who knows he needs help.

3. Decrease in cardiac output and volume of fluid in blood vessels

In this condition a person sometimes experiences tachycardia, or a heart rate that is above normal while resting. If a normal person beats 60-100 beats per minute, then a person who has tachycardia generally has more than 100 beats per minute. In addition, this condition also results in a person experiencing hypotension or low blood pressure which can result in organ failure.

Decreased function of the urinary system

In this condition, a person may experience urinary incontinence (wetting the bed). You need to keep your loved ones clean and dry. Wear diapers to avoid changing trousers too frequently, which might make them uncomfortable.

Change in appetite

1. Do not want to eat

In this condition, usually people who are seriously ill will experience a decrease in their appetite for food and drink. This will result in weight loss and dehydration. If someone experiences this, don't force him to eat or drink. However, still monitor your food and fluid intake to keep it fulfilled.

2. Having trouble eating

Usually a person in this situation will experience some difficulties while eating such as not swallowing food, choking, and coughing after eating. The solution, you can give your loved one soft food or food that has been mashed so that the food is easier to digest.

Skin changes

1. Changes to the skin can include spots or discoloration

Usually, dark red or greenish patches appear on the back of the arm or leg. You need to keep the sheets clean and dry to keep the skin clean. In addition, you can also apply lotions recommended by doctors to relieve these symptoms.

2. Decubitus sores

Decubitus sores are pain points that appear on the body due to too much pressure on a certain area. Red spots that appear on the bony prominences are the first sign of pressure sores. Relieve pressure on the wound by tilting the patient's body can be a solution. If your loved one has increased pain or discomfort with changing positions, you can ask him which position he is comfortable with.

Respiratory system disorders

1. There is retention of secretions in the pharynx or upper respiratory tract

Usually characterized by a noisy breath sound even though you are not having a cough. Sleeping with your head tilted can be one solution. You can also put a small, soft pillow behind the neck to prop his head up.

2. Shortness of breath

If your loved one experiences this, then you can give oxygen as a breath aid.

3. Experiencing cheyne-stokes respirations

This term is used to describe a very irregular breathing pattern. Sometimes the breath can be very deep and fast, but then it can be very shallow and slow. Even someone who experiences this condition can experience stopping breathing for some time. Often times this condition lasts between 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Directing a fan that is not too strong towards the patient can help relieve symptoms. Families also need to know that this condition is normal in critical times before death.

Changes that occur as a whole when a person is in the near death phase

Overall, a person who is in this phase will look very weak and tired. As a result, the person will sleep for a longer period of time. In addition, a person will also experience confusion with time, the environment, even the people closest to him. Sometimes, even the patient can look like a person who is in a coma.

Not infrequently, someone who is in this phase will also say that he met people who have died or visited unfamiliar places that other people don't usually see. The family may think that this is just a hallucination due to a drug reaction. However, it is important to be aware that this condition is normal.