Blood donation – Myths and Facts that everyone should know

India faces a blood shortfall of about 30% yearly. The shortage of blood seems mainly owing to the myths adjacent to blood donation. The country requires about ten million units of blood each year, however, direct a small 5.5 million units.  One of the things that go on numerous from donating blood is confusion concerning their eligibility. There are little things that stop a healthy being from donating blood.

Below are some of the common myths and truths regarding blood donation:

• Donate blood at the times of crisis

While critical disasters like 9/11 do generally not need a surplus of blood. It is not the donor who reacts to a crisis who saves the day. In fact, it is the donor who came in days previously, ahead of the crisis happen, who give the blood that is in fact on the hospital shelves to be used when an unexpected disaster occurs.

• Blood of vegetarian does not have enough iron and so cannot be donated

Vegetarians are able to donate blood. The iron required is taken from the body and one time a balanced diet is maintained is restored following donation. This typically takes a month only.

• We have to take a day off for blood donation

Everyone should know this that the entire blood donation procedure takes about an hour.  One can instantly go back to work later than donating blood. Though there are few precautions, one should obtain such as drinking ten glasses of water f

or 24 hours subsequent to blood donation, keep away from sun exposure, no driving for the then 3-4 hours, no smoking or else having alcohol for after those 24 hours.

• People consuming medication cannot donate blood

Certain medications like antibiotics, aspirin or steroids, can prohibit an individual from donating blood. People with high BP can donate blood if the blood pressure is fewer than 180 systolic at the time of donation. Medicine for high BP does not ban one from donating.

• People with high cholesterol, infections, diabetes cannot donate blood

There are some infections like HIV plus hepatitis which may prohibit an individual from donating blood. Even if one has problems like high cholesterol, diabetes or hypertension one can donate blood as long as the biochemical parameters are within reasonable limits. However, people with diabetes on insulin may not qualify for blood donation.

Instructions on donating blood

• The donor should have an excellent meal at least 2 hours before blood donation.
• A donor should eat the snacks offered following donating blood as it is good for their fitness. They are suggested to get good meal afterwards.
• A donor should keep away from smoking on the day previous to blood donation. They may do so subsequent to 3 hours.
• Do not obtain alcohol at last 48 hours previous to donating blood.