Follow us

Everything you need to know about donating blood

Donating blood costs nothing and saves thousands of lives every day. Today we share with you some tips for your blood donation

Tomorrow is World Blood Donor Day. This year, as we commemorate the 20th anniversary, we would like to thank all the donors who have saved lives over the years. Because this gesture is vital for millions of people around the world, and to encourage people to donate blood, today we are sharing with you everything you need to know about blood donation.

Before your donation

 

Take care of your nutrition

It is important that you eat regularly before the donation to keep your blood sugar levels stable. This is important so that you don’t feel dizzy or lightheaded after donating. Make sure your diet contains iron-rich foods, such as meats and green leafy vegetables, to help you feel good during and after the donation.

Hydration is essential

Almost half of the blood you donate is made up of water. The fluids you lose during donation can cause your blood pressure to drop and make you feel weak and dizzy.

To prevent this from happening, it is important to drink 500 ml of water immediately before you donate. It is also important to hydrate well in the days leading up to your donation. This will help you to compensate for fluid loss during the donation and to restore normal blood volume levels. It is essential to avoid alcohol before and after donation, as it can affect hydration levels and delay recovery.

 

Low-intensity exercise

Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise on the day of donation, both before and after. It is important that your body is rested so that it can replenish fluids lost during donation, which will help you avoid dizziness and lightheadedness and help you stay well. Light exercise, such as walking, is fine, but make sure you are fully recovered and hydrated before the donation.

Good sleep routine

We recommend that you get 7-9 hours of sleep the night before your donation. This will help you feel more alert at the time of donation, which in turn will reduce the risk of discomfort.

Comfortable clothing

To facilitate access to your veins, it is best to wear clothing with loose-fitting sleeves or even short sleeves, as the sleeve will have to be rolled up past the elbow when donating.

Get informed 

Once you have made the decision to donate and have made the effort to attend your appointment, you will want to be sure that you can actually donate. Although most people can donate, there are some restrictions depending on factors such as health, medication or whether you have recently been abroad.

 

After your donation

Although for many people donating is not a big deal, it is true that it can be a source of respect, especially if you get a little dizzy at the end. So here are some tips for you to do after your blood donation:

  • Relax for a few minutes before getting up and eat something, all clinics will offer you a snack after the donation.
  • Hydrate well after the donation and avoid alcohol for the next 24 hours.
  • Keep the bandage on for the next few hours; to avoid a rash, clean the area around the bandage with soap and water.
  • Do not lift heavy objects or do strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
  • If the needle area starts to bleed, apply pressure and lift your arm straight up for 5-10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
  • If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better; avoid any activity where fainting could cause injury for at least 24 hours.
  • Continue to eat iron-rich foods.
  • If you donate frequently, be sure to take multivitamins with iron to keep replenishing your iron stores before your next donation.