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What are the side effects of donating blood?

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Blood donation is a kind act that can save many lives. While the very thought of donating blood can be intimidating, the process is quite simple. However, before you decide to donate blood, it is important that you know the process, benefits and side effects of blood donation. This can help you prepare yourself, both mentally and physically, for the process and minimise the side effects.

Let's understand the side effects, benefits and process of blood donation in detail.

What are the side effects of blood donation?

Blood donation usually causes some mild side effects, such as

1. Pain:

Blood donation requires a needle to be inserted into the arm to draw blood, and this can cause slight pain and discomfort. However, the pain usually subsides in a few minutes, and the entire donation process is pain-free. After blood donation, you may experience slight pain at the site where the needle was inserted. The doctor may prescribe a painkiller in case of severe pain or discomfort, which is a rare case.

2. Bruising:

Some people experience bruising around the needle insertion site, and the skin around that area might turn blue or purple. However, this is a very mild side effect of blood donation, which usually subsides in a day or two and causes little or no discomfort. You can use an ice pack on the bruised area for quick healing.

3. Continued bleeding:

After blood donation, the healthcare practitioner will put a bandage on the site where the needle was inserted and wrap the area with a dressing to prevent bleeding. You must keep the dressing dry and intact for about 5-6 hours, after which you can remove it carefully. In some rare cases, blood donors may experience continuous bleeding for a long time and require medical attention.

4. Nausea and dizziness:

It is common to experience slight nausea and dizziness after the blood donation process. Hence, after blood donation, you will be kept under observation for about 15 minutes. Taking some light snacks and fruit juice during this time is recommended to ease nausea and light-headedness. These symptoms usually subside after a few minutes of blood donation. If you experience them for several hours with no relief, get in touch with the blood donation centre or a healthcare practitioner.

5. Weakness:

It is natural and normal to feel physically weak after blood donation. Hence, you must eat something light and nutritious and take adequate rest. Also, avoid lifting anything heavy for at least 5-6 hours or till your arm feels better.

Understanding the process of blood donation

The following are the steps involved in blood donation.

• At the donation centre, you will be asked to lie down on a bed or sit in a reclining chair.

• A healthcare worker will use an antiseptic solution to cleanse the area on your arm where the needle must be inserted.

• He/she will then insert a new sterile needle into your arm to draw the blood and collect it in a collection bag. It will take around 8-10 minutes to collect a pint of blood.

• After collecting blood, the healthcare worker will remove the needle from your arm and put a bandage or dressing.

• You will be kept under observation for a few minutes. You can eat a light snack and drink fruit juice during this time to ease nausea and dizziness.

• Once you are feeling better, you can leave the blood donation centre.

FAQs

1. How much blood can one donate?

A healthy adult can safely donate 1 pint or 473 ml of blood every 56 days.

2. Who can donate blood?

Any individual between 18 and 65 years of age can donate blood in India. However, the person must be healthy and have a body weight of 45 kg or more. Also, their haemoglobin count should not be less than 12.5 gm/dL.

3. What should I do before donating blood?

If you are planning to donate blood soon, start consuming nutritious foods right away to prevent any deficiencies later. You must also follow healthy lifestyle habits, such as staying hydrated, exercising regularly and getting 7-8 hours of restful sleep at night. Most importantly, stop smoking and drinking at least 10 days before donating blood. These substances can stay in the blood for long and harm you as well as the receiver.

4. What should I do on the day of blood donation?

If you are going for blood donation, make sure you do the following.

• Take someone with you to the blood donation centre as you may feel nauseous and dizzy after the procedure.

• Do not donate blood if you are unwell or suffering from an underlying condition.

• Eat well before going to the donation centre, and keep yourself hydrated. However, do not eat very heavy food as it can make you feel sick later.

• Keep your health insurance policy handy for medical emergencies. In case you feel sick after donating blood or there is a medical emergency at any time in the future, you can reach the nearest hospital and opt for the finest treatment. The best health insurance plans in India cover a range of healthcare expenses and save policyholders from financial setbacks.

5. What should I do after donating blood?

You must take the following precautions after donating blood.

• Consume a nutritious diet and drink more water, fruit juices and other healthy fluids.

• Avoid lifting anything heavy for at least 5-6 hours.

• Add more iron-rich food to your diet after donating blood. This will help your body replenish its iron levels.

• Talk to a healthcare practitioner and consider taking an iron supplement.

Conclusion

Although there are a few side effects of blood donation, the symptoms are usually mild and short-lived. The entire process is safe, and a healthy adult can donate a pint of blood without experiencing any health risks. If you take good care of your diet after blood donation, your body will replenish the lost fluids and red blood cells within a couple of weeks. So, if you are fit to donate blood, do not shy away from this kind act. Whether you donate blood to help someone in the family or others, do invest in individual health insurance or a family floater policy to stay prepared for any medical emergency.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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