Editing Terminal illness (section)

=== Symptoms near death ===
A variety of symptoms become more apparent when a patient is nearing death. Recognizing these symptoms and knowing what will come may help family members prepare.<ref name="NCI-2007"/>

During the final few weeks, symptoms will vary largely depending on the patient's disease. During the final hours, patients usually will reject food and water and will also sleep more, choosing not to interact with those around them. Their bodies may behave more irregularly, with changes in breathing, sometimes with longer pauses between breaths, irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, and coldness in the extremities. It is important to note, however, that symptoms will vary per patient.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hospicepatients.org/hospic60.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990826174709/http://www.hospicepatients.org/hospic60.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=26 August 1999|title=Hospice Patients Alliance: Signs of Approaching Death|website=www.hospicepatients.org|access-date=2017-11-26}}</ref>