Dying is not like it is in the movies. There are generally no important words or messages given followed by breathing peacefully stopping. Instead, there are strange sounds, messy bodily functions – such as peeing, pooping, and spitting – as well as aimless movements of hands, arms, and general restlessness. …

A hospice nurse asked if we, the medical caregivers, should be taking scheduled or frequent blood pressures when caring for someone whose end of life is approaching. That question made me think about how tuned into medical procedures we healthcare workers are. Blood pressures, lab work, pulse, respirations, and temperature …

Relationships are challenging. We don’t always get from them what we want or need. As death comes, the yearning for what we didn’t get or have with this person increases. When I was caring for my mother in the months before she died, I realized all the things I wanted …

Researchers in Japan discovered that Parkinson’s patients diagnosed in their 80s are far more likely to show signs of amyloid buildup, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, even without dementia symptoms. The study compared younger and older patients, finding that older individuals had three times the rate of amyloid positivity. Surprisingly, Parkinson’s …

Scientists have discovered a way to block pain while still allowing the body’s natural healing to take place. Current painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin often come with harmful side effects because they shut down both pain and inflammation. But this new research identified a single “pain switch” receptor that can …