What Happens to Your Body After You Die ?

A woman sat in her apartment, unwinding with her favorite TV show and a plate of macaroni and cheese. Suddenly, an unpleasant odor interrupted her relaxation. The smell was strange and off-putting, reminiscent of rotten eggs and decayed cabbage. Though perplexed, she couldn't pinpoint the source. Exhausted, she decided to sleep it off, hoping the smell would dissipate by morning. However, upon waking, the stench had intensified, making her gag. It felt as if something was rotting nearby, possibly a heap of dead rats. She noticed the odor was strongest near her neighbor's apartment. Concerned, she called the police, despite believing the young man next door, Liam, appeared healthy and far from his expiration date.

Liam's Demise

When the police entered Liam's apartment, they were met with a gruesome sight: Liam's bloated corpse lay before them, emitting an unbearable stench. To understand how this happened, we must rewind.

Liam was a fitness enthusiast, seemingly in peak health. However, his rigorous workout regimen led to a severe injury, requiring strong pain medications. These medications caused chronic constipation, which Liam endured as best as he could. Over time, his large bowel expanded significantly due to the buildup of feces. This pressure compressed his chest cavity, ultimately causing a sudden cardiac arrest. A pathologist confirmed this after an autopsy.

The Final Moments

In Liam's final moments, his heart stopped, cutting off blood flow to his brain. Within minutes, he experienced "global cerebral ischemia," a condition where the brain receives no blood flow. This led to brain death, marked by involuntary movements and, ultimately, a complete cessation of life. Liam's body then began the decomposition process.

The Onset of Decomposition

The first phase, "primary flaccidity," occurred as Liam's muscles relaxed. His jaw dropped open, and his body released fluids, including urine and backed-up feces, creating a mess where he sat. His skin turned pale as blood drained from his veins, a process known as "pallor mortis," typically occurring around 20 minutes post-mortem.

As his body cooled, "algor mortis" set in. Normally, the human body maintains a temperature between 97°F (36.1°C) and 99°F (37.2°C). Without a living circulatory system, Liam's body temperature began to drop to match his surroundings. His open window made the room chilly, slowing down decomposition but inviting insects to lay eggs in his body.

The Gruesome Transformation

Blood began to pool in the lower parts of his body due to gravity, a phenomenon called "livor mortis," visible after about two hours. His body then entered "rigor mortis," with muscles stiffening approximately four hours after death. Liam's twisted expression and open eyes were the results of this biochemical change, not fear or pain.

After about 12 hours, Liam's body was extremely stiff, remaining that way for two days. Following this, "secondary flaccidity" occurred as his muscles relaxed again. His skin started to shrink, giving the illusion of hair and nail growth.

Advanced Decomposition

After three days, Liam's body began to show significant signs of decomposition. Bacteria, no longer kept in check by his immune system, started to break down his body, turning his skin a greenish hue and emitting foul odors. By the fifth day, Liam's body was bloated with gas produced by bacterial fermentation, leading to blister formation and further unpleasant smells.

The Unbearable Stench

The gases released during decomposition, such as "cadaverine" and "putrescine," smelled like rotten fish and decayed matter. "Skatole" added a fecal odor, while "hydrogen sulfide" contributed a rotten egg smell. "Dimethyl disulfide" and "methanethiol" smelled of garlic and cabbage, respectively. This combination made Liam's apartment unbearable.

Discovery and autopsy

Liam's neighbor noticed the stench around the 12-day mark. The police found what is termed an "unattended death," necessitating an autopsy to determine the cause. Only about five percent of deaths in the U.S. require an autopsy, and Liam's was one of them.

The medical examiner received Liam's body and external notes about the scene. With no signs of foul play, the examiner performed an autopsy, opening Liam's body to examine his organs. The cause of death was clear: chronic constipation leading to cardiac arrest.

Preparation for burial

Liam's decomposed body was washed and prepared at the funeral home. His limbs were positioned, his eyelids were glued shut, and his jaw was wired closed. Embalming involved draining his blood and replacing it with preservatives. His body was then dressed and placed in a coffin for his funeral.

The long wait

Buried six feet under in a wooden coffin, Liam's body began a slow decomposition process. Factors like the coffin type, environment, and body condition influenced the rate. Over weeks, his skin darkened, and his suit deteriorated. After a decade, Liam's body was reduced to a liquefied state, a stark contrast to his former self.

Conclusion

Liam's story, though tragic, is a reminder of the inevitable journey we all face. Our bodies, once vibrant, will one day return to the earth. The tale of Liam's demise serves as a somber reflection on life and the natural processes that follow death.