Breathing difficulties. Patients may go long periods without breathing, followed by quick breaths
Breathing difficulties are often one of the first signs that a person is approaching the end of their life. The breathing may become shallower and more irregular, and patients may go long periods without breathing, followed by quick breaths. This can be accompanied by a feeling of suffocation or gasping for air.
In some cases, the respiratory system may simply shut down altogether, causing the person to stop breathing altogether. This is known as terminal apnea and usually signals that death is imminent.
There are many other symptoms that can accompany breathing difficulties in the last days of life, including: fatigue, malaise, anxiety, insomnia, delirium (an altered state of consciousness), pain and nausea. In some cases, patients may also experience seizures or cardiac arrhythmias.
It is important to remember that each person experiences dying differently and there is no “right” way to die. Some people peacefully drift off to sleep while others experience more agitated deaths with multiple medical interventions. If you are concerned about your own death or the death of a loved one, it is important to speak with a doctor or hospice care provider about what to expect and how best to manage any symptoms that arise.
Drop in body temperature and blood pressure
As a person approaches the end of life, their body temperature and blood pressure will start to drop. This is caused by the body shutting down and preparing for death. The drop in body temperature and blood pressure can be very gradual, or it can happen very quickly. It is not always possible to predict when a person will die, but the drop in body temperature and blood pressure is usually a sign that death is imminent.
Less desire for food or drink
It is not uncommon for people to experience a decrease in appetite as they approach the end of their lives. This may be due to a number of factors, including a decrease in energy levels and an increase in pain. Some people may also find that they no longer enjoy food as much as they used to. If you are caring for someone who is nearing the end of their life, it is important to respect their wishes regarding food and drink. If they do not want to eat or drink, do not force them to do so.
Changes in sleeping patterns
As a person approaches the end of their life, they may begin to change their sleeping patterns. They may sleep more during the day and less at night. Or they may sleep for longer periods of time during the day and wake up for only short periods at night. These changes are normal and are a result of the body’s natural process of shutting down.
Confusion or withdraw
Confusion or withdrawl are often the first signs that a person is entering their final days of life. This can be accompanied by a decrease in appetite, weight loss, and increasing fatigue. The person may also begin to sleep more and have less interest in their surroundings. As the body begins to shut down, they may become less responsive to stimuli and have periods of lucidity followed by periods of unconsciousness. Eventually, the body will no longer be able to sustain itself and death will occur.