End Of Life Mucus Secretions at Life

End Of Life Mucus Secretions. Noisy chest secretions can be distressing for anyone close to the patient. As air moves over the secretions, which have pooled in the oropharynx and bronchi, the resulting turbulence produces noisy ventilation with each breath, described as ‘gurgling ‘or ‘rattling noises.’

This may lead to falling body temperatures, but may also cause sudden outbursts. There is no evidence that the use of sedating agents at the end of life, when properly administered, hastens death (morita 2001). Background excessive or thick respiratory secretions are common in patients with pulmonary and neurologic diseases and for many patients in the last few days of life.

Digestive system

Bronchorrhoea (the production of 100 ml or more per day of watery mucus). Because families are understandably distressed at witnessing delirium in the dying person, they may benefit from emotional support from clinicians (morita 2004, breitbart2002). It might be helpful to explain to patients and those important to them that noisy breathing is common at the end of life, so that it’s less alarming if it does happen. These secretions are perfectly normal and consist of saliva, mucus and/or any other liquids introduced into the patient's mouth via wet sponges to moisten his or her mouth, liquids taken with medications, etc.