pediatrician, allergist-immunologist, expert at the Faculty of Medicine of Synergy University
“Donation not only benefits others, but also those who donate blood. And that’s why”.
Blood is a multicomponent liquid, it includes plasma (liquid part) and cells: erythrocytes, leukocytes (including granulocytes), platelets. Thus, there are several types of donations: whole blood and donation of its components: plasma, platelets, granulocytes.
Who do we donate blood to and how is it done?
Until the 19th century, bloodletting was considered one of the main methods of treating almost any disease. However, it was carried out under unsafe conditions and volumes and sometimes this method had the opposite effect of the treatment. Nowadays, especially in Muslim countries and regions, shedding blood in jars (hijama) is popular.
The therapeutic effect here is the same as with blood donation, but the risk of contracting blood-borne infections and ending up with poorly trained specialists is higher. In turn, blood donation is an absolutely safe procedure for the donor: sterile needles, systems, blood volume of 450 ml (10% of the total) – and its recovery occurs in three days.
One donation can save up to three lives. Here are some situations when blood is needed:
a pregnant woman who lost a lot of blood during surgery; a child diagnosed with leukemia; a father of three who lost a lot of blood during a car accident.
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38,000 donations are needed every day, however, according to statistics, in the United States, of the 38% of the healthy population that can donate, only 2% are donors.
Health benefit
Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Research shows that donating blood regularly can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke (damage to the brain) and heart attack (damage to other organs).
In 1998, the American Journal of Epidemiology published an article that found that regular blood donors were 88% less likely to have a heart attack than non-donors.
This occurs due to a decrease in blood viscosity, which reduces the load on arteries and blood vessels. It also slows blood clotting, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Furthermore, in cases where iron excretion is genetically altered and accumulates in the liver, blood donation is a therapeutic procedure.
Improved psychological state.
Donating generates a feeling of satisfaction and pride because you help save lives. This has a positive effect on the psychological state of the donor, improving mood and self-esteem. And this is followed by a surge of strength and an increase in energy, after which a period of calm and serenity begins.
Also read:
How to understand that you are psychologically exhausted. 3 obvious signs
Many blood donors benefit from the mental health benefits of knowing they are helping to save lives. This, in turn, can contribute to improved physical health and longevity.
Reduce the risk of cancer
Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that regular blood donation may reduce the risk of cancer by releasing oxidized iron from the bloodstream.
Slow down the aging process
A scientific article published in the Journal of Basic Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology shows that blood donation reduces oxidative stress, which causes cell and tissue damage and, in turn, aging.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Burn calories
Although blood donation should never be used as a weight loss strategy, it has been proven that blood donors can burn up to 650 kcal during the blood donation process. This is due to the fact that the body uses additional energy to replace the amount of donated blood and synthesize new proteins, red blood cells and other blood components.
health check
To protect recipients (recipients of blood), the donor must undergo a comprehensive examination every year and immediately before donation, a general blood test, a biochemical test and an analysis for blood-borne infections are performed. Therefore, donors are always aware of their chronic and acute problems, which plays an important role due to timely initiation of therapy.
Also read:
What are the dangers of blood clots and how to prevent them from occurring, the doctor explained
Tips for donating blood
These guidelines will help ensure a safe and successful blood donation. Of course, after consulting a doctor.
Before you sign up to donate blood:
have a good night and sleep; Include iron-rich foods, such as meats, beans, or iron-fortified cereals; drink plenty of fluids, but avoid caffeinated drinks, as they can cause dehydration; Choose clothing that allows the sleeves to rise above the elbow.
Photo: istockphoto.com
After donating blood:
Get up slowly and rest for a few minutes in the donation center lobby. Have a snack to avoid feeling weak and dizzy. Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol for the next 24 hours. Avoid heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for the rest of the day. day.
Who should not donate blood?
Almost any healthy person between 18 and 60 years old and weighing more than 50 kg can become a donor. Absolute contraindications are such serious diseases as:
infectious and parasitic diseases; oncological diseases; blood diseases; diseases of the central nervous system; mental disorders; respiratory diseases; diseases of the digestive system.
There are also temporary contraindications. These include, for example:
body temperature greater than 37°C; pulse – less than 55 and more than 95 beats per minute; high or low blood pressure; exacerbation of stomach and/or duodenal ulcers; allergic diseases during exacerbation; pregnancy.
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Privileges
There is a program to reward honorary donors, those who donated for free:
whole blood or platelets 40 times or more; or plasma 60 times or more; or whole blood/platelets 25 times or more and blood plasma in a total amount of 40; or whole blood/platelets less than 25 and blood plasma in a total amount of 60.
Additionally, they have privileges:
annual payment of 16,578 rubles; annual treatment in sanatoriums and resorts; holidays at any time of the year; treatment in hospitals without waiting lists.
For Muscovites:
free trips; retirees 50% discount on housing and communal services; free dentures; 50% discount on mandatory medications in state pharmacies.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Where can you donate blood?
You can donate blood in blood transfusion departments of hospitals in large cities, as well as in institutions of the Moscow Health Department:
donor center on Begovaya – st. Polikarpova, 14, building 1, Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (except holidays in the Russian Federation); Tsaritsyno donation center – st. Bakinskaya, 31: Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (except holidays in the Russian Federation); donor center on Shabolovskaya – st. Shabolovka, 57: Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (except holidays in the Russian Federation).
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