Congestion
- When death is near, you may hear gurgling sounds coming from their throat or chest. These sounds can be very loud.
- The cause of this is the inability to swallow: normal saliva and fluids tend to collect, causing a sound as the breath reverberates.
- Health care professionals may give medication to dry these fluids and secretion, but a gentle turn of the head to allow this to drain out of the mouth also helps, as does a wipe with some tissues. Please be assured the noise may be upsetting for you but it is not causing any distress to your relative.
