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Here’s a clear bullet-point gist of the article:
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A palliative care doctor who has witnessed hundreds of deaths explains what typically happens as a person approaches death.
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Scientifically, we know very little about the exact process of dying, despite varied religious beliefs.
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Dr. Seamus Coyle, a palliative care specialist and researcher at the University of Liverpool, says dying is a gradual process beginning about two weeks before the heart actually stops.
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In this early phase, people experience declining health, reduced movement, more time spent sleeping, and disruptions in normal sleep patterns.
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In the final days, they often lose the ability to swallow food, water, or medication — this is called being “actively dying”, typically indicating 2–3 days left.
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However, this stage varies widely: some pass through it in a day, others remain in it for up to a week.
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The process is unpredictable, and every person’s decline looks different.
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What happens biologically at the exact moment of death is still unclear.
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Some studies suggest the brain releases a rush of chemicals, including endorphins, which may create feelings of calm or happiness.
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An unpublished study hints that stress chemicals and inflammatory markers rise as death nears, especially in cancer patients.
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Overall, people often seem to experience less pain near death — possibly due to endorphins — though there is no conclusive research.
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Dr. Coyle emphasizes that not everyone experiences peace; deaths vary greatly.
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Young patients, especially those with families, often struggle emotionally and do not experience a peaceful or accepting death.
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