Table of contents:
- The patient seemed to be getting better and healthy again before he died
- What happens while the patient gets better?
- Why can this phenomenon occur?
Many cases of chronic disease patients who are unable to recognize their own children and grandchildren suddenly look healthy again. Within a few hours or days, the patient can recognize his family. The patient is even able to stand or sit upright and speak normally. The family was optimistic that the patient's health would recover, but after that the patient whose condition had improved in fact died.
How can someone who is about to die actually look fresh and get better again? What do experts say about this unique phenomenon? Check out the explanation below!
The patient seemed to be getting better and healthy again before he died
It seems that the phenomenon of chronic disease patients who get better before dying has been known for nearly three centuries. This phenomenon is known in the medical realm as terminal lucidity, which literally means clarity before dying.
As explained by a biologist and mental health expert, Michael Nahm, terminal lucidity can be interpreted as "the emergence of clarity and mental acuity in a patient who is unconscious, has a psychiatric disorder, or is very weak just before death."
According to research by Michael Nahm and his team in the journal Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, this condition can be experienced by patients for about a few days, hours, or minutes before finally dying.
Compiled from various case studies around the world, terminal lucidity most occur in patients who suffer from various diseases that attack the brain. Starting from brain tumors, trauma to the brain, stroke, meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain), Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia. However, it is possible for other chronic disease patients to also "recover" just moments before dying.
What happens while the patient gets better?
Various reports that have been successfully recorded medically show that the condition varies from one patient to another. In a case study in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, a person with chronic schizophrenia had no more schizophrenic symptoms for two days before death. These patients are said to appear normal, like people in general.
Another observation recorded by the experts revealed that a meningitis patient who had been dazed and could only talk suddenly had a refreshed mind and returned to normal functioning. This patient becomes able to speak clearly and answer questions well. Unfortunately this condition only lasted a few minutes before his death.
There are many other similar cases which are still being studied by experts. However, the patterns are always similar. The patient will suddenly recover from his illness, seem to gain clarity of mind and be able to do things that previously could not be done, such as talking or eating well.
Why can this phenomenon occur?
To date, no scientific analysis is sufficiently robust to explain why this phenomenon occurs frequently and what causes it. One theory under closer examination suggests that when patients suffer from chronic disease, the brain volume shrinks slightly. This is because the brain tissues are getting weaker and shrinking.
Therefore, the brain, which was previously full of stress, loosens up a bit. This is believed to be able to restore various brain functions that have been damaged. For example memory and speaking skills.
From research around terminal lucidity Today, experts hope that the results will one day serve as a guide to updated care for patients with chronic diseases. A more ambitious hope is that this unique phenomenon can be developed into a special treatment method for patients with brain damage or dysfunction.
