How the Body Prepares for the Onset of Dying

The body goes through a rather remarkable process when a person is about to pass away. The process itself is rather mysterious, since nobody is really able to give an experiential account of what death feels like or what truly happens. It is important to understand this process if your family member, friend, or loved one is very close to death or worried about the dying process. You should perhaps think about discussing the way in which human bodies dies with a nurse or other medical professional so that you are equipped with the proper knowledge to discuss this highly personal and emotionally painful process.

When someone is near death their mind and physical body begins to start shutting down each system – the natural process is a long one and is in no way sudden. The changes in each bodily system are very gradual and can build up over time.

Hospice organizations such as hospice.net believe that the person may want to linger if they feel that there are any unresolved relationship issues. Hospice encourages loved ones to be accepting, supportive and comforting to help the person resolve the issues. Once those issues are resolved, the person will relax and allow the natural shutdown of their physical body.

Beginning the Process of Eternal Rest

Many people notice that their loved ones who are preparing for death begin to sleep much more than usual. The person may not wake easily, which is often scary for those who love the person. Although this sleep is abnormally sound, it is certainly not yet death or a coma. 

The body begins to process food at a slower rate, so constipation is a very common side effect of the process – as is losing control of bowel movements and urination. Although change not always predictable in the physical body as a person begins to die, you can be assured it will certainly happen. 

Changing Physical Appearance

The body begins to slow down the circulation of blood throughout the body, which means that the hands and feet of the person get very cold and numb. The skin thus begins to look more and more pale with the lowered circulation level. Only the organs are getting the normal amount of blood at the point that circulation begins to slow down. The breathing cycle might also change, with longer periods of time between breathes and more shallow breathing.

Changes In Behavior

It is not just the physical body that begins to change near the death experience, but the mental and emotional body changes, too. You might notice that the person begins to decrease their eating and drinking habits. The person might become disoriented really easily, losing their way, becoming dizzy, and getting confused.  Some people begin to forget names, places, and faces, which can also confuse the loved ones of the dying person. 

A person may become moody – either extremely giddy or weepy at any moment. If the person is withdrawn, or seems to be in a coma and unresponsive, it means that your loved one is becoming less attached to his or her surroundings.

Hearing is one of the last senses to be lost and may be present until the end of the person’s life. You can keep them comforted by holding his or her hand, introducing yourself by name, and speaking to them.  

Last Moments

A person who is dying might start making strange, repetitive decisions and decrease their socialization with other people. The person might announce how they want to spend their very last moments, either with many people, a few people, or only one loved one. Whatever the decision is, be sure to keep the person very comforted and careful. 

The body may have changed in extreme, dramatic ways over time, but the fact is, remember the person in that body, despite some of the temporary behavioral changes, is still the same. Be sure to take care to learn more about how the body prepares for the onset of dying so that you can take care of them an keep them comfortable.