Surprising benefits of donating blood

Blood is that element in the human body that can't be manufactured. Hence, it makes blood donation a very significant phenomenon. It benefits the patients, the donors, society, and the overall medical ecosystem. However, people are not particularly aware of some of the benefits of donating blood. While some of them are necessarily good for your overall health, some can even surprise you.

Benefits

Potentially reveal health issues
Donating blood gets your vitals checked to make sure you are adequately fit for the procedure. Hence, it can be a process to keep your overall health checked. Your pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin check can ensure that you are free of any chronic illness. Usually, blood low in iron is not taken for donation. As a result, blood donation can find health issues that can be eradicated from the roots.

Reduce harmful overload of iron
Iron overload in the body causes a condition called hemochromatosis. Although this condition is not a usual phenomenon in india, it is important to detect it at the earliest. Blood donations help eliminate the excess iron from the body through red blood cells.

Cardio and vascular health
Regular blood donation maintains low blood pressure and keeps the risk of heart attacks at bay. According to a study, donating blood reduces the chance of heart attacks by 88 percent. High hemoglobin and high iron stores are checked by blood donations that have to do with blood clots and strokes.

Reduce the risk of cancer
A high concentration of iron in the body can cause free-radical damage. It increases the risk of cancer in the lungs, liver, colon, and throat due to the lowering of oxidative stress. Thus, regular blood donations make sure that the risk of cancer and mortality is lower.

Liver stays healthy
Excess iron in the body gets stored in the liver, heart, and pancreas leading to a risk of cirrhosis or liver failure. Various health ailments related to the liver are prevented by donating blood and getting rid of the extra iron in the body.

Help your mental state
With several physical benefits, there are also some psychological edges. As donating blood directly or indirectly helps a patient, it gives a sense of pride and satisfaction. Making a difference in society feels extremely fulfilling and that keeps you in an elated state. Hence, blood donation is equally healthy for your body and mind.

Surprising Benefits Of Donating Blood

Headaches are extremely common   we all are familiar with mild or persistent throbbing ;pain. A number of conditions can result in headaches. Some of these include  


	
	Fatigue
	
	
	Lack of sleep
	
	
	Stress/tension
	
	
	An underlying condition, like migraine ;or sinusitis
	


Recent studies have revealed a lesser-known cause for headaches   ;hypertension, or what is commonly referred to as high blood pressure.

The connection between hypertension and headaches

Hypertension occurs when the force of the blood circulation in the arteries is elevated   this particular condition can lead to steady pain throughout the head, particularly at the back of the head or in forehead.

Hypertension-induced headaches usually affect both sides of the head, particularly the temple regions. However, a person may not even realize that the headaches he/she is experiencing are induced by high blood pressure.

Since hypertension is an asymptotic condition, it is often referred to as  the silent killer . When blood pressure rises above 180/110, the condition is known as  hypertensive emergency .

Different types of hypertension leading to headaches

There are three types of hypertension conditions that are followed by mild to severe headaches:


	
	Malignant hypertension- this refers to a sudden, rapid increase in blood pressure that calls for medical attention. This is more common among young adults and women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
	
	
	Idiopathic ;intracranial hypertension- it is characterized by elevated blood pressure around the brain. Symptoms include vision problems, nausea, ;shoulder pain, thumping noise in the ears, and severe headaches.
	
	
	Hypertensive encephalopathy- this is an extreme condition of high blood pressure, which leads to swelling in the brain. A person with this condition experiences severe headache that becomes worse.
	


Uncontrolled hypertension can be dangerous   headaches induced by such a condition could also become frequent or worsen over time. However, with proper medications and certain lifestyle changes, high blood pressure can be kept under the normal measure. Once your blood pressure normalizes, the headaches will disappear in no time.

How Are Hypertension And Headaches Related?

People suffering from sickle cell disease (scd) usually start showing symptoms very early. They can appear to show up even during the first year of life. Symptoms of a sickle cell vary from one person to another and can be mild to serious depending on the condition.

 

Sickle cell disease is a health condition that worsens with time. Despite the absence of any full-proof solution, some treatments prevent further complications. These treatments can help patients receive aid for a lifetime. Simply said, sickle cell diseases can be managed medically.

 ;

Treatment

Treatment in a sickle cell patient depends on the severity of the symptoms. Preventing complications and relieving pain is the primary aim of the diagnosis. They can range from medications to blood transfusions.

 

Concerns

Some of the concerns that need to be taken care of during the treatment of scd are-

 ;


	
	Prevent painful scenarios
	


A painful episode or sickle cell crisis can be avoided by consuming sufficient fluids, wearing warm clothing, and staying away from sudden temperature changes.

 


	
	Avoid infections
	


Children with sickle cell anemia are made safe from infections by using penicillin. Adults with anemia might need to take penicillin all their lives. Doctors should ensure that all vaccinations in children and adults are periodically done to avoid any infections. However, during the covid-19 pandemic sickle cell patients should take extra care.

 ;

Medications

While there can be numerous ways to manage sickle cell treatment, medications help in a significant way. Some of the prescribed medicines are-


	
	Hydroxyurea- it reduces the frequency of sickle crises. Pregnant women should stay away from this according to experts.
	
	
	Crizanlizumab- this drug injected into the patient can help reduce the sickle crises in adults and children over the age of 16.
	
	
	Voxelotor- it is an oral drug used in children over 12. It lowers the risk of anemia by improving blood flow.
	
	
	Pain-relievers- narcotics to prevent excessive pain can also be used during the treatment.
	


 

Surgical procedures


	
	Blood transfusion
	


It is used to prevent stroke and other related complications in patients. This can increase the number of red blood cells in the body that can help reduce the symptoms.

 ;


	
	Stem cell transplant
	


It is also called a bone marrow transplant and is used to replace affected bone marrow with a healthy one. This procedure is carried out between matched donor and recipient. Although it is a known cure for sickle cell disease, various risks involved make it a less used practice.

 

Can Sickle Cell Be Cured?

Blood donation is a procedure carried out for the noble cause of helping patients and saving lives. As the healthy donor's blood is transfused into the patient, it gives them a new life. That said, the donor has to fulfill a few criteria to be eligible to donate blood.

Eligibility

While any healthy adult of any gender can donate blood, it is advised for males to donate once every three months and for females to donate once every four months. Some of the other criteria are-


	
	Age
	


Any person in the age group of 18 to 65 years can donate blood depending on other factors.


	
	Weight
	


A donor should be at least weigh 45 kilograms in order to be eligible.


	
	Pulse
	


The temperature and pulse of the donor should be normal during the time of blood donation.


	
	Hemoglobin
	


Hemoglobin in the blood should be at least 12.5 grams otherwise the donor stands ineligible.


	
	Childbirth
	


A female donor should have delivered at least 1 year ago and stopped lactation.


	
	Blood pressure
	


Ensuring that the systolic and diastolic pressures are within normal limits is a must.


	
	Malaria
	


One should not have malarial symptoms and not have been treated for the same in the last 3 months.


	
	Tattoo
	


A person should not have had a tattoo in the past 12 months.


	
	Immunization and vaccination
	


A donor should not have had shots for cholera, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus, or plague in the last 15 days.


	
	Cancer
	


A person should be checked for cancer and should not have any signs of cancer in the body.


	
	Infection
	


There should not be hepatitis b, c, tuberculosis, leprosy, or hiv infection in the body.


	
	Diseases
	


A person should not have epilepsy, bleeding disorders, sickle cell, or thalassemia.


	
	Drugs
	


One cannot donate blood if injected intravenously ever. It may cause risk to the recipient.


	
	Heart issues
	


A person willing to donate cannot have any heart disease.


	
	Diabetes
	


People on oral drugs or dieting to control diabetes can donate blood while patients with insulin injections cannot.

 

Strictly prohibited


	
	Ones who have been tested hiv positive.
	
	
	People suffering from cardiac problems, hypertension, cancer, epilepsy, or kidney ailments.
	
	
	Donors who have consumed alcohol in the past 24 hours.
	
	
	Ones with a major dental procedure done in the last one month.
	
	
	Women with miscarriages in the past 6 months.
	



 ;

Know Eligibility Rules For Donating Blood

The world celebrates world blood donor day on the 14th of june to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary and unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood. 

Importance of blood donation

The importance of donating blood is not only to save the lives of thousands of people who are deprived of life but also to save the lives of many more who are affected by the various diseases. ;

 

It has also been seen that when people; e have donated their blood, they have gained many health benefits as it helps in weight loss, helps maintain healthy liver and iron levels, it helps reduce the risk of heart attack and cancer. ;

 

A blood donation can save a life of- ;


	
	Victims of natural disasters, including earthquakes
	
	
	Patients with hemophilia, sickle cell disease, or cancer
	
	
	People who suffer traumatic injuries from being in a car accident
	
	
	Surgery patients
	
	
	Shooting or stabbing victims
	
	
	Women who suffer complications during childbirth
	


 

Blood types that are needed most

It s good to donate if you re healthy. However, there s always a need for specific blood and plasma which are universal and can be used when a patient blood type is unknown. For newborn infants or if a patient's particular blood type is unavailable.

 ;


	
	Type o negative blood is always needed because it can be used in patients regardless of their blood type.
	
	
	Type ab positive plasma can also be transfused to patients with other blood types. 
	


 ;

Donations are constantly needed

Because of their short shelf life of 5 days after being collected, platelet donations are constantly by the blood blank. Red blood cells also have a short shelf life and needed to be used within 42 days after the collection. Cryoprecipitate and plasma can be frozen and stored for up to a year after donation.


 

Some misconceptions about blood donations


	
	The donor will not experience any kind of pain while donating. ;
	
	
	There will be no scarcity of blood in the body after donating the blood as even after the donation the body will have a surplus quantity of blood. 
	
	
	The common misconception everyone has is that they will faint after donating their blood. ;
	
	
	You will be able to resume your everyday activity immediately after donating the blood. 
	
	
	You will not get infected with aids if you donate your blood. ;
	


 

Donating blood is a great way to give back to your community and potentially save a life by only giving up an hour of your time.

World Blood Donor Day: How Can We Save Life By Donating Blood?

Blood is one of the most crucial elements of human existence. It works as a commute for oxygen and various nutrients in reaching the cells. These functions make blood a vital source for the body to operate. That said, india needs 38, 000 blood donations every day, which adds up to 5 crore units required in a year. However, only 2.5 crore units are available against the huge unfulfilled numbers. Hence, it is essential to recognize the importance of blood donation.

 

Why is blood donation important?

While blood donations are essential to help people with surgeries, they are equally vital during cancer treatments, chronic diseases, and gruesome injuries. Moreover, they also benefit the donors in a significant way.

 ;

Types of blood donations

Blood donations are of several types through which a single donor has the potential to help nearly three people.

 

Whole blood donation

It is the most common process of donating blood. One pint of blood collected supports numerous patients in the process. It is, then, divided into different components that aid the donation.

 ;

Plasma donation

The process of plasma collection is carried out through a method called apheresis. It divides plasma from other blood components. Its blood clotting abilities help trauma patients and people undergoing cancer treatment.

 

Platelet donation

The collection of platelets is also done using apheresis. Once identified in the donor s blood, the rbcs and the donor gets other fluids back. Cancer patients are the chief beneficiaries of platelets as they play a prominent role during cancer treatments.

 ;

Double red cell donation

Red blood cells are also collected through the apheresis process. It helps donors to donate twice the dose of a whole blood donation. One can help a patient suffering from blood loss using this method.

 

Advantages of blood donation

Blood donations have several advantages that people should know. They help fight many severe health conditions in the human body. Some of them include-


	
	Loss of blood due to internal or external injuries caused by accidents
	
	
	Sickle cell disease or other abnormalities that affect the blood
	
	
	In the treatment of cancer
	
	
	Cardiovascular or orthopedic surgeries
	
	
	Blood disorders
	
	
	Transplant processes
	
	
	Treatments involving plasma
	


 ;

Covid-19

According to food and drug administration (fda) reports, patients who have recovered from covid-19 can help others by donating blood plasma. They contain antibodies that fight the infection, helping their body fight the virus.

 

Benefits for the donor

Even the donors receive many health and social benefits because of blood donation. Where donated blood saves lives, experts suggest that donors can also benefit from the same. Some of these advantages include:

 ;


	
	Boosting cardiovascular health
	
	
	Maintaining blood pressure
	
	
	Contributing to the community
	
	
	Reducing the iron levels
	
	
	Improving overall health
	



 

Why Blood Donation Is Important?

Don't wait any longer, manage your AYUSH Practitioner online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for AYUSH Practitioner - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES