The Science Behind What the Body Experiences in Its Final Moments

Summary:

• Medical insights into the body’s end-of-life processes include circulation slowing, breathing pattern changes, and hormonal shifts.

• Physiological changes like reduced circulation, altered breathing, and diminished appetite are part of the body’s shutting down process.

• Researchers are studying brain activity near death, sensory changes, and the gradual stoppage of organ functions.

It is one of the biggest mysteries in life, what happens to the body when it is nearing the end. Although death may be very personal and in many cases emotional, science does provide an insight into the physiological processes that go on as organs slow down and systems start shutting down. Medical practitioners and researchers have researched these changes to improve end-of-life care by understanding them better.

Circulation Begins to Slow

The blood circulation is reduced as the heart becomes weak. There is a decrease in blood pressure and body parts such as hands and feet might be cooler because of the decreased supply of oxygen. The skin can either be pale or mottled due to uneven circulation.

Breathing Patterns Change

Breathing tends to get abnormal. Others have a form of bursts of breathing and breaks, which is also referred to as Cheyne-Stokes respiration. These alterations are indicative of the alteration in the coordination of the brain and lungs when the body turns into a conservation machine.

Diluted are Appetite and Thirst

The body loses its hunger and thirst. The body needs energy in digestive processes and as the systems are slowed down, there is a diminished sense of hunger and thirst. This is a normal physiological process of shutting the body.

Hormonal and Chemical Modifications

Endorphins are some of the chemicals that the brain releases and this can produce the feeling of being relaxed or with less pain. It has been proposed that some surges of brain activity may happen near death, on a short-term basis, although studies on this matter are still being conducted.

Sensory Shifts

It is a popular opinion that hearing is one of the final senses to be weakened. Although one seems to be unattentive, he or she might be able to hear voices or other familiar sounds. Sight and touch are usually lost at an earlier age.

The Organ Function Sluggishly Stops

Kidneys will be less effective in the production of urine and liver functions will be slow. Organs start to shut down and this happens in order as the oxygen level gets less. The heart ultimately ceases beating which terminates circulation.

The Brain’s Final Activity

The brain waves are known to be associated with temporary spurts of activity when the brain is nearing the end of life. Researchers are still investigating the possibility of this activity having to do with awareness or being the end electrical processes of the brain.