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Terminal Secretions
A death rattle is noisy breathing that often occurs in someone dying, near death. Accumulation of fluids such as saliva and bronchial secretions in the throat and upper airways is the cause. Those who are dying may lose their ability to swallowing, swallow and may have increased production of bronchial secretions, resulting in such an accumulation. Usually, two or three days earlier, symptoms of approaching death can be observed, such as saliva accumulating in the throat, difficulty taking even a spoonful of water, shortness of breath, and rapid chest movement. While a death rattle is a strong indication that someone is near death, it can also be produced by other problems that cause interference with the swallowing reflex, such as brain injuries. It is sometimes misinterpreted as the sound of the person choking to death or gargling. Notably, death rattle is a separate phenomenon from agonal respiration, ataxic respiration, and Kussmaul breathing, Kussmaul respiration. Timing ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dying Valentine
Dying is the final stage of life which will eventually lead to death. Diagnosing dying is a complex process of clinical decision-making, and most practice checklists facilitating this diagnosis are based on cancer diagnoses. Signs of dying The National Cancer Institute in the United States advises that the presence of some of the following signs may indicate that death is approaching: * Drowsiness, increased sleep, and/or unresponsiveness (caused by changes in the patient's metabolism). * Confusion about time, place, and/or identity of loved ones; restlessness; visions of people and places that are not present; pulling at bed linens or clothing (caused in part by changes in the patient's metabolism). * Decreased socialization and withdrawal (caused by decreased oxygen to the brain, decreased blood flow, and mental preparation for dying). * Decreased need for food and fluids, and loss of appetite (caused by the body's need to conserve energy and its decreasing ability to us ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ataxic Respiration
Ataxic respirations, also known as Biot's respirations or Biot's breathing, is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by variable tidal volume, random apneas, and no regularity. It is named for Camille Biot, who characterized it in 1876. Biot MC. Contribution a l'étude du phénomène respiratoire de Cheyne-Stokes. Lyon Med. 1876;23:517-528, 561-567. Biot's respiration is caused by damage to the medulla oblongata and pons due to trauma, stroke, opioid use, and increased intracranial pressure due to uncal or tentorial herniation. Often this condition is also associated with meningitis. In common medical practice, Biot's respiration is often mistaken for Cheyne–Stokes respiration, part of which may have been caused by them both being described by the same person and subtle differences between the types of breathing. Ataxic respirations were discovered by Dr. Camille Biot in the late 19th century as he wrote multiple papers analyzing subtle differences in Cheyne-Stokes r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Death
Death is the end of life; the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose shortly after death. Some organisms, such as '' Turritopsis dohrnii'', are biologically immortal; however, they can still die from means other than aging. Death is generally applied to whole organisms; the equivalent for individual components of an organism, such as cells or tissues, is necrosis. Something that is not considered an organism, such as a virus, can be physically destroyed but is not said ''to die'', as a virus is not considered alive in the first place. As of the early 21st century, 56 million people die per year. The most common reason is aging, followed by cardiovascular disease, which is a disease that affects the heart or blood vessels. As of 2022, an estimated total of almost 110 billion humans have died, or rou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is a public research university in Johnson City, Tennessee. It was historically part of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee under the Tennessee Board of Regents, but since 2016, the university has been transitioning to governance by its own board of trustees. , it is the fourth largest university in the state and has off-campus centers in nearby Kingsport, Elizabethton, and Sevierville. ETSU is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". It hosts the James H. Quillen College of Medicine which is often ranked as one of the top schools in the United States for rural medicine and primary care education; the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, and the recently formed College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. Unique programs include an accredited program in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music, America's lone master's ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
End-of-life Care
End-of-life care is health care provided in the time leading up to a person's death. End-of-life care can be provided in the hours, days, or months before a person dies and encompasses care and support for a person's mental and emotional needs, physical comfort, spiritual needs, and practical tasks. End-of-life care is most commonly provided at home, in the hospital, or in a long-term care facility with care being provided by family members, nurses, social workers, physicians, and other support staff. Facilities may also have palliative or hospice care teams that will provide end-of-life care services. Decisions about end-of-life care are often informed by medical, financial and ethical considerations. In most developed countries, medical spending on people in the last twelve months of life makes up roughly 10% of total aggregate medical spending, while those in the last three years of life can cost up to 25%. Medical Advanced care planning Advances in medicine in the last ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Agonal Respiration
Agonal respiration, gasping respiration, or agonal breathing is a distinct and abnormal pattern of breathing and brainstem reflex characterized by gasping labored breathing and is accompanied by strange vocalizations and myoclonus. Possible causes include cerebral ischemia, hypoxia (inadequate oxygen supply to tissue), or anoxia (total oxygen depletion). Agonal breathing is a severe medical sign requiring immediate medical attention, as the condition generally progresses to complete apnea and preludes death. The duration of agonal respiration can range from two breaths to several hours of labored breathing. The term is sometimes inaccurately used to refer to labored, gasping breathing patterns accompanying organ failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, septic shock, and metabolic acidosis. End-of-life inability to tolerate secretions, known as the death rattle, is a different phenomenon. Etymology Agonal stems from the word agony, which denotes a struggle. As s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anticholinergic
Anticholinergics (anticholinergic agents) are substances that block the action of the acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter at synapses in the central nervous system, central and peripheral nervous system. These agents inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system by selectively blocking the binding of ACh to its receptor in nerve cells. The nerve fibers of the parasympathetic system are responsible for the involuntary movement of Smooth muscle tissue, smooth muscles present in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, lungs, sweat glands, and many other parts of the body. In broad terms, anticholinergics are divided into two categories in accordance with their specific targets in the central and peripheral nervous system and at the neuromuscular junction: antimuscarinic agents and antinicotinic agents (ganglionic blockers, neuromuscular blockers). The term "anticholinergic" is typically used to refer to antimuscarinics that competitively inhibit the binding of ACh to muscarinic a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
IV Fluids
Intravenous therapy (abbreviated as IV therapy) is a medical technique that administers fluids, medications and nutrients directly into a person's vein. The intravenous route of administration is commonly used for rehydration or to provide nutrients for those who cannot, or will not—due to reduced mental states or otherwise—consume food or water by mouth. It may also be used to administer medications or other medical therapy such as blood products or electrolytes to correct electrolyte imbalances. Attempts at providing intravenous therapy have been recorded as early as the 1400s, but the practice did not become widespread until the 1900s after the development of techniques for safe, effective use. The intravenous route is the fastest way to deliver medications and fluid replacement throughout the body as they are introduced directly into the circulatory system and thus quickly distributed. For this reason, the intravenous route of administration is also used for the consumpt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kussmaul Breathing
Kussmaul breathing is a deep and labored breathing pattern often associated with severe metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) but also kidney failure. It is a form of hyperventilation, which is any breathing pattern that reduces carbon dioxide in the blood due to increased rate or depth of respiration. In metabolic acidosis, breathing is first rapid and shallow but as acidosis worsens, breathing gradually becomes deep, labored and gasping. It is this latter type of breathing pattern that is referred to as Kussmaul breathing. Terminology Adolf Kussmaul referred to breathing when metabolic acidosis was sufficiently severe for the respiratory rate to be normal or reduced. This definition is also followed by several other sources, including for instance Merriam-Webster, which defines Kussmaul breathing as "abnormally slow deep respiration characteristic of air hunger and occurring especially in acidotic states". Other sources, however, use the term Kussmau ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Agonal Respiration
Agonal respiration, gasping respiration, or agonal breathing is a distinct and abnormal pattern of breathing and brainstem reflex characterized by gasping labored breathing and is accompanied by strange vocalizations and myoclonus. Possible causes include cerebral ischemia, hypoxia (inadequate oxygen supply to tissue), or anoxia (total oxygen depletion). Agonal breathing is a severe medical sign requiring immediate medical attention, as the condition generally progresses to complete apnea and preludes death. The duration of agonal respiration can range from two breaths to several hours of labored breathing. The term is sometimes inaccurately used to refer to labored, gasping breathing patterns accompanying organ failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, septic shock, and metabolic acidosis. End-of-life inability to tolerate secretions, known as the death rattle, is a different phenomenon. Etymology Agonal stems from the word agony, which denotes a struggle. As s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dying
Dying is the final stage of life which will eventually lead to death. Diagnosing dying is a complex process of clinical decision-making, and most practice checklists facilitating this diagnosis are based on cancer diagnoses. Signs of dying The National Cancer Institute in the United States advises that the presence of some of the following signs may indicate that death is approaching: * Drowsiness, increased sleep, and/or unresponsiveness (caused by changes in the patient's metabolism). * Confusion about time, place, and/or identity of loved ones; restlessness; visions of people and places that are not present; pulling at bed linens or clothing (caused in part by changes in the patient's metabolism). * Decreased socialization and withdrawal (caused by decreased oxygen to the brain, decreased blood flow, and mental preparation for dying). * Decreased need for food and fluids, and loss of appetite (caused by the body's need to conserve energy and its decreasing ability to us ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gargling
Gargling is the act of bubbling liquid in the mouth. It is also the washing of one's throat with a liquid (with one's head tipped back) that is kept from being swallowed by continuous exhalation. This produces a characteristic gurgling sound. Mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide (in a low concentration) is often employed. A traditional home remedy of gargling warm saltwater is sometimes recommended to soothe a sore throat. One study in Japan has shown that gargling water a few times a day will lower the chance of upper respiratory infections such as common colds, though some medical doctors are skeptical. See also * Stomach rumble References Oral hygiene {{Health-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
