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What to Eat Before & After Donating Blood: Key Tips

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Blood is among the most important fluids in our body. It helps transport oxygen from the lungs to your body’s cells and keeps them functioning properly. Hence, a lack of blood in the human body or its excessive loss in an accident can be dangerous. This is when donated blood can come in handy.

Blood donation is a voluntary act that can save the lives of accident victims and people with life-threatening conditions. If you are healthy and eligible for blood donation, you can donate blood every three months and help others. However, make sure you take extra care of your health before and after blood donation to avoid feeling sick and dizzy. Also, keep a health insurance policy handy for medical emergencies. You can easily find some of the best health insurance policies online and buy them with a few clicks.

Read on to know about some important blood donation tips.

How Do Hospitals Use Donated Blood for Other Patients?

health and free of medical conditions can donate blood. The blood of the potential donors is also screened for various diseases to prevent their transmission.

Also, prior to transfusion, the donors’ blood is tested for additional proteins or antibodies, as these can lead to adverse reactions in the recipients.

Here’s some important information about blood:

1. Plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets are the four primary components of blood.

2. Each component of blood can be used separately for different conditions, such as anaemia, cardiac surgeries, blood-related conditions, cancer, and more.

3. Some people may experience an adverse reaction to blood transfusion. The most common ones are allergic and febrile reactions.

4. Researchers also use donated blood to develop new treatments for blood-related conditions. In most cases, blood unsuitable for transfusion is used for developing therapies and treatments.

Blood Donation Tips – Dos and Don’ts Before Donating Blood

According to experts, blood donation is healthy for both the donor and the receiver. However, there are certain things that you must keep in mind before and after donating blood to prevent feeling sick and dizzy.

If you are donating blood for the first time, here are some tips that can be useful:

1. Things to keep in mind before blood donation

• Take someone with you:

Do not go to the blood donation centre alone. Blood donation can lead to an abrupt drop in blood pressure as well as cause dizziness. Hence, it is important to take someone along in case you feel sick.

• Eat well and stay hydrated:

Take care of what you eat and drink before and after blood donation. Eat a light yet healthy meal and stay hydrated to prevent low blood pressure and associated symptoms.

2. Things you must not do before donating blood

• Do not donate blood if you are unwell:

Avoid donating blood if you are ill or suffering from an underlying medical condition. Donating blood when you are not well will make you more sick. Getting body piercings done in the past three months will also make you ineligible to donate blood.

• Do not donate blood on an empty stomach:

Make sure you eat well before donating blood to prevent low blood pressure, dizziness, shivering, fainting, and other related health issues.

• Do not smoke or drink:

Blood containing alcohol or nicotine can harm the receiver rather than do any good to them. So, if you plan to donate blood soon, stop smoking and drinking, as both of these substances can stay in your blood for a long time.

What to Eat Before Donating Blood?

Blood donors should take extra care of their diet to prevent feeling sick after the donation procedure.

So, if you wish to donate blood any time soon, make sure you include nutritious food in your diet to prevent deficiencies later. This will also ensure that the receiver gets better quality blood that can help expedite the person’s recovery process.

If you are wondering what to do before donating blood or what to eat to minimise the side effects of blood donation, we have curated a list for you.

1. Foods rich in Iron

Some iron-rich foods are:

◦ Bread and cereals

◦ Whole white bread

◦ Enriched pasta

◦ Wheat products

◦ Almonds and raisins

◦ Fruits such as strawberries, watermelons, apricots, figs, and dates

◦ Vegetables like spinach, green peas, sweet potatoes, beet greens, string beans, kale, collards, and chard

◦ Seeds of sunflower

◦ Chickpeas

◦ Eggs and meat

◦ Seafood

2. Foods containing Vitamin C

Vitamin C also maintains the bones, blood vessels, and cartilage, protects cells, and supports overall health.

Some vitamin C-rich foods are:

◦ Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons

◦ Fruits, such as strawberries, blackcurrants, and kiwi

Vegetables, such as broccoli, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, capsicum, tomatoes, and leafy greens

In addition to healthy foods, drink plenty of water before and after donating blood.

Inadequate hydration can make you sick and ineligible for blood donation.

Advantages of Donating Blood

Blood donation offers many health benefits to the donors. The following are the advantages of donating blood regularly:

1. Good heart health:

One of the main advantages of blood donation is better pressure levels and reduces the risk of heart attacks. It can be particularly beneficial for those with high blood pressure. alleviates the chances of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.

2. Keeps weight in check:

According to researchers at the University of California, blood every few months, only with the aim of losing weight.

3. Reduces the risk of cancer:

Blood donation helps maintain healthy levels of iron in the body, thereby lowering the risk of cancer.

4. Benefits your emotional health:

The very thought of donating blood to help negative feelings and improve your overall emotional well-being.

5. Better heart, liver, and pancreas health:

Blood donation reduces the risk of of iron on a regular basis, the excess gets stored in the heart, liver, and pancreas. Excess iron in these organs elevates the risk of liver failure, cirrhosis, and irregular heart rhythms. It may also damage the pancreas. Blood donation can reduce iron levels in your body and alleviate the risk of these conditions.

6. Prevents hemochromatosis:

This is a condition related to excessive absorption hemochromatosis with regular blood donation.

Disadvantages of Donating Blood

The disadvantages of donating blood are:

1. Pain and bruising:

Some people may experience pain, bleeding, and bruising at the site where the needle is pricked.

2. Nausea and dizziness:

Blood donation can lower blood pressure in some cases, and this can result in nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness.

3. Weakness or fatigue:

This happens due to low blood pressure after blood donation.

What Should You Avoid Before Donating Blood?

Certain things can stay in your blood for a considerable period and harm the receiver, who may already be suffering from any other health issue. Hence, it is wise to avoid consuming these things days before you donate blood. Some important things to avoid before donating blood are:

◦ Alcoholic beverages

◦ Nicotine from smoking

◦ High-fat foods

What to Eat and Drink After Donating Blood?

If you’re pondering what to eat after donating blood, we have listed some food items for you to keep handy.

After donating blood, ensure you include more nutritious foods in your diet, especially those rich in iron and vitamin C. Some healthy options are spinach, cashews, almonds, raisins, green peas, wholemeal bread, apricots, tomatoes, oranges, eggs, and meats.

Also, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. This can help prevent an unexpected or rapid drop in blood pressure.

What to Do After Donating Blood

It is important that you take special care of your diet after donating blood. Consume more nutritious foods and drink plenty of fluids, such as water, fresh fruit juices, herbal tea, and broth.

In case you feel dizzy, avoid doing anything strenuous and rest for some time. Do not lift heavy objects and avoid working out till you feel better.

If you feel light-headed, dizzy, and fatigued for many days, make sure you see a doctor without delay.

Since medical expenses can burn a hole in your pocket, make sure you take an adequate health insurance policy. This will keep you at peace during medical emergencies and help you opt for quality and timely treatment without worrying about your finances.

What are the Side Effects of Donating Blood?

Bleeding, bruising, and pain can subside on their own after a while. In case of severe pain or bruising, you can apply a cold compress or take a painkiller after consulting a healthcare practitioner. You must not take certain painkillers after blood donation, and do not opt for self-medication.

Conclusion

These are some important things related to blood donation. It is important that you take good care of your health before and after donating blood.

Also, considering the increasing incidence of health issues, make sure you keep a health insurance policy handy for those uncertain times. In case you are diagnosed with a health condition that requires hospitalisation, you can use your health insurance policy to avail of the finest treatment without fretting about the bills.

FAQs

1. Which person cannot donate blood?

Here is a list of individuals who cannot donate blood:

◦ Less than 18 years

◦ Very low haemoglobin levels

◦ Diagnosed with certain infections and diseases (HIV, malaria, cardiac problems, asthma, epilepsy, etc.)

◦ Recently undergone surgeries

◦ Using medications like blood thinners

◦ Pregnant and breastfeeding women

◦ Drug and alcohol addicts

◦ Recent travel to an infection-prone place

2. Who is eligible for blood donation?

You are considered eligible for blood donation if you fall under these categories:

◦ Aged between 18 and 65

◦ Minimum body weight of 50kg

◦ Good health condition with no diagnosis of diseases, injections or recent surgical processes

◦ No travel to any infection-prone places in the recent past

◦ No self-injected drugs for recreational purposes, or high-intensity sexual activities in the last year

◦ Not pregnant or breastfeeding

3. Who can safely donate blood?

You are eligible for safe blood donation in the following cases:

◦ Aged between 18 and 65

◦ Minimum haemoglobin levels of 12.5g/Dl

◦ Minimum body weight of 45 to 50kg (may vary slightly in your area)

◦ Regular pulse, proper blood pressure and normal body temperature levels

◦ No infections like Hepatitis B or rabies in the last 1 year

◦ No diagnosis of diseases, injections or surgeries in the recent past

◦ No tattoos or skin piercings in the recent past

◦ No dental procedures in the last 72 hours

◦ No antibiotics and alternative medications in the last 48 hours

◦ No alcohol or drugs in the last 24 hours

◦ Not going through your menstrual cycle

◦ No critical ailments like diabetes, cardiac issues, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, lymph nodes swelling, kidney or liver diseases, TB, etc.

To ensure the blood donation process is safe, give priority to your food. Know what to eat before donating blood, so that you don’t feel tired or dizzy. If you donate blood in the morning, you should know what to eat for breakfast before donating blood to stay safe. Pack your breakfast with iron, Vitamin-C and protein-rich options to feel good after donating blood. Keeping yourself well-hydrated is equally important.

4. Can a diabetic person donate blood?

Yes, you can donate blood if you are diabetic, provided your blood sugar levels are well- maintained. You should regularly monitor your sugar levels, take proper medications to keep them under control and lead a healthy lifestyle to be free from complications. Also, you shouldn’t have reported a spike in your blood sugar levels for at least two consecutive days before donating blood to become eligible for donation.

If you feel discomfort like dizziness, bleeding, bruising or any medical emergencies, you can use your health insurance policy to cover your hospitalisation expenses.

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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