But itвЂ™s unlikely to be painful or distressing for the person themselves. It can be upsetting or worrying for family and friends to hear these noises. You can ask the doctor or nurse what else might help вЂ“ they might suggest medicines or gentle suction. It usually happens in the last days or hours of life.Д¬hanging the position that your family member or friend is sitting or lying in can help with this. This may be because they arenвЂ™t coughing or clearing their airways. Some peopleвЂ™s breathing may become loud if mucous has built up in their throat and airways. The doctor or nurse may give medicine for breathlessness or advise practical steps to help, like having a fan in the room or opening a window. It can be worse if the person is anxious, so helping them feel relaxed and reassured may help. Some people experience this throughout their illness while others experience it in the last weeks, days and hours of life. Some people feel breathless or short of breath. Speak to the doctor or nurse about what can help. Some medicines can also cause trouble passing urine. It can help to talk to the doctor, nurse, and your loved one about what is needed and who should provide this care.Д¬onstipation can be caused by medicines, moving less, and eating and drinking less. Some people use a catheter (a small tube that drains urine into a bag). If theyвЂ™re less mobile, they might use pads and wipes. If someone is able to move around, they may be able to use a commode (portable toilet). Ask the doctor or nurse what they would suggest to help with this. There are ways to make sure comfort and dignity are maintained as much as possible. Near the end of life, some people lose control of their bladder or bowels as their muscles relax. Their doctor or nurse can look at whether extra nutrition or fluids are needed and talk about the advantages and disadvantages of giving these. If someone is expected to die within hours or days, this is unlikely to help them live longer or make them feel better, and it can cause other problems.

People sometimes ask about having food or drink through a tube if someone is unable to swallow. This is normal and they shouldnвЂ™t be forced. Some people donвЂ™t want to eat or drink or arenвЂ™t able to at the end of their life. People who have problems chewing might prefer to eat soft, high-calorie foods such as ice cream and yoghurt. If the person feels thirsty and has problems swallowing, taking small sips, trying different cups, sucking on ice chips or swabbing their mouth might help. The people around the person can help them to eat and drink if they want to and feel able to. Some people have difficulty swallowing, a sore or dry mouth, or feel sick. Tastes can change and people wonвЂ™t always need to eat at the same times every day. Wanting to eat or drink less is natural as the body uses less energy. People can be kept comfortable by making practical changes like using blankets or opening a window. Feeling hot or coldДЇeeling hot or cold happens because the body isnвЂ™t regulating temperature as well as it used to. At this stage, lots of help is needed with things like washing, eating and going to the toilet. Needing to sleep more than usual is normal. Some people need to spend more time in a chair or in bed as everyday activities become too tiring. Speak to the personвЂ™s doctor or nurse if you are worried or would like more information about what to expect. This can be caused by their illness or by certain medicines.Д¬hanges in appearance can be upsetting for people who are ill as well as the people around them. Some people gain weight or have swelling or puffiness, sometimes called oedema (fluid build-up). This can be caused by their illness, treatments or loss of appetite. ItвЂ™s common for people to lose weight and muscle and look thin or frail. ItвЂ™s difficult to predict what will happen, but knowing some of the possibilities provides a chance to think ahead and prepare. The symptoms that someone has might depend on their illnesses, their general health and wellbeing, and treatments theyвЂ™ve had or are having.

And they can also be caused by other things, particularly if someone has just one or two changes. When someoneвЂ™s dying, the body slows down and shows signs that the person is approaching the end of their life. Why do changes happen at the end of life? DonвЂ™t be afraid to ask them if youвЂ™d like more information - palliative care doctors and nurses are there to support you, as well as the person who is ill. Your loved oneвЂ™s doctors and nurses should be able to give you information about what changes might happen at the end of life. Palliative care doctors and nurses are experts in looking after people who have a terminal illness (an illness that they will die from). It may be reassuring to know that most problems can be managed with good palliative care. Learning about these changes can make the future seem less frightening and make you feel more prepared.

Curie Drivers Ed Hours