Is Donating Blood Safe?

Blood donation is absolutely safe if it is done under supervision of experts. There are some very important things that one must known about blood donation.

Who can Donate Blood?

Although Red Cross society (country wise) has their own rules and regulations for blood donation, the basic rules remain the same. Any healthy adult (adult as per country`s law) can donate blood. One time blood donation means giving up 1 pint of blood. This amount of donation causes no harm to a healthy adult. Also, the amount of blood donated is replaced by the body within 24 hours of time. The procedure takes just 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

The donation is often followed by nutritious refreshment so that the donor can overcome any temporary dizziness that may be experienced.

Care After Donation

The donor is asked not to carry heavy items with the arm from which the blood has been donated. Also, the donor is advised not to drive any vehicle right after the donation. Rest of 15 to 30 minutes is advisable.

Who Should not Donate?

Any person who has donated blood less than 4 months ago is strictly prohibited to donate blood. Pregnant women and kids are not allowed to donate blood.

If someone has had sex within 24 hours they must not donate blood. According to some societies, those men who have had sexual intercourse with another man should not donate blood.

Any person, who has recently used an intravenous drug, is a hemophiliac or is suffering from multiple sclerosis, is not allowed to donate blood. Patients of psoriasis, HIV and any type of cardiovascular diseases must not donate blood.

Advantages of Blood Donation

An interesting advantage of blood donation is it helps you lose approximately 650 calories per donation. It is obviously a healthy practice.

Men do not under menstruation. Therefore, blood donation is a good way for men to rejuvenate their RBCs.

The studies are yet to support this observation but many healthy elderly men and women have reported to feel reenergized after blood donation.

Regular blood donation significantly helps those suffering from hemochromitosis. It is a condition in which excess accumulation of iron in blood disturbs iron metabolism and makes blood thicker. Hence, it is dangerous for cardiovascular system.