A doctor has explained why people often make a particular noise when they are just hours away from death.

This noise, known as the "death rattle," can be heard when someone is within 24 hours of passing. Healthline describes it as "a crackling, wet sound that may accompany each breath."

The site further explains, "A death rattle is a distinctive sound that can occur as a person nears the end of their life, and it may happen when they can no longer swallow or cough effectively enough to clear saliva."

This sound typically emerges as the person drifts in and out of consciousness, and their breathing becomes more labored. But what causes this to happen?

Dr. Paulien Moyaert, a former medical student, PhD candidate, and nuclear medicine resident, explained in a YouTube video: "This occurs because, as consciousness fades, patients lose their ability to swallow. Air moves these accumulated secretions, resulting in noisy breathing."

She added, "Some people believe that the death rattle is the lungs' attempt to breathe through a layer of saliva."

Although the sound can appear distressing, Dr. Moyaert noted that because the person is likely unconscious, they do not experience pain.

Can a death rattle be treated?

"We often administer medications to try to dry up the airways and reduce the death rattle," Dr. Moyaert explained. "However, when we do this, it's not for the comfort of the person who is dying, but rather for their family."

She also mentioned that repositioning the patient, turning them to their side with their head slightly elevated, may help ease the noise.

Many viewers of the doctor’s video expressed their gratitude for the explanation. One person shared, "Thank you. I am with my dying mother right now, and this helped me understand that it is normal."

Another wrote, "A friend of mine is dying in Florida, and her daughter updated me. She mentioned a 'death rattle' in one of her messages, and I wasn’t sure what that meant. Thank you for explaining it."

A third commented, "Amazing, my father sounded just like the sample. Thank you, Dr."

Others expressed a wish they had known this information sooner when caring for their loved ones. One person said, "Thank you for educating those going through this with a loved one, or those who will in the future. I wish I had known this before my mom passed. It was traumatic to hear her pronounced death rattle—it sounded like she was struggling to breathe. The sound haunted me for months after she passed."