Issues related to blood donation

Each year, thousands of people rely on receiving donated blood and blood
products to stay alive.
Certain injuries and illnesses can quickly cause a person's blood levels to
drop. Without enough blood, they will not receive enough oxygen in their
body, resulting in death.

Many hospitals and medical centers utilize donated blood to save the lives of
their patients.

While a blood donation can be vital for some people, what are the effects on
those who donate the blood? In this article, we take a look at the advantages
and disadvantages of giving blood.

Preparation

Before donating, people must register for donation, complete a medical

history, and have a mini-physical examination.

These steps help ensure that a person has not been exposed to diseases that
could be spread to others by blood donations.

The tests also reveal if someone is not a good candidate for giving blood due
to personal health concerns. Examples of these issues include low
hemoglobin levels or high or low blood pressure.
During the donation

The donor's arm is cleaned with an alcohol prep pad, and a member of the
donation team inserts a needle into a vein. The needle is brand-new and
sterile.

The needle is attached to a collection tubing and bag, and the blood will flow
into the bag until it is full.

According to the American Red Cross, a whole blood donation takes 8-10
minutes on average. If a person is donating a blood product, such as platelets
or plasma, this process can take up to 2 hours.

After the donation

When a person has finished donating blood, medical personnel will remove
the needle or intravenous catheter, apply pressure with a cotton gauze, and
place a bandage over the person's arm.The donor will usually wait for 10-15
minutes before leaving, during which time they will be encouraged to eat
and drink some refreshments.After the donation, medical teams will take the
blood and test it for potential blood-borne diseases. Examples of these
include HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis.

The donating organization usually performs more than a dozen tests to

ensure the safety of the donated blood.

Donated blood can only last for a certain time and must be used before it
expires. As a result, blood banks and hospitals have almost a continuous
need for donated blood.
Considerations

Potential blood donors must meet several requirements before they can give
blood. They must be in good health and weight at least 110 pounds.

Age requirements can vary from state to state, but most allow those between
the age of 16 and 17 to donate with a parent's permission, as well as anyone
older.

If a person does decide to donate blood, they should get a good night's rest
before and avoid eating high-fat foods on the day of the testing. High-fat
foods may cause false results in some of the tests carried out on the day of
giving blood.

Drinking plenty of water before and after blood donation can help a person
rebuild fluids they have lost by their donation.

Those who donate platelets, which are the part of the blood that helps in
clotting, should not take aspirin before giving blood. This drug thins the
blood, and so the donor may have problems if they experience bleeding.

As it takes some time for a person's body to replace the missing blood, most
donors cannot give blood sooner than every 56 days.
Outlook

According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood
every 2 seconds. The Red Cross also reports that nearly 7 million people in
the U.S. donate blood on a yearly basis.

A tremendous need for blood and blood products exists for those who find
themselves chronically or acutely ill and experiencing blood loss. Some of
the most common chronic conditions that may require frequent blood
transfusions include sickle cell disease and cancers.

If a person has concerns or questions about the safety and advantages or

disadvantages of blood donation, they should contact their local American
Red Cross, hospital, or medical center to understand the blood collection
process, screening, and safety.