Death rattle is the scary sound a person often makes in the hours or sometimes days before death. It is fluid that accumulates in the lower throat. The person is not swallowing. The saliva and fluid in the lungs, due to lack of normal body processing (the body is shutting down and nothing works right), is accumulating in the lower part of the throat. That fluid is too deep to really be reached by a suction machine although that is the first thing we think of to get rid of it. The death rattle is not always present. Those people that have more fluid or are more hydrated as they approach death, are the ones most likely to experience this natural phenomenon.
Human beings tend to be “fix it” personality types and we particularly expect medical professionals to fix any situation. The death rattle is a normal, natural part of the dying process. It is harder on us, the watchers, than on the person who is dying. By the time a person is experiencing a death rattle they are very much removed from their bodies, generally non responsive and are busy in the process of letting go of their bodies. The congestion is part of that letting go.
For the “fix it” personalities a Scopolamine Patch is sometimes effective in reducing the secretions as is Atropine 1% drops. Generally, simply repositioning the person from side to side and keeping them off of their back will help reduce the rattle as much as anything.
What really helps is that we know that what is happening is very much a part of the normal dying process, that nothing bad is happening. It is scary because we are not used to the sound, it sounds uncomfortable and like it shouldn't be happening so we want it to stop. This is our discomfort. This is part of our fear and grief in the experience.
If we understand how the body naturally releases it’s hold on life, fear of the experience for us (the watchers) can be reduced. We can share more comfortably in the gift of being with a loved one who is dying.
Our presence at the bedside, of love, support, and touch, is the comfort that is needed during this last experience of our loved one, not medical intervention.
Something More... about The Death Rattle (medically known as Terminal Secretions)
So many families are alone in the final day, hours, minutes before their loved one dies even if they are in hospice care. We have a guide for families called The Eleventh Hour: A Caring Guideline for the Hours to Minutes Before Death. Our DVD Kit, NEW RULES for End of Life Care is helpful for families to watch as it explains what will happen when death approaches and how best to care for the dying loved one. If you know someone who is approaching death you may want to look at the End of Life Guideline Series.
64 comments
My dad has passed away two days ago . However the rattle was for days and he couldn’t communicate . I was scared for him and how he must have been feeling . Was he aware was he scared was he suffering …. I am suffering just thinking about it ?
My mom has lung cancer and has had for years. Shes getting weaker and eating and drinking less. She sleeps a lot now sometimes all day. Sometimes she can get up and do a few things around the house but it takes everything out of her. 2 weeks ago her lungs started rattling, really bad. They put her on steriods, z-packs and some kind of cough pill. They have given it two her twice now. It doesnt seem like its helping. I want to think there just slowing down the process. When my grandma had the death rattles she was dead with in a few days. She coughs but it doesnt come up. Do you think she has the death rattles? It sounds like it to me but this has been going on for two weeks now. Cancer is a epidemic now, the new plague. My daughter who was 3 passed last year from leukemia. I really hope you can answer my question and give me your thoughts. Thankyou!
Sadness, I received your comment on my blog asking about how to keep your mum comfortable. From a physical stand point elevate the bed a bit, turn her from side to side to see if either side reduces the congestion. Sometimes just positioning will ease the congestion. If she is having what appears to be difficulty breathing, oxygen may help. Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t. Rubbing her hands and feet gently is often comforting. When she is on either side gently rub her back with lotion. That is for her physically. Emotionally talk with her. Don’t expect a reply but tell her your comings and goings.ALso tell her how much she has meant to you, how much you love her, what a great mum she is. Maybe play softly music that she enjoys. Spend quiet time with her just being there, holding her hand or just sitting by the bed. This is a special time, a gift you have been given. My blessings are with you and your mum. Barbara
My mum has the rattle, this is Day 2/3. She is still communicating with little sentences but isn’t really eating or drinking. The doctors said weeks but my dad thinks it will be a matter of days. Does anyone have any advice on how to make my mum as comfortable as possible in her final days
Thanks a ton my freind!
My mum has left me when I was 3.5 yr
My grandma has taken utmost care of me and now I am 22..
She left me yesterday..
I was cursing self as I could nit help him but let him die..
But after going through it …
I feel better…
Thanks again
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