Death has strange ways of taking loved ones away. Sometimes it is so sudden that you feel cheated; other times it is so prolonged and uncertain that you wish for the person to be relieved of the pain they are enduring. Whatever the manner of death, it brings with it deep hurt, pain, and unexplained grief. But it is hard to believe that a person gives no signs in the final days of their life, correct? Well, end-of-life nurses share they have noticed certain patterns that appear when a person is about to die or is nearing their end.

While the dying process is unique to each person, there are common patterns. Reportedly, these shifts are not usually painful, but they can be startling for loved ones to witness. Understanding them might not stop death but it could make the farewell a little gentler.

The Weeks Before

According to reports from hospice and palliative care nurses, the body starts to slow down in the weeks before death. The heart pumps less forcefully, so blood moves sluggishly. Less oxygen reaches the brain and organs, meaning they work less efficiently.

Fatigue reportedly becomes a near-constant companion. People may sleep more often, sometimes for long stretches, and may talk less, though a few do the opposite, eager to connect while they can. Appetite changes are also common; food loses its appeal as the digestive system downshifts.

Weight loss and thinning skin often follow since the body no longer regenerates skin cells as it once did. These are not so much signs of illness worsening, shared by many end-of-life nurses, but of the body quietly conserving energy for its final tasks.

The Days Before

In the days before death, breathing reportedly becomes unpredictable. Sometimes slow, sometimes rapid. Fluid can build in the lungs, creating what is known as a “death rattle” sound.

Circulation shifts cause noticeable changes in skin colour. Hands, feet, and knees may become mottled, blotchy, pale, or grey. The body also loses its knack for regulating temperature, leading to icy fingers one moment and sweaty palms the next.

Mental changes creep in too. With less oxygen to the brain, people may drift in and out of awareness, experience hallucinations, or chat with people who are not there. Some slip into unconsciousness days before passing; others remain faintly responsive until the end.

The Last 24 Hours

Reportedly, the final day can hold one last surprise: a sudden surge of energy. A person who has been mostly unresponsive may sit up, hold conversations, or eat a favourite food. Families sometimes mistake this as a sign of recovery, but reportedly, it is simply the body’s final rally.

Soon after, most people sink into deep sleep. Physical signs that death is close include mottled skin, low blood pressure, inability to swallow, minimal urine output, and shallow or laboured breathing. Some may become restless, but many appear peaceful.

The Last Hours

In the hours before death, the body’s systems slow to a crawl. Breathing patterns grow erratic, skin cools, and the pulse weakens. People who remain conscious up to this point usually fade into unconsciousness.

Katie Duncan, a nurse practitioner and end-of-life coach who has worked in intensive care and hospice settings, explained in a viral TikTok video that many people nearing death will suddenly raise their hands or arms, as if reaching out to something above them.

"This is one of those unexplainable phenomena. In my personal experience working with people who are dying, this reach towards someone or something above them is really common," she said.

End-of-life changes are not an exact script. Not everyone will have mottled skin or unpredictable breathing. But, reportedly, these signs are common enough that knowing them can help families prepare — emotionally, practically, and spiritually.

You know that strange moment when your heart feels like it’s suddenly skipping beats? Whether it’s a rapid thud-thud-thud or a flutter that makes you freeze mid-sentence, heart palpitations can be unsettling. But are they always bad news? According to experts, not necessarily, but they’re not to be brushed aside either.

What exactly are heart palpitations?

As Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, explains, palpitations are feelings where your heart tends to pound, flutter, or beat too fast or irregularly. You might feel them in your chest, throat, or even neck. They can show up while you’re lounging on the sofa or right after an intense workout.

Causes? Oh, the list is long. Stress, anxiety, too much caffeine, alcohol, dehydration, fever, hormonal changes, certain medications — the usual suspects. But Dr Bhamre warns that in some cases, they can be linked to more serious conditions like thyroid problems, heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), or even heart disease. “If you experience chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath along with palpitations, it’s time to get checked without delay,” he says.

When it’s probably harmless

If you’re otherwise healthy and your palpitations pop up only occasionally, chances are they’ll pass on their own. Dr Bhamre notes that most healthy people experience them now and then, often triggered by lifestyle factors. Your morning triple espresso, your boss’s 4 p.m. email bombshell, or that late-night Netflix thriller might be to blame.

Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, Chief CVTS Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, adds that palpitations are common in a large number of people and, most of the time, cause no harm. “They’re often just your body’s way of saying it needs a break — maybe from caffeine, maybe from stress, maybe from your phone at 1 a.m.,” he says.

When to treat them as a health alarm

Here’s the rule: if palpitations are frequent, last longer than a few seconds, or arrive with bonus symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or severe breathlessness, they could be a sign of something more serious. That’s when you call your doctor and schedule a check-up, pronto.

Dr Pal advises keeping an eye out for patterns. “Notice if they happen after your third coffee, a heated argument, or intense exercise. Even drug abuse can trigger palpitations,” he warns. Understanding your personal triggers can help your doctor pinpoint the cause.

Palpitation diary

Both experts suggest tracking your symptoms. Note down:

How often they happen

How long they last

What you were doing or feeling right before they started

It’s not about obsessing over every heartbeat, but about giving your doctor clues. This “heartbeat log” could save you unnecessary anxiety — or, in some cases, catch an issue early.

Lifestyle tweaks that can help

According to Dr Bhamre, some small adjustments can make a big difference:

Cut back on caffeine, energy drinks, and alcohol

Stay hydrated — dehydration can worsen palpitations

De-stress — try yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or a walk without your phone

Get enough rest — lack of sleep can mess with your heart rhythm.

Dr Pal also suggests managing anxiety with calming techniques. “Sometimes, simply calming yourself down can reduce palpitations triggered by stress,” he says.

Why ignoring your heart is a bad idea

Your heart might be small compared to, say, your ego when you win a board game, but it’s literally keeping you alive. As Dr Bhamre reminds us, “Don’t take your heart health lightly at all.” Early evaluation and lifestyle changes can keep a minor flutter from turning into a major crisis.

When social media influencer Tana Mongeau decided to try the prescription medication Mounjaro, she expected rapid weight loss. What she didn’t expect was to spend the week “crawling on the floor” from the side effects.

Her story, shared in a new episode of her podcast 'Cancelled with Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield' is the latest in a growing conversation about the risks of using powerful injectable medications designed for Type 2 diabetes as weight-loss shortcuts.

Mounjaro, manufactured by Eli Lilly, was originally developed to help manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient, tirzepatide, mimics two natural hormones—GLP-1 and GIP—that help regulate appetite and blood sugar. By slowing digestion and reducing hunger, the drug can lead to significant weight loss.

In recent years, Mounjaro has found itself compared to other GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy—both of which have been adopted by celebrities and influencers seeking rapid slimming. For some patients, especially those living with obesity-related health issues, these drugs can be life-changing when paired with diet and exercise but as Mongeau’s experience shows, the side effects can be severe.

In her podcast, Mongeau revealed she lost 6 pounds in just two days after her first Mounjaro injection. Yet the physical toll was immediate.

“I have been dying this week,” she said. “Like, dying. Like, crawling on the floor.”

The nausea was so intense that she had to take prescription anti-sickness medication, Zofran, daily just to cope. She also reported sleeping more than 12 hours a day, leaving her drained and unable to function normally.

While Mounjaro is not new to the market, its use in people without diabetes has drawn concern from medical professionals. Side effects often include nausea, constipation, hair loss, and reduced sex drive. Longer-term risks may include loss of bone density and muscle mass, which is why doctors strongly advise maintaining a protein-rich diet and exercise regimen while on the drug.

Who Is Actually Eligible for Mounjaro?

In UK, Mounjaro is available only by prescription to people with a BMI of 40 or higher, placing them in the “severely obese” category. In US, the FDA approved tirzepatide for Type 2 diabetes, with clinical trials under way for its weight management.

The drug, though, has been available from private pharmacies and internet sources well in advance of broader health system introductions, which has driven its off-label usage.

This availability, coupled with celebrity promotion and social media hype, has created a demand that tends to eclipse debate around risks.

The Celebrity Effect on Medical Choices

Mongeau's celebrity forum means that her health decisions are observed—and in many cases, mimicked—by millions. Her honest report is an unusual counterpoint to a culture on social media influencerdom that glamorizes fixes without revealing the consequences.

“Anything that’s a quick fix, obviously, it works well,” she admitted on her show. “But I should not have done that.”

This kind of transparency is important, experts say, because it balances the narrative around powerful medications like Mounjaro. Eli Lilly responded to Mongeau’s statements with a reminder that patient safety is a priority:

“Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority, and we take any reports regarding patient safety seriously. Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data to ensure the latest information is available for regulators and prescribers. We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any possible side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”

Mongeau’s experience is part of a broader discussion about the medicalization of weight loss, social pressure, and the risks of using treatments without full medical oversight.

Doctors caution that while GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists like Mounjaro can be beneficial for people with obesity-related health problems, they are not intended for cosmetic weight loss in otherwise healthy individuals. Sudden weight loss puts the body under stress, can erode the immune system, and sets in motion long-term health effects.

Appetite suppression without the proper intake of nutrients also causes deficiencies, fatigue, and slowing of metabolism—reversals that are challenging to achieve.

Mounjaro has the potential to be a lifesaver for some patients if prescribed responsibly. But for others looking for a quick route to weight loss who don't medically need it, the price is steeper than they anticipated.

Mongeau's message is direct and straightforward: "Never, ever, ever do it." Her experience reminds us that no quick solution is without cost—and when it comes to powerful metabolic drugs, that cost may be your health.

If you’re considering any prescription weight-loss medication, experts agree on one thing: speak with a qualified healthcare provider first, understand the potential risks, and make choices that prioritize your long-term well-being over short-term results.

Scientists have found new evidence suggesting that drugs like Ozempic might have an unexpected benefit: they could help reverse aging. Ozempic has gained a lot of popularity recently. Many celebrities have opened up about using it like Oprah, Meghan Trainor, Elon Musk etc. As more people are using it throughout the world, researchers are studying different effects of it. As the drug is still relatively new, we have heard of Ozempic feet, face, smell etc., researchers have found many different effects these weight loss drugs can have on the human body, however this is a new effect that could change the way we view the phrase 'anti-aging'.

A recent study found that the drug semaglutide, which is in Ozempic and Wegovy, made a person's body biologically younger by an average of about three years.

Also Read: Is Yerba Mate Nature's Answer To Ozempic? Risks And Benefits

This research is still new and hasn't been fully reviewed by other scientists, but it points to a future where these drugs could do more than just treat diabetes and help with weight loss.

What Is Biological Age?

To understand the study, you need to know the difference between your chronological age (how many years you've been alive) and your biological age (how old your body is on the inside). Scientists can measure your biological age by looking at certain chemical changes in your DNA.

For this study, researchers at the TruDiagnostic aging lab in Kentucky measured the biological age of 184 people with a condition linked to rapid aging. They gave a weekly shot of semaglutide to a group of people with a health condition that causes them to age faster. A second group received a placebo shot.

Also Read: Why Ozempic Might Be Making Your Favorite Foods Taste Gross?

How Many Years Does Ozempic Age Us Back?

After 32 weeks, the results were significant:

• The group that took semaglutide saw their biological age go down by an average of 3.1 years.
• The drug also seemed to slow down the aging process in important organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys. In some people, their brain's biological age even appeared to be five years younger.

The study suggests that the drug's ability to improve a person's metabolism and fat distribution might be the reason for these anti-aging effects. While it's too early to use these drugs specifically for anti-aging, these findings are an important first step.

While the study was done on people with a specific health condition, the lead researcher believes the benefits could apply to a wider population. Although it's too early to start using these drugs just for anti-aging, the findings are exciting and point to a potential future where drugs like Ozempic could do more than just treat diabetes and obesity.

This research provides the first real evidence from a clinical trial that semaglutide can actually change the biological signs of aging. It suggests that drugs like Ozempic could be used in the future not just for weight loss and diabetes, but also to help people live longer, healthier lives.

More research is needed, but these findings are a big step forward in understanding the full potential of these drugs. As this research moves forward to be peer-reviewed, one must know what the side-effects of the medicine are.

Side-Effects of Ozempic

Diabetes UK explains that all medications, Ozempic can cause side effects. The most common ones include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Risk of worsening eye disease
• Risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Risk of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

Not everyone who takes Ozempic will experience these side effects. The likelihood of having them can vary, so it's important to discuss the potential risks with your healthcare provider.

Risks of Ozempic to Watch For

There are a few more serious side effects to be aware of, especially if you have other health conditions:

Risk of Worsening Diabetic Eye Disease (Retinopathy)

If you have diabetic eye disease and also use insulin, there is a risk that your condition could get worse when you start taking Ozempic. This is thought to be caused by a rapid drop in blood sugar. It's crucial to tell your doctor if you have this eye condition or if you notice any changes in your vision after starting Ozempic.

Risk of Low Blood Sugar

When taken alone, Ozempic doesn't usually cause low blood sugar. However, the risk increases if you take it along with other diabetes medications, such as insulin or a sulphonylurea. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of these other medications to help prevent this from happening.

Also Read: Ozempic Came From A Monster’s Venom-The Creature That Made Weight Loss A Trend

Risk of High Blood Sugar

If you take Ozempic with insulin and your insulin dose is reduced too quickly, it can cause high blood sugar levels. This can lead to a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Your healthcare team should explain the signs and symptoms of DKA to you.