Hospice nurse reveals the disturbing sound that people make just before passing away

Death is inevitable but losing a loved one is something people can never be prepared for. A little-known yet disturbing aspect of death that frequently affects those close to the deceased, has now been explaoined by a hospice nurse. End-of-life care provider Julie McFadden expresses her thoughts about her work on TikTok and according to her, even though many people are aware of the emotional and psychological changes that accompany death, the death rattle is a physical phenomenon that can be especially upsetting. This sound is often heard in a person's last moments, and is a natural thing, but it is also one of the most disturbing things for anyone who hears it.

As reported by The Mirror, the nurse explained, "The death rattle is the most normal thing and to be expected at the end of life. However, if you're not used to hearing it, it can feel like the scariest thing you've ever heard.” To clear up some common myths surrounding death, she clarified that the death rattle, despite its unsettling sound, doesn’t cause the person any pain or distress. She said, “Our body creates saliva 24/7, and our brain unconsciously tells us to swallow that saliva that's being created in our mouth all the time." She added, “At the end of life, the body is still creating that saliva in the mouth. However, the brain is no longer communicating for us to unconsciously swallow it."

McFadden continued, "Also, these muscles right here are really weak, so we're not really swallowing anything. The person is usually fully unconscious with their mouths usually hanging open because their jaw muscles are so relaxed.” She also clarified that when an unconscious person’s mouth is open and saliva accumulates, the sound of a gurgle can be heard as they breathe through their mouth. She said, “People hear it, they don't understand it. They automatically assume it's coming from their lungs, and the person's, like, drowning on their own fluid. That is not happening. It's truly just a little bit of saliva that's gathered in the mouth. It's not bothering the person because the person is usually fully unconscious.”

McFadden went on to add that hospice staff sometimes take actions to decrease the death rattle, like giving medicines to limit saliva, changing the patient's position in bed, or gently turning them to let the saliva out. She emphasized that normalizing this aspect of death is her aim behind spreading this information. She has been contacted by multiple individuals who have shared how the death rattle traumatized them. According to McFadden, more knowledge on this subject in advance might reduce people's fear and anxiety when the time comes.

Viewers quickly flooded the comment section by sharing their personal experiences. These types of open, honest discussions about death and the end-of-life experience are exactly why McFadden started her TikTok, as she explained during an appearance on 'Good Morning America'. Her very first video delved into what the final six months of hospice care typically look like. Hospice care is provided when a patient no longer responds to treatment aimed at curing or slowing the progression of their illness, as reported by ABC News. McFadden and her fellow hospice nurses focus on offering care, comfort, and quality of life for those nearing the end.