Julie McFadden, a seasoned hospice nurse from Los Angeles, California, has shed light on two unexpected changes in the breathing patterns of dying patients.
With over 15 years of experience in intensive care and hospices, she now uses social media to share her insights about death, including the sudden respiratory changes that often catch families by surprise.
In a Tiktok video, McFadden highlights one of the most significantly ‘disturbing’ aspects associated with end-of-life care — a breathing pattern known as Cheyne-Stokes respiration.
@hospicenursejulie #greenscreenvideo what terminal secretions ACTUALLY sound like. #hospicenursejulie #terminalsecreations #deathrattle ##education##endoflifecare ♬ original sound – 💕 Hospice nurse Julie 💕
This involves a series of rapid breaths followed by a prolonged pause. Experts suggest that this occurs due to a delay in the dying patient’s brain’s ability to detect levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, disrupting the normal pace of breathing.
Despite the alarming appearance, McFadden emphasizes that this does not cause the patient any discomfort.
“This person, as you can see, is fully unconscious. This is not causing them suffering, it is not making them feel like they are suffocating,” she explains in her video.
She further highlights that by the time such changes in breathing occur, patients are typically fully unconscious.
McFadden goes on to detail a second disturbing but common occurrence during the dying process – the death rattle.
This is characterized by a gurgling or wet breath sound triggered by air passing through fluid building up in the mouth as someone breathes.
Despite its distressing sound, she assures it does not cause any pain to the patients who are usually unconscious by this stage.
The body’s normal process of subconsciously clearing mucus from the mouth breaks down towards the end of life, leading to saliva accumulation and causing this rattling sound during final breaths.
McFadden’s videos have been praised by social media users for raising awareness about these aspects of death and dying, with many wishing they had known these facts prior to losing their loved ones.
A hospice is a specialized service dedicated to caring for terminally ill patients. Hospice services can be provided at dedicated facilities or through regular home visits, catering to patient’s needs and wishes.
Patients may enter hospice care upon diagnosis or at different times during their terminal illness, depending on their condition’s nature.
The insights shared by McFadden are invaluable in shedding light on the often misunderstood process of dying.
This knowledge may help families of terminally ill patients better understand and prepare for the end of life, reducing the shock and distress associated with witnessing these unsettling changes in their loved ones.
The issue McFadden raises is particularly pertinent in the context of an aging population.
With advancements in medical technology, people are living longer, and many will eventually require end-of-life care. The need for clarity and openness about the dying process is therefore more critical than ever.
The reaction to McFadden’s videos indicates a significant gap in awareness about the dying process among the general public.
The gratitude expressed by users who have experienced loss underscores the importance of this kind of information being readily available.
It suggests there is a need for more public education around end-of-life care, helping to demystify death and provide comfort to those dealing with terminal illnesses in their families.
Moreover, McFadden’s approach of using social media to educate about such a sensitive topic reflects a broader trend towards digital health education.
As healthcare professionals increasingly leverage online platforms to share their knowledge, it expands the potential for public understanding and acceptance of complex health issues, such as end-of-life care.
In a society often uncomfortable with discussing death, McFadden’s transparency offers a much-needed perspective on end-of-life care.
By demystifying the dying process, she not only provides comfort to those dealing with the impending loss of a loved one, but also sparks a crucial conversation about the realities of death and dying.
It’s clear that there is a significant need for continued dialogue and education in this area, and healthcare professionals like McFadden are leading the way.
The question remains: how can we further break down the barriers around discussing death and ensure that families are adequately prepared for this challenging yet inevitable part of life?
As we seek to answer this, it’s worth remembering McFadden’s reassuring words: “The body is built to know how to die and has built-in mechanisms to help it do that.”
Ultimately, greater understanding can lead to less fear, less shock, and potentially, a more peaceful end-of-life experience for patients and their families. This is an essential topic that deserves our attention, our understanding, and our compassion.
