Whether it is painful to die or not – the sensations at the moment of death. The emotional stress experienced by the dying person. Brain fog and disorientation

28.04.2019

For cancer patients late stages and people caring for such patients must be known how do they die from cancer and signs of approaching death in order to alleviate the condition of the cancer patient as much as possible and mentally prepare for his departure.

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How do people die from cancer and what are the signs that death is approaching?

Malignancy or metastasis occurs for various reasons, but there are some common precursors to care:

Increased drowsiness and progressive general weakness

As death approaches, a person's periods of wakefulness become shorter. The duration of sleep increases, which becomes deeper every day. In some clinical cases this condition transforms into a coma. Patient in comatose requires constant third-party care. The function of specialized nurses is to fulfill the physiological needs of cancer patients (nutrition, urination, turning, washing, etc.).

General muscle weakness is considered a fairly common pre-mortem symptom, which manifests itself in difficulty moving the patient. To make life easier, such people are recommended to use orthopedic walkers, wheelchairs and special medical couches. During this period, the presence of a person next to the patient who can help in everyday life is of great importance.

Respiratory disorders

No matter, How does a person die from cancer?, all patients in the terminal period of life experience periods of respiratory arrest. Such cancer patients experience heavy and wet (hoarse) breathing, which is a consequence of fluid stagnation in the lungs. Wet masses cannot be removed from the respiratory system. To improve a person's well-being, the doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy or recommend turning the patient over frequently. Such measures can only temporarily alleviate the condition and suffering of the patient.

How much does cancer treatment cost in Russia today? You can estimate the amount of the final check and consider alternative options to combat the disease.

The approach of death is accompanied by dysfunction of vision and hearing

In the last few days before death, a person very often observes visual images and sound signals that others do not feel. This condition is called hallucination. For example, dying of cancer a woman can see and hear long-dead relatives. In such cases, people caring for the patient should not argue or convince the patient about the presence of a hallucination.

Appetite and eating disorders

The approach of death is accompanied by a slowdown in metabolic processes in the body. In this regard, the cancer patient does not require large volumes of food and liquid. In a dying state, a person only needs a small amount of food to satisfy physiological needs. In some cases, it becomes impossible for a cancer patient to swallow food, and then all he needs to do is wet his lips with a damp swab.

Disorders of the urinary and intestinal systems

Most people who die of cancer develop acute renal failure in the terminal period, which is accompanied by cessation of urine filtration. In such patients, the discharge becomes brown or red. From the gastrointestinal tract, the vast majority of cancer patients experience constipation and a sharp decrease in the amount of feces, which is considered to be the result of limited consumption of food and water.

Hypo- and hyperthermia

No matter, how do they die from cancer, in patients before death there is a change in body temperature both upward and downward. and its fluctuations are associated with disruption of the brain centers that control thermoregulation.

Emotional disturbances

Depending on the temperament and character of the patient, in the terminal stage of life the patient may withdraw or be in a state of psychosis. Excessive excitability and visual hallucinations can be caused by taking narcotic analeptics. Most cancer patients begin to communicate with long-dead relatives or non-existent persons.

Such unusual human behavior alarms and frightens people who are nearby. Doctors recommend treating such manifestations with understanding and not trying to return the sufferer to reality.

Why do people die from cancer?

Late stages of cancer are characterized by the development of cancer intoxication, in which all internal organs suffer from low oxygen levels and high concentrations of toxic products. Oxygen starvation ultimately leads to acute respiratory, cardiac, renal failure. In the terminal phases of the cancer process, oncologists provide exclusively palliative treatment, which is aimed at maximizing possible elimination symptoms of the disease and improving the quality of the remaining life of the patient.

Oncological diseases are the scourge of humanity in the 21st century. As of 2018, there are a great many substances that can cause cancer (pesticides, nitrates, preservatives, dyes, flavor enhancers, spices, smoked foods, pollution atmospheric air car exhaust gases and the like). The worst thing is that malignant tumors are most often detected at the terminal, stage 4.

Symptoms of imminent death from stage 4 cancer of various localizations

Cancer can affect absolutely any organ and, accordingly, symptoms malignant tumor will be different.

Easy

At the final stage of the disease, all the symptoms of the pathology appear intensely and clearly.

Main manifestations:

  • Severe shortness of breath. The patient suffocates even in complete physical rest. The accumulated exudate interferes with the patient’s breathing, making it intermittent;
  • If the cervical group of lymph nodes is affected, it is difficult for the patient to speak;
  • Paralysis occurs due to metastases of lung cancer vocal cords. It manifests itself in hoarseness of voice;
  • The patient begins to eat poorly due to a decrease or complete absence of appetite;
  • The patient sleeps almost constantly. This condition is explained by a violation of metabolic processes in the body;
  • The patient becomes apathetic;
  • Appear mental disorders as various types amnesia, incoherence of speech, disorientation in space and time and the appearance of hallucinations, both visual and auditory;
  • When veins are compressed by metastatic foci in the mediastinum, swelling of the face and neck appears;
  • Possible development of renal failure;
  • Unbearable pain syndrome. This condition is explained by multiple metastases various organs. Such pain can only be relieved narcotic analgesics. And sometimes even they are not able to completely relieve the patient of pain.

Stomach

The clinical picture, which is typical for people with the final stage of stomach cancer, is quite bright.

For stomach cancer frequent manifestations are the following:

  • Constantly present signs of disorder of the gastrointestinal tract: heartburn, nausea, belching, vomiting, diarrhea, stool retention;
  • The patient feels fullness in the stomach after eating a small amount of food;
  • All amazed lymphatic system sick. Lymph nodes become large and sensitive (pain on palpation);
  • Stomach cancer often bleeds, so the patient typically vomits like coffee grounds and melena. Such manifestations are characteristic of gastric bleeding, since in the stomach the hemoglobin in the blood is exposed to the hydrochloric acid of gastric shock, which gives the blood a black color.
  • Pain syndrome caused by multiorgan metastasis of cancer. Gastric cancer has metastases specific to it, which will also disrupt organ function and lead to severe pain syndrome. These are metastases to structures such as the ovaries (Krukenberg metastasis), perirectal tissue (Schnitzler metastasis), to the navel (metastasis of Sister Mary Joseph), to the axillary The lymph nodes(Irish metastasis) and supraclavicular lymph nodes on the left side (Virchow metastasis).

Reference. Melena – loose stool black, indicating gastric bleeding. The closer the source of bleeding is to the terminal part of the gastrointestinal tract, the brighter color blood. Bleeding from the rectum is characterized by an admixture of scarlet blood in the stool.

Esophagus

Stage 4 esophageal cancer is severe and difficult to treat radical methods treatment.

Manifestations before death that concern a patient with stage 4 esophageal cancer:

  • Inability to swallow food due to tumor growth and the formation of multiple adhesions;
  • Constant vomiting due to difficulty passing food;
  • Enlarged, painful lymph nodes;
  • At the last stage, the tumor often grows into the trachea, which causes severe shortness of breath and hemoptysis;
  • A distinct hoarseness appears in the voice;
  • Pain syndrome.

Metastases in the brain

Use of the term "brain cancer" with medical point vision is unacceptable, as cancer is suspected malignancy from epithelial cells, while the brain and its structures consist of nerve cells– neurons that are not epithelial. Therefore, it is correct to say “malignant brain tumor.”

Clinic for advanced stage 4 malignant brain tumors:

  • Terrible headaches;
  • Impaired consciousness until the patient falls into a deep coma;
  • Neurological manifestations characteristic of the area of ​​brain damage.

Larynx

During stages 1, 2, and sometimes 3 of laryngeal cancer serious signs development of a malignant tumor, as a rule, is extremely weakly expressed. Absence symptomatic manifestations is a consequence of the fact that the tumor developing in the larynx in the early stages is small in size, and therefore does not affect the functioning of the organ.

Characteristic manifestations of stage 4 laryngeal cancer include:

  • Inability to speak normally. The voice becomes extremely hoarse. Speech is difficult;
  • The breath smells very unpleasant;
  • Hemoptysis is observed;
  • The patient suffers from a constant cough;
  • The patient is bothered by pain in the ears;
  • Due to sore throat, the patient tries to reduce the amount of food consumed;
  • Exhaustion and loss of body weight, characteristic of cancer patients, occur;
  • Constant headaches and weakness appear. The patient tries to sleep more.

Liver

The last degree of liver cancer is determined when secondary lesions are detected throughout the body in a person.

In stage 4 liver cancer, the following disorders are observed:

  • Complete disruption of digestive function;
  • Jaundice;
  • Severe anemia;
  • Constant drowsiness, fatigue;
  • Hepatic encephalopathy develops;
  • Ascites;
  • Frequent bleeding. This is caused by the breakdown of tumor tissue, disruption of the synthesis of blood clotting factors and platelet formation in the liver;
  • The functions of the organs where metastasis has occurred are impaired.

Reference. There are no nerve endings in the liver parenchyma, so if the tumor does not affect the liver capsule, then the liver will not hurt.

How not to miss oncology? What can help detect cancer? early stage? You will learn about this in this video:

How a person dies from cancer - 4 stages

When dying, a person goes through 4 stages: preagonal state, agony, clinical death and biological death.

Preagonal state

This condition is characterized by the patient's lethargy. This is due to the suppression of the activity of the central nervous system, circulatory system and respiration. Breathing becomes shallow and frequent. Because of this, the blood is not saturated with enough oxygen, and therefore cannot deliver it to the organs that need oxygen, especially the brain.

Coming oxygen starvation. The pulse becomes rapid. It has weak filling. Later it becomes thread-like. The skin becomes pale with an earthy tint. Systolic pressure decreases to 60 mmHg. Art., and diastolic is not determined at all.

Terminal pause

This stage does not always happen. During the terminal pause, breathing and heartbeat are suppressed for some time.

However, after it there is a flash of life - agony.

Death throes

This state is the last spark of life before dying. At this stage, the higher centers of the central nervous system are turned off. Life activity is supported by the bulbar structures of the brain and some centers spinal cord. Breathing becomes pathological and takes on the following types:

  • Cheyne-Stokes breathingperiodic breathing. Characterized by the onset of shallow breathing. Then the breathing movements gradually increase in depth and reach their maximum depth by the seventh inhalation. Then the depth decreases as gradually as it increased. After superficial breathing movements there is a short pause. Then the cycle repeats again;

  • Kussmaul's breathing. Characterized by constant rhythmic deep breathing movements;

  • Breath Biota is a pathological type of breathing, characterized by episodes of deep rhythmic breathing, separated by long (up to 30 seconds) pauses.

Such breathing is ensured by contraction of the muscles that provide respiratory movements of the chest. Nervous regulation breathing no longer occurs. Eventually, the muscles that regulate the inhalation and exhalation phases begin to contract synchronously and breathing stops.

The heart restores normal sinus rhythm. On large arteries you can feel the pulsation. Blood pressure begins to be determined again.

Clinical death

When respiratory and cardiac activity is completely switched off, a transitional state occurs - clinical death. The main difference between it and the biological one is its reversibility, since the central nervous system is not subject to necrotic changes.

Main characteristics of clinical death:

  • Heart failure;
  • Lack of pulsation in large arteries;
  • Respiratory movements are not detected;
  • Blood pressure cannot be measured;
  • There is no reflex activity;
  • The pupil of the eyes dilates as much as possible and does not respond to light stimulation;
  • The skin is pale in color.

If resuscitation measures are ineffective, which in the case of oncological pathologies are rarely effective, the next stage of dying begins.

Biological death

This stage is irreversible. main reason its occurrence is the death of the most important organ of the human body - the brain. At the stage of clinical death, brain cells still maintained their vital activity in conditions of terrifying hypoxia.

But every cell has its own limit. By the time biological death occurs, brain cells are no longer able to perform their functions and they die.

Pathogmonic signs of biological death:

  • "Cat's eye" The pupil acquires slit-shaped like a cat;
  • The appearance of cadaveric spots;
  • Rigor mortis;
  • Critical decrease in body temperature.

Watch a video that details the 4 stages of human death:

Psycho-emotional state of a cancer patient

During the prevalence of the Internet, all people, even without even a hint of medical education, it is known that stage 4 cancer is practically a death sentence. This is a big blow to the patient’s psyche. It is natural for deep depressive states. Patients often “go into illness.”

They lose interest in life. Their condition is quite understandable. With the fourth stage of oncology, life becomes very short and, in the end, painful. In such a situation, the support of loved ones is very important. It is necessary to help solve other pressing problems of the patient, to take him on a trip to those places where he has dreamed of going all his life.

You can please him with a trip to a festival where his favorite performers are performing, if his condition remains relatively satisfactory. The point is that you need to make it clear to the person with oncology that he is still alive and has unfinished business here.

Important! There is no need to feel sorry for the patient. On a subconscious level, he himself understands the feelings of people close to him. Also, you should not give in to happy memories of the past. They can make a cancer patient smile for a few minutes, but then he will become even more depressed and may even commit suicide.

Signs of agony before death

The clinical component of the agonal state was described above. But a person can regain consciousness during this flash of vital activity. This happens for a very short time. A person can no longer realize what is happening to him.

He has a complete lack of psyche. He will no longer understand the words spoken by the people around him, or even who is next to him. For relatives, this is a small ray of hope, but it quickly fades when death occurs.

In conclusion, I would like to note that stage 4 cancer very often cannot be treated. However, there are rare cases when it is possible to defeat cancer. As a rule, the person who will not give up and holds on tightly to life will live longer.

Of course, such a life will not be as long as that of people without the disease, but still, the longer a cancer patient can live, the more he will have time to do in the life allotted to him.

The last stage of the disease turns into real agony for him, ultimately death inevitable. Relatives who are close to a cancer patient should know what symptoms and signs characterize this period. In this way, they will be able to create the appropriate conditions for the dying person, support him and provide assistance.

Death from cancer

All cancer diseases progress in stages. The disease develops in four stages. The last fourth stage is characterized by the occurrence of irreversible processes. At this stage, it is no longer possible to save the person.

The last stage of cancer is the process in which cancer cells begin to spread throughout the body and infect healthy organs. A fatal outcome at this stage cannot be avoided, but doctors will be able to alleviate the patient’s condition and slightly prolong his life. The fourth stage of cancer is characterized by the following signs:

  • the occurrence of malignant tumors throughout the body;
  • damage to the liver, lungs, brain, esophagus;
  • the occurrence of aggressive forms of cancer, such as myeloma, melanoma, etc.).

The fact that the patient cannot be saved at this stage does not mean that he will not need any therapy. On the contrary, properly selected treatment will allow a person to live longer and significantly alleviate his condition.

Symptoms that occur before death

Oncological diseases affect different organs, and therefore, signs of imminent death can be expressed in different ways. However, in addition to the symptoms characteristic of each type of disease, there are general signs that may occur in a patient before death:

  1. Weakness, drowsiness. The most characteristic sign of impending death is constant fatigue. This occurs because the patient's metabolism slows down. He constantly wants to sleep. Don't bother him, let his body rest. During sleep, the sick person rests from pain and suffering.
  2. Decreased appetite. The body does not need a lot of energy, so the patient does not feel the desire to eat or drink. There is no need to insist and force him to eat.
  3. Difficulty breathing. The patient may suffer from lack of air, wheezing and heavy breathing.
  4. Disorientation. Human organs lose their ability to function normal mode, so the patient becomes disoriented in reality, forgets basic things, and does not recognize his family and friends.
  5. Immediately before death, a person's limbs become cold, they may even acquire a bluish tint. This happens because blood begins to flow to vital organs.
  6. Before death, cancer patients begin to develop characteristic signs on their legs. venous spots, the reason for this is poor blood circulation. The appearance of such spots on the feet signals imminent death.

In general, the process of death from cancer occurs sequentially in several stages.

  1. Predagonia. At this stage, significant disturbances in the activity of the central nervous system are observed. Physical and emotional functions decline sharply. The skin turns blue, blood pressure drops sharply.
  2. Agony. At this stage, oxygen starvation occurs, as a result of which breathing stops and the blood circulation process slows down. This period lasts no more than three hours.
  3. Clinical death. There is a critical decrease in the activity of metabolic processes, all body functions suspend their activity.
  4. Biological death. The vital activity of the brain stops, the body dies.

Such death symptoms characteristic of all cancer patients. But these symptoms can be supplemented by other signs, which depend on which organs are affected by cancer.

Death from lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common of all oncological diseases illness. It is practically asymptomatic and is detected very late, when it is no longer possible to save the person.

Before dying from lung cancer, the patient experiences unbearable pain when breathing. The closer death is, the stronger and more painful the pain in the lungs becomes. The patient does not have enough air and feels dizzy. An epileptic attack may begin.

Liver cancer

The main cause of liver cancer is liver cirrhosis. Viral hepatitis is another disease that leads to liver cancer.

Death from liver cancer is very painful. The disease progresses quite quickly. In addition, pain in the liver area is accompanied by nausea and general weakness. The temperature rises to critical levels. The patient experiences excruciating suffering before the onset of imminent death from liver cancer.

Esophageal carcinoma

Esophageal cancer is very dangerous disease. At the fourth stage of esophageal cancer, the tumor grows and affects all nearby organs. That's why pain symptoms can be felt not only in the esophagus, but even in the lungs. Death can occur from exhaustion of the body, since a patient suffering from esophageal cancer cannot take food in any form. Nutrition is provided only through a tube. Eat regular products Such patients will no longer be able to.

Before death, everyone suffering from liver cancer experiences great agony. They vomit violently, most often with blood. Sharp pain in the chest causes discomfort.

Last days of life

Patients with the fourth stage of cancer are usually not kept within the walls of the hospital. Such patients are sent home. Before death, patients take strong painkillers. And yet, despite this, they continue to experience unbearable pain. Death from cancer may be accompanied by intestinal obstruction, vomiting, hallucinations, headaches, epileptic seizures, and hemorrhages in the esophagus and lungs.

By the time the last stage occurs, almost the entire body is affected by metastases. The patient is supposed to sleep and rest, then pain torments him in to a lesser extent. The care of loved ones is very important for a dying person at this stage. It is the close people who create for the patient favorable conditions, which at least briefly ease his suffering.

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Signs of imminent death of a patient

It is not customary to talk about death out loud in our time. This is a very sensitive topic and not for the faint of heart. But there are times when knowledge is very useful, especially if there is a cancer patient or a bedridden elderly person at home. After all, this helps to mentally prepare for the inevitable end and notice the changes taking place in time. Let's discuss together the signs of death of a patient and pay attention to their key features.

Most often, signs of imminent death are classified into primary and secondary. Some develop as a consequence of others. It is logical that if a person begins to sleep more, then he eats less, etc. We will look at all of them. But, cases may be different and exceptions to the rules are acceptable. The same as options for a normal median survival rate, even with a symbiosis of terrible signs of a change in the patient’s condition. This is a kind of miracle that happens at least once in a century.

What signs of death do you know?

Changing sleep and wake patterns

Discussing initial signs As death approaches, doctors agree that the patient has less and less time to stay awake. He is often immersed in light sleep and seems to be dozing. This saves precious energy and reduces pain. The latter fades into the background, becoming, as it were, background. Of course, the emotional side suffers greatly. The paucity of expression of one’s feelings, the self-isolation of the desire to remain silent more than to speak leave an imprint on relationships with others. The desire to ask and answer any questions, to be interested in everyday life and the people around you disappears.

As a result, in advanced cases patients become apathetic and detached. They sleep almost 20 hours a day unless there is acute pain or serious irritating factors. Unfortunately, such an imbalance threatens stagnant processes, mental problems and accelerates death.

Swelling

Very reliable signs death is swelling and the presence of spots on the legs and arms. We are talking about malfunctions in the kidneys and circulatory system. In the first case of oncology, the kidneys do not have time to cope with toxins and they poison the body. At the same time, metabolic processes, the blood is redistributed unevenly in the vessels, forming areas with spots. It is not for nothing that they say that if such marks appear, then we are talking about complete dysfunction of the limbs.

Problems with hearing, vision, perception

The first signs of death are changes in hearing, vision and normal sensation of what is happening around. Such changes can occur against the background of severe pain, cancer, blood stagnation or tissue death. Often, before death, you can observe a phenomenon with the pupils. The eye pressure drops and when pressed you can see how the pupil is deformed like a cat's.

Regarding hearing, everything is relative. He can recover in last days life or even worsen, but this is more agony.

Reduced need for food

When a cancer patient is at home, all her loved ones note the signs of death. She gradually refuses food. First, the dose decreases from a plate to a quarter of a saucer, and then the swallowing reflex gradually disappears. There is a need for nutrition through a syringe or tube. In half of the cases, a system with glucose and vitamin therapy is connected. But the effectiveness of such support is very low. The body tries to use up its own fat reserves and minimize waste. This makes it worse general state the patient becomes drowsy and has difficulty breathing.

Urinary problems and problems with natural needs

It is believed that problems with going to the toilet are also signs of approaching death. No matter how funny it may seem, in reality there is a completely logical chain in this. If defecation is not carried out once every two days or with the regularity to which a person is accustomed, then feces accumulate in the intestines. Even stones can form. As a result, toxins are absorbed from them, which seriously poison the body and reduce its performance.

It's about the same story with urination. It's harder for the kidneys to work. They allow less and less fluid to pass through and eventually the urine comes out saturated. It contains a high concentration of acids and even blood is noted. A catheter can be installed for relief, but this is not a panacea for general background unpleasant consequences for a bedridden patient.

Problems with thermoregulation

Natural signs before the death of a patient are impaired thermoregulation and agony. The limbs begin to get very cold. Especially if the patient has paralysis, then we can even talk about the progress of the disease. The blood circulation decreases. The body fights for life and tries to maintain the functioning of the main organs, thereby depriving the limbs. They may turn pale and even become blue with venous spots.

Weakness of the body

Signs near death Everyone's may be different depending on the situation. But more often than not, it's about severe weakness, weight loss and general fatigue. A period of self-isolation begins, which is aggravated by internal processes of intoxication and necrosis. The patient cannot even raise his arm or stand on a duck for natural needs. The process of urination and defecation can occur spontaneously and even unconsciously.

Foggy mind

Many see signs of approaching death in the way they disappear. normal reaction patient on the world around him. He can become aggressive, nervous, or vice versa – very passive. Memory disappears and attacks of fear may occur due to this. The patient does not immediately understand what is happening and who is nearby. The areas in the brain responsible for thinking die. And obvious inadequacy may appear.

Predagonia

This is a defensive reaction of all vital necessary systems in organism. Often, it is expressed in the onset of stupor or coma. The main role is played by regression of the nervous system, which causes in the future:

Decreased metabolism

Insufficient ventilation of the lungs due to breathing problems or alternating rapid breathing with stopping

Serious damage to organ tissue

Agony

Agony is usually called a clear improvement in the patient’s condition against the background of destructive processes in the body. Essentially, these are the last efforts to maintain the necessary functions for continued existence. May be noted:

Improved hearing and restored vision

Establishing a breathing rhythm

Normalization of heart contractions

Restoring consciousness in the patient

Muscle activity like cramps

Decreased sensitivity to pain

The agony can last from several minutes to an hour. Usually, she seems to foreshadow clinical death when the brain is still alive, and oxygen ceases to flow into the tissues.

These are typical signs of death in bedridden people. But you shouldn’t dwell too much on them. After all, there may be another side of the coin. It happens that one or two such signs are simply a consequence of an illness, but they are completely reversible with proper care. Even a hopelessly bedridden patient may not have all these signs before death. And this is not an indicator. So, it is difficult to talk about mandatory rules, as well as to impose death sentences.

Signs of imminent death in a cancer patient

The one who encountered serious illness, feels in a difficult situation. It’s also difficult for his friends and family. Of course, modern medicine is located on high level, however, some situations can be changed through pills, operations, etc. already unrealistic.

It happens that a cancer patient anticipates his death, thinks, perhaps dreams, and can accurately determine the time period when the irreparable will happen, without telling anyone, so as not to upset them even more.

In order to be able to personally monitor the condition, it is useful for relatives and friends to know not only the signs of a cancer patient’s imminent death, but also what is hidden behind the ornate statements of the treating staff.

Signs of imminent death of a person with cancer - what are they?

Professional medical staff They know that even with seemingly successful treatment, which is not accompanied by frequent manifestations of cancer, the patient dies. Even innovative anti-cancer drugs that are produced and released in countries with developed medicine are becoming useless in resisting a cruel disease.

The deterioration of the condition, as well as the possible impending death of a seriously ill person, can be traced to the following factors (most often they are observed in combination):

  • loss of appetite;
  • fatigue;
  • incredible apathy (moral and physical);
  • nervous breakdowns;
  • difficult breathing;
  • sudden fluctuations in weight;
  • ensuring your own isolation;
  • difficulty urinating;
  • disruption of vascular activity;
  • rapid freezing.

Each of them is discussed separately. Difficulties eating food take priority. Refusal or extremely unexpected loss of habits. Now he likes fish, and a day later he completely turns away from it.

This is explained by the fact that the need to eat food disappears, and an ever smaller share of the energy that a healthy person is used to getting from food is spent. Meat is removed from the diet. The fact is that it is difficult for an organism weakened by a serious illness to digest it. Because of this, many doctors switch to cereals and increase the consumption of increased amounts of liquid: juices, broths, compotes. At the moment when the patient can no longer independently swallow what is in his mouth, those close to him, unfortunately, can prepare for the worst ending.

Fatigue, weakness and breakdowns can be added and collected into a single aspect, since they develop simultaneously, which is quite natural. Caused by nothing more than exhaustion. The rest develops on the basis of this. It is difficult for the patient to move even short distances. The defining stage in the development of the above is a disorder of the central nervous system. There is a loss in space when the dying person forgets the people and the place where he was located more than once.

The dying person gives up and decides that there is no reason or strength to cope. From this point, a neurologist and a psychologist are connected, whose work is aimed at motivation and further fight against the disease. If you do not take these actions, the seriously ill patient will definitely give up.

If we are talking about breathing problems, then you need to study Cheyne-Stokes syndrome. Thus, they indicate that they mean intermittent and superficial inhalations and exhalations, which deepen and then return to their original character. This cycle is repeated more than once. Then it becomes complicated by developing wheezing and acquires a permanent appearance.

Changes in weight are characteristic and quite logical precisely because of the difficulties that arise. Therefore, they rarely stop at this point. The efforts of those around them and their determination to provide drinking water are commendable. But there must be an understanding that all the signs of death of a cancer patient are interconnected.

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The closer the inevitable outcome is, the more the sick person strives to be alone with himself and get as much sleep as possible. This may be perceived as normal. This is explained by psychological and physical reasons. He doesn't want his family to see him weak. There is no desire to provoke anyone’s pity or indignation at the fact that care will need to be adjusted.

The urine takes on a strange color - red or dark brown. This is due to the fact that practically no fluid enters the body, and the kidneys, which serve as a filter, slow down their functioning.

Problems with blood vessels are reflected in regular swelling and blue spots, which are commonly called venous spots. The skin turns pale, which leads to easy display of veins and even small capillaries. Edema appears due to the fact that the body is deprived of natural filtration.

The last sign is considered to be a decrease in body temperature. Blood begins to rush towards the heart and vital organs in order to increase its lifespan. When your feet and fingers get cold in a second, the end is near.

What do we have to do?

Of course, loved ones do not agree to accept this outcome. Although medications cannot always completely cope with the tragedy, there are still ways.

As for the loss of interest in food, the caregiver will need to be patient. It is prohibited to use coercive force, and even more so to show irritability and hostility. You can occasionally offer water, fruit drinks, fresh juices, etc. That's what it's wise to keep an eye on, so that your lips don't dry out. While a person refuses to drink, it is necessary to at least lubricate them with balm or a damp cloth.

The advice regarding fatigue is much the same. You must not disturb sleep, forcibly awaken the patient, or artificially prolong the period of wakefulness.

Fatigue also cannot be influenced by force. There is no need to worry a person unnecessarily. Still, there is no reason for this. All you can do is increase comfort and try to give him a rest, increase the dose of joyful emotions and organize a good environment around him.

Increased sensitivity of the nervous system requires a special approach. It makes sense to invite an experienced psychologist. He must be friendly. Indicative for him will be meetings with those people who were able to defeat cancer. The main thing is to be able to motivate to continue the struggle, which will certainly end in success. And disorientation can be solved in this way - when visiting, a caring person needs to repeat his name, do not show aggression and try to express himself too softly. The same applies to the desire for isolation - do not interfere and introduce additional negativity. Gentle and calm intonations will help to gradually return the patient to the social environment.

Breathing will be restored special exercises. They are performed under the supervision of a professional support worker. A change in position is rational. Turning on its side is the best solution to the problem.

Vascular dysfunction, swelling and rapid freezing can be included in one list. They are fought against with a massage or a warm blanket.

But relatives should know that all of the above are, unfortunately, signs of a cancer patient’s imminent death and it is not always possible to win the battle against them.

It is important to know:

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Hello, my dad has cancer prostate gland, now he has fallen ill, has not eaten anything for 10 days (only water and tea 2 times a day), urine flows by itself (he does not feel that he is urinating), black stool, shortness of breath (there was water in the lungs, they pumped it out in January), in intestines strong rumbling(as he himself says, it’s as if soda was poured into his intestines), he vomits bile 2-4 times a day, his complexion is pale yellow, he has lost a lot of weight... Doctors refuse to come. .Can you tell me how much longer he will suffer? He refuses pills.

Hello! My daughter is 9 years old, she has a brain tumor and metastases in abdominal cavity. Also vomiting, black stool. It's better now. Contacted alternative medicine, drink herbal tinctures and special water. Look on the Internet for Doctor Tai, Petr Alekseevich Shablin. If you have anything please email me

alcohol tinctures?

Beetroot enemas. Herbal decoctions. carrot juice freshly squeezed

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The information on the site is presented for informational purposes only! Apply the described treatment methods and recipes cancer diseases It is not recommended to do it on your own and without consulting a doctor!

None of us can predict exactly when death will occur. However, doctors and nurses who deal with seriously ill people know that the approach of death is accompanied by certain symptoms.

Signs of impending death vary from person to person, and not all of the symptoms listed below are “must haves.” But there is still something in common.

1. Loss of appetite

The body's need for energy becomes less and less. A person may begin to resist eating and drinking or only eat certain foods (for example, cereal). First of all, a dying person refuses meat, since it is difficult for a weakened body to digest it. And then even the most favorite foods no longer cause any appetite. At the end of his life, it happens that the patient is even physically unable to swallow what is in his mouth.

You cannot force feed a dying person, no matter how worried you may be that he does not eat. You can periodically offer the patient some water, ice or ice cream. To prevent his lips from drying out, moisten them with a damp cloth or moisturize them with lip balm.

2. Excessive fatigue and drowsiness

On the verge of death, a person begins to sleep atypically a lot, and it becomes increasingly difficult to wake him up. Metabolism slows down, and insufficient food and water intake contribute to dehydration of the body, which turns on the defense mechanism and goes into hibernation. The patient cannot be denied this - let him sleep. You shouldn't push him so that he finally wakes up. What you say to a person in such a state, he may well hear and remember, no matter how deep the sleep may seem. In the end, even in a coma, patients hear and understand the words that are addressed to them.

3. Physical weakness

Due to loss of appetite and the resulting lack of energy, the dying person is unable to do even the simplest things - for example, he cannot roll over on his side, raise his head, or suck in juice through a straw. All you can do is try to provide him with maximum comfort.

4. Brain fog and disorientation

Organs begin to fail, including the brain. A person may stop understanding where he is and who is next to him, start talking nonsense, or rush around the bed. At the same time, you need to remain calm. Every time you approach a dying person, you should call yourself by name and speak to him extremely gently.

5. Difficulty breathing

The breathing of dying people becomes intermittent and uneven. They often experience the so-called Cheyne-Stokes breathing: shallow and rare respiratory movements gradually become deeper and longer, weaken and slow down again, then a pause follows, after which the cycle repeats. Sometimes the dying person wheezes or breathes louder than usual. You can help in such a situation by raising his head, putting an extra pillow, or sitting him in a semi-lying position so that the person does not fall over on his side.

6. Self-isolation

As vitality fade away, a person loses interest in what is happening around him. He may stop talking, answer questions, or simply turn away from everyone. This is a natural part of the dying process and not your fault. Show the dying person that you are there by simply touching him or taking his hand in yours, if he does not mind, and talk to him, even if this conversation is your monologue.

7. Urinary problems

Since little water enters the body, and the kidneys are working worse and worse, the dying person really “walks little”, and concentrated urine has a brownish or reddish tint. This is why hospices often place a catheter in a terminally ill patient’s last days of life. Due to kidney failure, the amount of toxins in the blood increases, which contributes to the dying person’s quiet fall into a coma and a peaceful death.

8. Leg swelling

When the kidneys fail, body fluids, instead of being excreted, accumulate in the body - most often in the legs. Because of this, many people swell before death. Nothing can be done here, and it makes no sense: swelling is a side effect of approaching death, and not its cause.

9. “Icing” of the tips of the fingers and toes

A few hours or even minutes before death, blood is drained from peripheral organs to support vital ones. For this reason, the limbs become noticeably colder than the rest of the body, and the nails may take on a pale or bluish tint. A warm blanket will help provide comfort to the dying person; you need to cover him loosely with it so as not to create a feeling of being swaddled.

10. Venous spots

A characteristic “pattern” of purple, reddish or bluish spots appears on pale skin - the result of poor circulation and uneven filling of the veins with blood. These spots usually appear first on the soles and feet.

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Signs that a person is approaching death

If you are dying or caring for someone who is dying, you may have questions about what the dying process will be like physically and emotionally. The following information will help you answer some questions.

Signs of approaching death

The process of dying is as diverse (individual) as the process of birth. Impossible to predict exact time death, and how exactly the person will die. But people facing death experience many of the same symptoms, regardless of the type of illness.

As death approaches, a person may experience some physical and emotional changes, such as:

A dying person may experience other symptoms depending on the disease. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect. You can also contact the program for helping the hopelessly ill, where all your questions regarding the dying process will be answered. The more you and your loved ones know, the more prepared you will be for this moment.

As death approaches, a person sleeps more and it becomes more and more difficult to wake up. Periods of wakefulness are becoming shorter and shorter.

As death approaches, your caregivers will notice that you are unresponsive and that you are in very deep sleep. This condition is called coma. If you are in a coma, you will be tied to your bed and all your physiological needs(bathing, turning, feeding and urinating) will need to be supervised by someone else.

General weakness is a very common occurrence as death approaches. It is normal for a person to need assistance with walking, bathing, and going to the toilet. Over time, you may need help turning over in bed. Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walker or hospital bed can be of great help during this period. This equipment can be rented from a hospital or care center for the terminally ill.

As death approaches, periods rapid breathing may be followed by periods of breathlessness.

Your breath may become wet and congested. It is called " death rattle" Changes in breathing usually happen when you are weak and normal discharge your airways and lungs cannot escape.

Although noisy breathing may be a signal for your family, you will probably not feel pain and notice stagnation. Since the fluid is deep in the lungs, it is difficult to remove it. Your doctor may prescribe oral tablets(atropines) or patches (scopolamine) to reduce congestion.

Your loved ones may turn you on your other side to help the discharge come out of your mouth. They can also wipe this discharge with a damp cloth or special tampons (you can ask for it at a help center for the hopelessly ill or buy it at pharmacies).

Your doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy to relieve your shortness of breath. Oxygen therapy will make you feel better, but will not prolong your life.

Visual impairment is very common in last weeks life. You may notice that your vision has become difficult. You may see or hear things that no one else notices (hallucinations). Visual hallucinations are common before death.

If you are caring for a dying person who is hallucinating, you need to reassure them. Acknowledge what the person sees. Denying hallucinations can be distressing to a dying person. Talk to the person, even if he or she is in a coma. It is known that dying people can hear even when they are in a deep coma. People who came out of comas said that they could hear the entire time they were in the coma.

Hallucinations are the perception of something that is not actually there. Hallucinations can involve all the senses: hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting or touching.

The most common hallucinations are visual and auditory. For example, a person may hear voices or see objects that another person cannot see.

Other types of hallucinations include gustatory, olfactory and tactile.

Treatment for hallucinations depends on the cause.

As death approaches, you are likely to eat and drink less. It's connected with general feeling weakness and slow metabolism.

Since food has such important social significance, it will be difficult for your family and friends to watch you not eat. However, changes in metabolism mean that you do not need the same amount of food and fluid as before.

You can consume small amounts of food and liquid as long as you are active and able to swallow. If swallowing is a problem for you, you can prevent thirst by moistening your mouth with a damp cloth or a special swab (available at a pharmacy) soaked in water.

Often the kidneys gradually stop producing urine as death approaches. As a result, your urine turns dark brown or dark red. This is due to the inability of the kidneys to properly filter urine. As a result, the urine becomes very concentrated. Its quantity is also decreasing.

As appetite decreases, some changes also occur in the intestines. The stool becomes harder and more difficult to pass (constipation) as the person takes in less fluid and becomes weaker.

You should tell your doctor if you have bowel movements less than once every three days or if your bowel movements cause you discomfort. Stool softeners may be recommended to prevent constipation. You can also use an enema to cleanse your colon.

As you become increasingly weak, it is natural that you will have difficulty controlling your bladder and bowels. They may put it in your bladder urinary catheter as a means of continuous drainage of urine. The terminally ill program may also provide toilet paper or underwear (they can also be purchased at the pharmacy).

As death approaches, the area of ​​the brain responsible for regulating body temperature begins to function poorly. You may have heat, and in a minute you will feel cold. Your hands and feet may feel very cold to the touch and may even become pale and blotchy. Changes in skin color are called mottled skin lesions and are very common in the last days or hours of life.

The person caring for you can monitor your temperature by rubbing your skin with a wet, slightly warm washcloth or giving you the following medications:

Many of these medications are available in the form of rectal suppositories if you have difficulty swallowing.

Just as your body prepares physically for death, you must prepare for it emotionally and mentally.

As death approaches, you may lose interest in the world around you and individual details Everyday life, such as date or time. You may withdraw into yourself and communicate less with people. You may only want to communicate with a few people. This kind of introspection can be a way of saying goodbye to everything you knew.

In the days before your death, you may enter a unique state of conscious awareness and communication that may be misinterpreted by your family and friends. You can talk about how you need to go somewhere - “go home” or “go somewhere.” The meaning of such conversations is unknown, but some people think that such conversations help prepare for death.

Events from your recent past may be mixed with distant events. You can remember very long ago events in great detail, but not remember what happened an hour ago.

You may be thinking about people who have already died. You may say that you heard or saw someone who has already died. Your loved ones may hear you talking to the deceased person.

If you are caring for a dying person, you may be upset or frightened by this strange behavior. You may want to bring your loved one back to reality. If this kind of communication is bothering you, talk to your doctor to better understand what's going on. Your close person may fall into a state of psychosis, and it may be scary for you to watch. Psychosis occurs in many people before death. It may have one cause or be the result of several factors. Reasons may include:

Symptoms may include:

Delirium tremens can sometimes be prevented by using alternative medicine, such as relaxation and breathing techniques, and other methods that reduce the need for sedatives.

Palliative care can help you relieve physical symptoms associated with your illness, such as nausea or difficulty breathing. Controlling pain and other symptoms is an important part of your treatment and improving your quality of life.

How often a person feels pain depends on their disease. Some fatal diseases, such as bone cancer or pancreatic cancer, can be accompanied by severe physical pain.

A person can be so afraid of pain and others physical symptoms that he may be thinking about physician-assisted suicide. But the pain before death can be effectively dealt with. You should tell your doctor and loved ones about any pain. There are many medications and alternative methods (such as massage) that can help you cope with the pain of death. Be sure to ask for help. Ask a loved one to tell the doctor about your pain if you are unable to do so yourself.

You may want your family not to see you suffer. But it is very important to tell them about your pain if you cannot bear it so that they see a doctor immediately.

Spirituality means a person's awareness of the purpose and meaning of his life. It also denotes a person’s relationship with higher powers or the energy that gives life meaning.

Some people don't think about spirituality often. For others, it is part of everyday life. As you approach the end of your life, you may be faced with your own spiritual questions and challenges. Connecting with religion often helps some people achieve comfort before death. Other people find solace in nature, in social work, strengthening relationships with loved ones or creating new relationships. Think about what can give you peace and support. What questions concern you? Seek support from friends, family, programs, and spiritual guides.

Caring for a dying relative

Physician-assisted suicide refers to the practice of medical professionals assisting a person who voluntarily chooses to die. This is usually done using an assignment lethal dose medicines. Although the doctor is indirectly involved in the death of a person, he is not the direct cause of it. Oregon is currently the only state to have legalized physician-assisted suicide.

A person with a terminal illness may consider suicide with the assistance of a physician. Among the factors that can cause such a decision are severe pain, depression and fear of dependence on other people. A dying person may consider himself a burden to his loved ones and not understand that his loved ones want to provide him with their help as an expression of love and sympathy.

Often, a person with a terminal illness will consider suicide with the assistance of a physician when their physical or emotional symptoms are not addressed. effective treatment. Symptoms associated with the dying process (such as pain, depression or nausea) can be controlled. Talk to your doctor and family about your symptoms, especially if your symptoms bother you so much that you think about dying.

Control of pain and symptoms at the end of life

At the end of life, pain and other symptoms can be managed effectively. Talk to your doctor and loved ones about the symptoms you are experiencing. Family is an important link between you and your doctor. If you yourself cannot communicate with a doctor, your loved one can do this for you. There is always something that can be done to relieve your pain and symptoms so that you feel comfortable.

There are many painkillers available. Your doctor will choose the easiest and most atraumatic drug to relieve pain. Usually applied first oral medications, as they are easier to take and less expensive. If you don't have sharp pain, painkillers can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. These include drugs such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. It is important to stay ahead of your pain and take your medications as scheduled. Irregular use of medications is often the cause of ineffective treatment.

Sometimes pain cannot be controlled with over-the-counter medications. In this case, more effective forms of treatment are needed. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers such as codeine, morphine, or fentanyl. These medications can be combined with others, such as antidepressants, to help you get rid of your pain.

If you cannot take the pills, there are other forms of treatment. If you have trouble swallowing, you can use liquid medications. Medicines can also be in the form of:

Many people who suffer from severe pain fear that they will become dependent on painkillers. However, addiction rarely occurs in terminally ill people. If your condition improves, you can slowly stop taking the medicine to prevent dependence.

Painkillers can be used to manage the pain and help keep it at a tolerable level. But sometimes painkillers make you drowsy. You can only accept a large number of medications and, accordingly, endure a little pain in order to remain active. On the other hand, maybe weakness doesn't matter to you. of great importance and you are not bothered by drowsiness caused by certain medications.

The main thing is to take medications on a specific schedule, and not just when “the need arises.” But even if you take medications regularly, you may sometimes feel severe pain. These are called "breakthrough pain." Talk to your doctor about what medications you should always have on hand to help manage breakthrough pain. And always tell your doctor if you stop taking your medicine. Sudden cessation may cause serious side effects and severe pain. Talk to your doctor about ways to relieve pain without using drugs. Alternative medical therapy can help some people relax and get rid of pain. You can combine traditional treatment With alternative methods, such as:

For more detailed information, see section Chronic pain

During the period when you are learning to cope with your illness, short-term emotional stress is normal occurrence. Depression that lasts more than 2 weeks is no longer normal and should be reported to your doctor. Depression can be treated even if you have a terminal illness. Antidepressants in combination with counseling from a psychologist will help you cope with emotional distress.

Talk to your doctor and family about your emotional distress. Although feelings of grief are a natural part of the dying process, this does not mean you have to endure severe emotional pain. Emotional suffering can make physical pain worse. They can also have a negative impact on your relationships with loved ones and prevent you from saying goodbye to them properly.

As death approaches, you may experience other symptoms. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you may experience. Symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, constipation or shortness of breath can be managed with medication, special diets and oxygen therapy. Have a friend or family member describe your symptoms to a doctor or emergency services worker. It can be helpful to keep a journal and write down all your symptoms.

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Cancer is very serious disease, which is characterized by the appearance of a tumor in the human body that grows rapidly and damages nearby human tissues. Later, the malignant tumor affects the nearest lymph nodes, and metastases occur at the last stage, when cancer cells spread to all organs of the body.

The terrible thing is that at stages 3 and 4, cancer treatment for some types of oncology is impossible. Because of this, the doctor can reduce the patient’s suffering and slightly prolong his life. At the same time, he is getting worse every day due to the rapid spread of metastases.

At this time, the patient's relatives and friends should roughly understand exactly what symptoms the patient is experiencing in order to help survive the last stage of life and reduce his suffering. In general, those dying from cancer due to complete damage by metastases experience the same pain and ailments. How do people die from cancer?

Why do people die from cancer?

Cancer occurs in several stages, and each stage is characterized by more severe symptoms and damage to the body by the tumor. In fact, not everyone dies from cancer, and it all depends on at what stage the tumor was discovered. And here everything is clear - the earlier it was found and diagnosed, the more chances for recovery.

But there are still many factors, and even stage 1 or even stage 2 cancer does not always provide a 100% chance of recovery. Since cancer has many properties. For example, there is such a thing as the aggressiveness of malignant tissues - the higher this indicator, the faster the tumor itself grows, and the faster the stages of cancer occur.

The mortality rate increases with each stage of cancer development. The largest percentage is at stage 4 - but why? At this stage cancer tumor It is already enormous in size and affects nearby tissues, lymph nodes and organs, and metastases spread to distant corners of the body: as a result, almost all tissues of the body are affected.

At the same time, the tumor grows faster and becomes more aggressive. The only thing doctors can do is reduce the growth rate and reduce the suffering of the patient himself. Usually chemotherapy and radiation are used, then the cancer cells become less aggressive.

Death with any type of cancer does not always occur quickly, and it happens that the patient suffers for a long time, which is why it is necessary to reduce the patient’s suffering as much as possible. Medicine cannot yet fight advanced stage cancer, so the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better.

Causes of the disease

Unfortunately, scientists are still struggling with this question and cannot find an exact answer to it. The only thing that can be said is that there are a combination of factors that increase the chance of getting cancer:

  • Alcohol and smoking.
  • Junk food.
  • Obesity.
  • Bad ecology.
  • Working with chemicals.
  • Incorrect drug treatment.

In order to at least somehow try to avoid cancer, you must first monitor your health and undergo regular examinations with a doctor and take a general and biochemical analysis blood.

Symptoms before death

That is why the correct treatment tactics, chosen at the last stage of the disease, will help reduce pain and illness for the patient, as well as significantly prolong life. Of course, each oncology has its own signs and symptoms, but there are also common ones, which begin immediately at the fourth stage, when almost the entire body is affected by malignant formations. How do cancer patients feel before death?

  1. Constant fatigue. This happens because the tumor itself takes a huge amount of energy and nutrients for growth, and the larger it is, the worse it is. Let's add metastases to other organs here, and you will understand how difficult it is for patients in the last stage. The condition usually worsens after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. At the very end, cancer patients will sleep a lot. The most important thing is not to disturb them and let them rest. Subsequently, deep sleep can develop into a coma.
  2. Appetite decreases. The patient does not eat because general intoxication occurs when the tumor produces a large amount of waste products into the blood.
  3. Cough and difficulty breathing. Often, metastases from any organ cancer damage the lungs, causing swelling of the upper body and coughing. After some time, it becomes difficult for the patient to breathe - this means that the cancer has firmly settled in the lung.
  4. Disorientation. At this moment, there may be memory loss, the person ceases to recognize friends and relatives. This happens due to metabolic disorders with brain tissue. Plus, there is severe intoxication. Hallucinations may occur.
  5. Blue discoloration of extremities. When the patient’s strength becomes low and the body tries with all its might to stay afloat, the blood mainly begins to flow to the vital organs: heart, kidneys, liver, brain, etc. At this moment, the limbs become cold and acquire a bluish, pale tint. This is one of the most important harbingers of death.
  6. Spots on the body. Before death, spots appear on the legs and arms due to poor circulation. This moment accompanies the approach of death. After death, the spots become bluish.
  7. Muscle weakness. Then the patient cannot move and walk normally, some can still move slightly but slowly to the toilet. But the majority of them lie down and move around.
  8. Coma state. It may come suddenly, then the patient will need a nurse who will help, wash and do everything that the patient cannot do in such a condition.

The dying processand main stages

  1. Predagonia. Central nervous system disorder. The patient himself does not feel any emotions. The skin on the legs and arms turns blue, and the face becomes earth-colored. The pressure drops sharply.
  2. Agony. Due to the fact that the tumor has already spread everywhere, oxygen starvation occurs and the heartbeat slows down. After some time, breathing stops, and the blood circulation process slows down greatly.
  3. Clinical death. All functions are suspended, both the heart and breathing.
  4. Biological death. The main sign of biological death is brain death.

Of course, some cancers may have characteristic features, we told you exactly about big picture death due to cancer.

Symptoms of brain cancer before death

Brain tissue cancer is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. It doesn’t even have its own tumor markers, which can be used to determine the disease itself. Before death, the patient feels severe pain in a certain place of the head, he may see hallucinations, memory loss occurs, he may not recognize his family and friends.

Constant change of mood from calm to irritated. Speech is impaired and the patient may utter all sorts of nonsense. The patient may lose vision or hearing. In the end, motor function is impaired.


Last stage of lung cancer

Develops initially without any symptoms. Recently, oncology has become the most common among all. The problem is precisely the late detection and diagnosis of cancer, which is why the tumor is discovered at stage 3 or even stage 4, when it is no longer possible to cure the disease.

All symptoms before death of stage 4 lung cancer relate directly to breathing and bronchi. Usually the patient has difficulty breathing, he constantly gasps for air, he coughs violently with heavy discharge. At the very end, an epileptic seizure may begin, which will lead to death. Terminal stage Lung cancer is very nasty and painful for the patient.

Liver cancer

When a liver tumor is affected, it grows very quickly and damages inner fabrics organ. The result is jaundice. The patient feels severe pain, the temperature rises, the patient feels sick and vomits, and there is difficulty urinating (the urine may contain blood).

Before death, doctors try to reduce the suffering of the patient himself with medications. Death from liver cancer is very difficult and painful with a lot of internal bleeding.


Bowel cancer

One of the most unpleasant and most severe oncological diseases, which is very difficult at stage 4, especially if a little earlier an operation was performed to remove part of the intestine. The patient feels severe pain in the abdomen, headache, nausea and vomiting. This is due to severe intoxication from tumors and retained feces.

The patient cannot go to the toilet normally. Since at the last stage there is also damage to the bladder and liver, as well as the kidneys. The patient dies very quickly from poisoning with internal toxins.


Esophageal carcinoma

The cancer itself affects the esophagus, and in the final stages the patient can no longer eat normally and eats only through a tube. The tumor affects not only the organ itself, but also nearby tissues. Metastasis spreads to the intestines and lungs, so pain will appear throughout the chest and abdomen. Before death, the tumor may cause bleeding, causing the patient to vomit blood.

Laryngeal cancer before death

A very painful disease when the tumor affects all nearby organs. He feels severe pain and cannot breathe normally. Usually, if the tumor itself completely blocks the passage, the patient breathes through a special tube. Metastases spread to the lungs and nearby organs. Doctors prescribe large amounts of painkillers at the end.

Last days

Usually, if the patient wishes, the patient’s relatives can take him home, and he is prescribed and given strong drugs and painkillers that help reduce pain.

At this moment, you need to understand that the patient has very little time left and you need to try to reduce his suffering. At the very end, additional symptoms may appear: vomiting blood, intestinal obstruction, severe pain in the abdomen and chest, coughing up blood and shortness of breath.

At the very end, when almost every organ is affected cancer metastases, it is better to leave the patient alone and let him sleep. The most important thing is that at this moment there are relatives, loved ones, close people next to the patients, who will reduce pain and suffering by their presence.

How to alleviate the suffering of a dying person?

Often the patient's pain can be so severe that conventional medications do not help. Improvement can only come from narcotic substances, which are given by doctors for cancer diseases. True, this leads to even greater intoxication and quick death for the patient.

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Unfortunately, after life there always comes death. Now science is unable to prevent old age and its inevitable fatal consequences. To family and friends seriously ill patients you need to be prepared for this. What does a bedridden patient experience before death? How should caregivers respond to signs of impending death? We will talk about this below.

Phases of Death

There are several phases of a person's condition that occur before his death. Signs of the first stage (“pre-active phase”) can begin 2 weeks before the terrible event. During this period, the patient begins to consume less food and liquid than usual, pauses in breathing occur, wound healing worsens, and swelling appears. Also, the patient may claim imminent death and report that he has seen dead people.

Then follow these phases:

  • clinical death (signs of vital activity disappear, but metabolic processes still occur in the cells);
  • biological death (almost complete cessation of physiological processes in the body);
  • final death (final phase).

Signs of approaching death

Signs of death in a bedridden patient may be different in each case. There are several main ones:


Certain diseases cause specific symptoms. Thus, signs of death in a cancer patient often manifest themselves in the form of pain, nausea, confusion, anxiety and shortness of breath (with a stroke, such symptoms are less common).

It should also be noted that low blood pressure or prolonged cessation of respiratory movements (or if the bedridden patient is constantly sleeping) are not reliable indicators of imminent death in all cases. Some patients with these symptoms may suddenly recover and survive for a week, a month, or even more. Only God knows when death will occur.

How to behave correctly with a loved one

What should family and friends do if they see signs of approaching death? It is always very difficult to talk to a dying person. There is no need to give false promises and hopes of recovery. Tell the patient that his last wishes will be fulfilled. He should not think that anything is being hidden from him. If a person wants to talk about life and its last moments, he needs to do this, and not try to hush up the topic and say something detached. Before death, let the patient know that he is not alone, say words of consolation.

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