Doctor explains phenomenon people experience moments before they die that ‘people can’t understand’

A hospice nurse has been raising awareness about a strange phenomenon that happens to people mere days, or even hours, before they die.

Julie McFadden, a palliative and intensive care nurse in Los Angeles, has been educating her social media followers about what truly happens when someone passes away.

Particularly, there’s a pretty frequent occurrence in those who are about to die that may puzzle - or even distress - their loved ones.

McFadden said she’s seen this phenomenon in about a third of her hospice patients, and if you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, you might remember a shattering episode which saw fan-favourite character Mark Sloan aka McDreamy (Eric Dane) experiencing what is known as ‘the rally’ or 'terminal lucidity' right before his death.

In a video, McFadden explained that a person who is about to pass may experience a sudden burst of energy and talk and act like their old self again.

"Here's one phenomenon that happens during the death and dying process that medical professionals, like myself, cannot explain,” she said.

"This is when someone is really sick and almost towards actively dying, meaning dying within a few days, and then suddenly they look like they are ‘better'.

"This can manifest in different ways but a lot of times they suddenly will eat, they'll suddenly talk, maybe even walk, they act like their old selves.

“They have a little more of a personality, kind of laughing, talking, joking but then usually they die within a few days after this, sometimes even that night and it happens to probably a third of our hospice patients, so it happens quite a bit."

McFadden reiterated the importance of educating families about the rally, also known as terminal lucidity, so that they will be prepared for what comes next.

“We try to educate the family about this before it happens so it doesn't devastate them when they suddenly pass after doing so well for a few days,” she said.

Knowing about terminal lucidity can turn it into a moment where patients look to communicate with their family and friends, allowing for final goodbyes and closure at a difficult time.

It is still not clear what causes terminal lucidity, but scientists believe that fluctuations in brain functions can be behind the short period of sharpness before death.