Final answer:
Physiological death occurs when vital organs such as the heart, lungs, or brain fail, leading to the end of life. It is one of the causes of mortality in high-income nations, along with cancer and obesity, which are significant health concerns. Thanatology is a study focused on understanding death and dying, including the psychological and social aspects of facing mortality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of death characterized by the failure of vital organs, often resulting in difficulty eating and breathing, is physiological death. This type of death occurs when critical systems within the body, such as the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs, cease to function properly. The human body relies on these organs for survival; their failure leads to the cessation of life.
Types of Deaths Linked to Health Conditions
In high-income nations, many deaths are linked to conditions like cancer and obesity. Cancer is an out-of-control growth of specific body cells that can erode life functions, with lung cancer being a leading cause of death highly associated with smoking tobacco. Obesity can also lead to numerous health complications that contribute to mortality.
Understanding Death and Dying
The study of death and dying is known as thanatology. This field looks into aspects such as life expectancy and biological aging, but it primarily focuses on the processes, emotions, and other factors surrounding death and dying. This field also covers the coping mechanisms of individuals facing death, such as hospice care for a supportive environment in one's last days, or the comfort drawn from religious or spiritual beliefs.