Doctor reveals terrifying sound people make just before death
Once that “noise” from the fluids begins, experts say the patient is dead within 23 hours.
What do people do when they have less than 24 hours to live? Does the body know? Does science? Dr. Paulien Moyaert, a resident physician and researcher in Belgium, explained that a particular phenomenon, known as the “death rattle,” can occur in the final moments of a person’s life.
This “rattle” isn’t always an actual scream—not in all patients. It’s more of a noise produced when a person can no longer clear their throat properly, causing fluids to build up. A person usually lives only 23 hours after this phenomenon begins. With each breath, they may emit a moaning sound, similar to snoring.
While the sound can be disturbing for those around, it doesn’t cause discomfort to the dying person. “We often administer medication to dry the airways and reduce the ‘death rattle,’ but this doesn’t improve the condition of the dying person. Changing their position to lie on their side with the head slightly elevated can also help,” he added.
According to various studies, the “death rattle” occurs in about 40% of people, or 2 in every 5 dying individuals. This sound can be reduced with medication or by repositioning the patient to drain the accumulated fluids.
Other signs of death in the body
Doctors say that days or hours before dying, patients may experience a brief surge of energy, which quickly fades. In addition to wheezing and gurgling, breathing can become irregular, the pulse weakens, and the hands and feet may become cold, purple, and mottled. In the final minutes, eyes and mouth may remain open, as breathing becomes more difficult.
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