Hospice nurse candidly reveals the ‘scary things’ that happen to your body when you die: ‘Death is messy’
A hospice nurse has revealed the scary things that can happen to your body when you’re about to die – and also detailed the various items you should have on hand if your loved one is about to pass away.
Julie McFadden41, is a registered nurse based in Los Angeles who specializes in hospice care – and has a follow social media of millions by sharing insights to help destigmatize the process of ‘death and dying’.
She recently took to YouTube to talk about the things that happen to the body when your heart stops beating.
In the viral video, Julie explains why people tend to poop, foam at the mouth and scream in their last moments of life, before sharing the different things you should have when you’re by the side of your beloved remains.
A hospice nurse has revealed the scary things that can happen to your body when you’re about to die, as she outlined the different items you should keep on hand
Julie McFadden, 41, is a registered nurse based in Los Angeles who specializes in hospice care — and has built millions of social media followers by sharing insights
In a viral video, Julie explained why people tend to poop, foam at the mouth and scream in their last moments of life
She said, “THis body can do strange things to the end of life, which can scare many people folks, so let me explain why that is what’s happening and what we can do about it.’
The hospice nurse explained that there are several things in your body that help keep fluid down.
“So we all have sphincter muscles in our bodies that hold back fluids, so actually in our stomach there are a lot of fluids that help break down food, those things that are still being produced while someone is dying.”
“It does slow down a bit, but depending on someone’s disease – what someone is dying from – sometimes more is produced,” she explained.
Julie noticed that when you are about to die, the sphincter muscles open, causing fluid to come up.
“And that’s why when people take their last breath and die, some people will have a bowel movement,” she explained.
Julie added: ‘Another thing people may see coming out of someone’s mouth and nose is frothy saliva.’
She noted that if your loved one foams or releases fluid at the mouth, you should place them at a 90-degree angle or turn them on their side.
Julie noticed that when you are about to die, the sphincter muscles open, causing fluid to come up
The Los Angeles-based nurse has been providing hospice care for more than 15 years
The hospice nurse then listed the various other things people do when they are about to die.
“The ones I can think of are grinding teeth, grunting, screaming or like a scream – a final scream, making a face that looks like they’re screaming, but nothing comes out that looks like a silent scream,” she added to.
“Death is messy,” she said.
At the end of the clip, the hospice nurse shared the different items you should have on hand when sitting next to a loved one when they are near death.
She noted that you should have a sponge to clean their face – especially around their mouth for moisture – which she noted doctors will provide you with, underpads and dark towels to clean up any mess.
This isn’t the first time Julie has spoken out about the end-of-life tendencies she’s witnessed.
Last year she delved into ‘visions about the end of life’ and how eerily ‘logical’ the exchanges surrounding them can be.
‘They are usually functional and logical and ask me: ‘Why am I seeing my deceased mother, are you seeing her?’ she said.
Later this year, Julie will also release a book titled Nothing to Fear, billed as a “comforting and informative guide that demystifies our end-of-life journey.”