On the dynamics of dying.

On the dynamics of dying.

Engelberg J

Integrative Physiological And Behavioral Science

1997

Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Animals; Cell Survival/ph [Physiology]; Death; Feedback/ph [Physiology]; Aorta; Aortic Coarctation/pp [Physiopathology]; Heart Arrest/pp [Physiopathology]; Hemodynamics/ph [Physiology]; Homeostasis/ph [Physiology]; Respiratory Insufficiency/pp [Physiopathology]; Thoracic/pp [Physiopathology]

This study is concerned with dynamic processes that underly the rapid, degenerative changes associated with the "dying" stage of the multicellular organism's life cycle. The interaction between negative and positive feedback cycles is discussed: negative feedback cycles underly the superstability characteristic of health and illness. When negative feedback cycles fade in the dying phase of life, positive feedback cycles, previously held in check by the negative feedback cycles to which they had been coupled, rise explosively, driving physiologic variables from their normal values towards extremes. This results in the rapid downturn that we associate with dying--an accelerating disintegration terminating in death. A medical case history is analyzed.

1997

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