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Four to six minutes later, biological death occurs.
That's when brain cells begin to die from lack of oxygen, and resuscitation is impossible. Is there a worst way to die?
But the truth is we've never known what happens right before we die. at the end of the tunnel but that doesn't prove there's life after death. The other week I was talking to a man who probably lived a good life. I told him his heart was in trouble. Told him no problem, he's in the right place. We'll put.
What happens during the dying process? Understanding the dying process may help ease fear of death. See more death pictures. How Dying Works Is there a worst way to die? Salinas and Peter A. Marchant, Jo and Lucy Middleton. March 10, http: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter. Related Content " ".
How to Treat Food Poisoning. Here are some changes that sometimes happen shortly before a person dies. Many people lose consciousness near the end of life. But they may still have some awareness of other people in the room.
The skin might look slightly blue or become mottled have different coloured blotches or patches. Limbs, hands and feet may feel colder. This is because the blood circulation is slowing down. Some people call this type of breathing the death rattle because it can happen in the last days or hours of life.
It can be upsetting or worrying for family and friends to hear the noisy breathing. As the moment of death comes nearer, breathing often slows down and becomes irregular. It might stop and then start again or there might be long pauses or stops between breaths. This is known as Cheyne-Stokes breathing. This can last for a short time or longer time before breathing finally stops.
It might be reassuring for your loved one if you speak calmly to them and hold or stroke their hand gently. Even if someone is unconscious, they may still be able to hear or feel you.
If you are alone with your loved one and would like someone else to be with you when they die or afterwards, you could call a friend or family member. You might also find it helpful to read our information about what to expect in the last weeks and days.
Caught In A Monkfish. It was like being there for centuries. I experienced something, and that something was nothing. Ironically, a loved one may also become clear-headed in their final hours. Does your life flash before your eyes? However, there is anecdotal evidence that people whose hearts have stopped but are then restarted are able to describe accurate, verified accounts of what was happening around them, Dr.
A doctor or other healthcare professional will confirm the death if breathing, the heart and circulation have stopped. They may also check the eyes and body for other signs. When a person dies, those around them may notice that their face suddenly relaxes and looks peaceful. If family and friends find the event distressing they can speak to a bereavement counsellor, who may be able to help.
When a person dies, physicians usually check for cardiac death when the heart stops beating or brain death when there is no more electrical activity in the brain , O'Connor said. If someone is a "vegetable," that means there is no more brain activity, and that life support is keeping the organs functioning. At that point, "legally, the life support is turned off because they have died," O'Connor said.
These two types of death — cardiac and brain — are used no matter how the person died. It could be a bad trauma, when someone has a lot of bleeding and then their heart stops because there isn't enough blood flow," O'Connor said. However, there is anecdotal evidence that people whose hearts have stopped but are then restarted are able to describe accurate, verified accounts of what was happening around them, Dr. These accounts have been confirmed by medical staff who were in the same room, he noted.
For additional information on the dying process, O'Connor recommended two online resources: Original article on Live Science. Additional reporting by Elizabeth Palermo. This article was originally published on Jan. As a senior writer for Live Science, Laura Geggel covers general science, including the environment and amazing animals.
Laura grew up in Seattle and studied English literature and psychology at Washington University in St. Louis before completing her graduate degree in science writing at NYU. When not writing, you'll find Laura playing Ultimate Frisbee. Many people report seeing a bright light at the end of a long dark tunnel after a near-death experience.