COPD - End-of-Life Signs

Answer 1

Is there any new way to handle the pain. If you are dying from emphasyma do you smother to death.

Comments

Hello, usually using non-invasive ventilation can ease the patient a bit.

Answer 2

I have seen a lot of these symptoms with my mom I am afraid she doesn’t have much longer. Not knowing what to expect or what do to to help her.

Comments

You may discuss with your mom's physician and get his opinion. Meanwhile, when she's awake, try to talk to her about happy things that can keep her spirit up.

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I agree with positive.  My husband has been in end stage for ten years and has an excellent today attitude.  It’s important to focus on what he or she CAN do to ward off depression.  He watches tv, reads, and we play short non-physical board games and watch movies.  Allowing him the grace he needs to decline and still protect and love deeply is hard.  Offer Salvation through Jesus Christ and enjoy the time you have left while taking care of yourself as sole caretaker.  Be thankful that person touched your heart and life.  Ask for help and peace when you pray

Answer 3

Each person’s experience at the end of life is different. Also, the presence of one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean someone is close to death. They might have been part of your life for months or years before.

The most common physical symptoms in the final stages are:

• feeling more severely out of breath
• reducing lung function making breathing harder
• having frequent flare-ups
• finding it difficult to maintain a healthy body weight
• feeling more anxious and depressed

Answer 4

As the end of life approaches, a number of physical and emotional changes might occur. Not everyone will experience the same or all of them. You might notice changes over weeks, days or even hours. Some of the changes might be the same as signs of a flare-up, so discuss them with your doctor or nurse. 

Signs to look out for include:

• not wanting to eat or drink very much or at all. Swallowing may become difficult
• losing physical energy, the ability or desire to talk, and signs of withdrawing from family and friends
• feeling sleepy or drowsy most of the time, being very inactive and eventually becoming unconscious. It is not unusual to stay in bed or a comfortable chair rather than getting up
• changes in breathing rate or pattern. As the body becomes less active, the need for oxygen reduces. There may be long pauses between breaths and the tummy may move up and down more than the chest. There may also be an increase in chesty or respiratory secretions and noisy, moist breathing that occurs because of a build-up of phlegm that can’t be coughed up. Remember, this might be more distressing for others than for the person affected. Medication is available that can help to dry up the phlegm
• needing oxygen, if it’s not already being used, and the support of other medical equipment. This doesn’t need to get in the way of physical contact. Don’t be afraid to touch and be close to each other
• changes in skin colour and temperature. Skin may become pale, moist and slightly cooler just before death
• involuntary twitches. These are normal and don’t mean that someone is distressed or uncomfortable

Answer 5

what if the persons only means is oxygen and there are no more sounds in there lungs how long can they live like that