How often can you donate blood? You can donate whole blood within the gap of at least 8 weeks and if you are donating Power Red then you must give the gap of 16 weeks and if you are a platelet apheresis donor then you can donate with the gap of 7 days but not more than 24 times a year.
Donating blood is the most selfless and painless way of helping others and our friends in need. By donating blood you can actually save a person’s life even if they are far away, your blood donation will help so many people in need and so the question arises that how often can you donate blood?. And are there any certain States of health that are required for blood donating? Through this article, we will tell you in simple ways about blood donation and important information that every person should know who wants to donate blood or is interested to know more about the topic.
Donating blood is also very beneficial to the donor as the studies show that donating blood is good for a person’s mental and physical health which is another reason for supporting and promoting blood donations by helping yourself and others at the same time.
How often can you donate blood according to the types?
When donating blood there are types of donations that require certain components of blood. not all nations contain all the components and some contain the whole blood count.
• Whole blood donation is the simplest and most versatile donation and one needs to wait for every 56 days to donate whole blood again. The whole blood count contains red blood cells white cells, platelets in the liquid suspension of plasma.
• Red blood cells are used for transfusions during surgeries and a person can donate red blood cells every 112 days. Red blood cells donation can only be done by a person three times a year. And those who are under 18 can only donate red blood cells twice a year.
• Plasma donations can be done quite frequently than other donations. a person can donate plasma every 28 days Which means it can be done 13 times a year.
• Platelets are the type that can be donated the most. Platelets help to form blood clots and control bleeding. Platelet donation can be done every seven days which means a person can donate platelets 28 times a year.
But keep in mind that if you give multiple donations of different types the amount of blood donation per year can lower due to different types of blood components. keep the information above in mind when donating blood as it will help you figure out the rules of different donations.
Preparation for blood donation
As simple and painless as the procedure of a blood donation is one still needs to be prepared and not allow any risky situations to complicate the process. There are some points that one should keep in mind before donating blood and a guide to how often can you donate blood.
1.Stay hydrated
Keep your body hydrated before and after you donate cause it takes a lot of fluid out of your body and tries to avoid any drinks that cause dehydration for example alcohol.
2.Consume vitamin c
Eating vitamin C-rich foods Can help you gain the energy that drops after donating blood and also is helpful when you have a vitamin C-enriched diet before donating blood. Some good sources of vitamin C are:
• All types of citrus fruits
• Green leafy vegetables
• Some types of berries
• And melons
3.eat plant-based Iron
After donating blood the iron level drops in your body which is not good for your health and may cause dizziness and fatigue. Make sure to eat plan-based iron to avoid any complications after blood donation. Some good sources of plant-based iron are:
• Nuts and seeds
• Green leafy vegetables like spinach And broccoli.
• Beans and lentils
• Potatoes and soya beans.
4.Medications that affect blood donation
Before donating blood make sure the doctor knows about the medication that you are taking or have taken in the past. Your medical history and your health check-up will be taken by the doctors before you donate blood because it is important to know about your health before you give it to other people.
There are certain medications that do not allow you to donate blood. There is a list of some medications that make you unqualified for blood donating.
• If you have an infection and you’re taking antibiotics to treat it you cannot donate blood while you’re taking those medications.
• Blood thinners and other medications like Antiplatelet drugs can stop you from blood donating and should not be taken if trying to donate blood.
• You can not donate blood if you are taking Accutane for acne treatment.
• If you are taking Hair loss medications or hypertrophy medications you cannot donate blood. Including prospect and Proscar.
• Do not donate blood if you are taking medicines for skin cancer like Vismodegib and sonidegib.
• You are not qualified for blood donation if you are taking psoriasis medications.
The medications listed above and also so many other medicines that can trigger a health risk and people that take your blood through donation so make sure that you tell your doctor about the previous or recent medication that you have been taking before donating blood.
What is the procedure of blood donation?
When you decide to donate blood there are some factors that you need to keep in mind so when you go to the hospital and register for blood donation they will ask you a bunch of questions that will include your medical history and the medication that you’re on, any drug use And traveling history to foreign countries. After you fill out the forms of the registration you will be given all the information about blood donation and will be guided through the whole procedure.
After you have been considered eligible for blood donation they will
check your temperature, blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels As hemoglobin is a carrier of oxygen to your tissues and organs. When the check-up is done You will be seated in a comfortable stretcher and the arm that will be used for your blood to be taken out will be sterilized and cleaned before inserting a needle and the blood will be collected in the blood bag. One pint of blood will be taken out at a time.
After the blood is been taken out you will need some time to relax and the doctors usually recommend a light snack and natural juice to give you some energy and then you are free to go and your blood donation went successfully.
The different time factor is required for the different type of blood donations. It usually takes two to three hours for common blood donation but in the case of a specific component donation the time factor might differentiate from the normal ones and two needles are inserted in each arm for the process. Because if only one component is required for example platelets then all the other components need to be given back to the body through another syringe.
Steps for donating blood
Blood donation is not a very complicated process and it only takes a few steps to complete the donation.
1. Registration
One needs to be registered before they go for donating blood. The information about your health, medical history, and other important information is filled out in the forms and if you’re eligible for donating blood then you might get registered and carry on the process of becoming a blood donor.
2. Mini physical checkup
After registration, a member of the medical team or a doctor will examine you and check for any possibility that might stop you from donating blood. The check-up includes your blood pressure, temperature, your medical history, and the places that you have traveled to recently. some tests will be taken to find out the blood type. the doctor will ask whether you have recent tattoos or piercings. Some blood tests will be taken to check for any diseases.
3. Donation
After registration and physical checkup when you are eligible to donate blood then you will be taken to a comfortable place where you will lay down and the doctors will insert a sterile needle in your arm where the blood will be taken out. one pint of blood will be taken out and it only takes about 10 minutes if you’re donating whole blood but if you’re specifically donating platelets or plasma then it will take two the three hours as it is a process where the rest of the components will be given back to you through another syringe.
After donating blood you will be given a strip to put it on the place where the needle was inserted and put pressure on it so that it forms a clot and stops bleeding.
4. Snacks and refreshments
Donating blood can be exhausting and energy-taking so make sure to keep yourself hydrated and consume refreshing juices and snacks that revitalize energy in your body. The doctors recommend snacking on healthy food and fresh juices right after you donate blood.
Factors that stop you from donating blood
There are some factors that prohibit you to donate blood. The factors are listed below:
1.Flu or any illness
You cannot donate blood if you have a cold or flu because for blood donations you have to be completely healthy and free of any illness. A healthy body is the First Step for becoming a blood donor.
2.Recent piercings
If you have done any recent piercings or tattoos then there is a chance that any infection was transferred through the syringe. in that case, it’s risky to donate blood after getting recent piercings or getting tattoos.
3.Pregnancy or miscarriage
If a person has recently been through pregnancy and has given birth then you are not eligible to donate blood as you’ve already lost blood and not in the condition to donate it. and same goes for miscarriage or abortion, after such events you cannot donate blood.
4.Traveling to foreign countries
If you’ve been to a country that has high risks of any disease or malaria infection then it is not safe for you to donate blood because it will only create risks of transferring any disease.
5.STD’s and ■■■
If someone tests positive for STDs, Viral hepatitis, or ■■■ then one must not consider donating blood as it transfers the same health problems to someone who’s getting the donated blood.
Is it healthy to donate blood regularly?
The studies do show that a blood donation is healthy and does not have any health risks if one does not overdo it and keeps in mind to follow the rules and instructions. Very frequent donation of blood might reduce the weight of the donor and is not appropriate for everyone. obese people can donate blood regularly which can help them get rid of the unwanted weight and but also save that person from cardiovascular disorders. however, a person should always consult a doctor before adopting any source of weight loss method.
Blood donation varies from different types and depends on what component of blood you are donating more and it might cause some health issues if you keep donating the same component over and over again regularly which is not safe. even after knowing that donating blood is healthy but in a moderate amount. Talk to your doctor before deciding to regularly donate your blood to avoid any health risks.
Health benefits of donating blood
Blood donations help people all over the world with different kinds of diseases, sickle cell anemia, blood disorders, and cancer. as we know that we people are the only source of human blood and it cannot be produced in any other way. so blood donating is very important and you should also consider saving up blood for your own self at times of need. Blood donation doesn’t only benefit the receiver but is also good for the health of the donor. some important health benefits of donating blood are listed below.
1. Lowers the risk of cancer
Donating blood can prevent the risk of some types of cancer. The cholesterol levels in the body remain healthy When you donate blood. It lowers the risk of cancer.
2. Heart and liver health
The overload of iron in the body can cause heart and liver problems. A healthy amount of blood donation prevents the overload of iron from happening in the body. Intake of iron-rich foods can cause an overload of iron in the blood which can cause some problems because the body only absorbs a selective amount that is needed for the proper nourishment so the remaining iron is then stored in the heart, liver, pancreas, and Creates heart abnormalities such as irregular heart rhythms. Blood donation helps in decreasing the risk of such health problems from happening and keeps iron levels healthy.
3. Maintains weight
One of the great benefits of blood donation is that it keeps your weight healthy and does not let you gain unhealthy weight as blood donating can reduce weight and is good for obese people and it also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. although blood donation should not be done very frequently as sometimes it can cause some health issues so always consult your doctor before doing so.
4. Reduces risk of Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a disorder caused by excess iron absorption in the body. This condition is usually caused due to hereditary reasons or alcoholism. Anemia and some other disorders might also be the reason to trigger hemochromatosis. Blood donation reduces the risk of hemochromatosis by maintaining iron absorption in the body.
5.Production of new blood cells
After you donate blood your body starts to replenish and produces new blood cells which is a good thing as it helps to maintain good health.
safety precautions for donating blood
If you’re donating blood for the first time there are some things that you should keep in mind before going through the process. There are some important do’s and don’ts in the chart below.
|Do’s |Don’t’s|
|—|—|—|
|1. Drinking lots of water and keeping your body hydrated |Drinking alcohol and dehydrating your body for donating blood|
|2. Eating iron-rich foods like meat, fish, poultry, and eggs helps in creating new blood cells. consuming iron-based proteins like green leafy vegetables, lentils, and beans.|Eating unhealthy and fried food. Consuming processed foods that clog the arteries.|
|3. Getting a proper sleep of 9 to 8 hours before donating blood and resting after blood donation |Taking aspirin before donating blood and not getting any proper sleep.|
Your body needs an extra boost after you donate blood as blood donation temporarily decreases the hemoglobin level in your body so keep in mind to eat lots of iron-rich foods and replenish your blood cells. some foods that help in maintaining your iron levels are strawberries, bell Peppers, leafy vegetables, and lentils. Meat, fish, poultry, and some type of nuts can also help in maintaining hemoglobin levels in the body after blood donation.
Avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages and it will only dehydrate your body which is not a good sign if you are donating blood or you have donated blood. Keep your body hydrated as possible because your body needs a good amount of fluid to replenish the blood that it has lost. Avoid heavy exercises after blood donation and sleep properly for 9 to 8 hours.
Side effects of blood donation
It is normal for a person to not experience any side effects after donating blood because it is a safe and healthy practice done by professionals but somehow everybody is different and some things might affect some people like the most common and harmless side effect is the bruising on the area where the needle had been injected. people with low blood sugars might experience dizziness and cold sweats after donating blood. Some serious side effects of blood donation are nausea and fainting. while physical weakness is normal after blood donation.
Benefits of donating blood
Blood donations improve both the physical and mental health of a person and are an overall healthy procedure. some main benefits that a person receives after donating blood are listed down below.
• After donating blood you will feel a visible reduction in stress and will automatically decrease anxiety levels which is one of the best benefits of donating blood.
• Your overall physical health improves and maintains your cholesterol level. donating blood benefits the health of your heart.
• Your emotional health will be drastically changed and you will feel happy and less worried.
• Depression and isolation thoughts will reduce and blood donating also promotes healthy hormones to your brain and improves your mental state.
• Blood donation can also reduce the risk of heart attack or any other heart disease which is caused by higher levels of iron absorption.
Health checkup for blood donation
One of the good things about the blood donating process is that you get to have a free health checkup while they test you if you are eligible for blood donating or not. Trained professionals take the screening tests before the donations. You get to have a free checkup of your pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and hemoglobin levels.
You will also get a chance to know more about your health because the process of blood donation also requires your checkup regarding any diseases if you have any. The checkup of diseases include
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• ■■■
• West Nile virus
• Syphilis
• And Trypanosoma cruzi.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Can I donate blood every month?
No, donating blood every month is not a healthy practice at all. A healthy adult male can donate blood with the gap of every three months while a female can donate it with the gap of four months.
2.How often can you give blood UK?
Currently in the UK men and women can give blood after every 12 and 16 weeks respectively.
3.Does donating blood lower your immune system?
Donating blood can affect temporary some immune cells like antibodies and circulating serum protein. Because donating blood reduces red cells for a while.
4.What are the disadvantages of blood donation?
These are the disadvantages of blood donations.
- The pros
- Time
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Bruising
5.What is the best blood donation to give?
Both O negative and positive is the best type of blood that you can donate. O negative is the rarest kind of blood and it also suits every type of blood.
6.Can you donate 2 pints of blood a day?
It is allowed to donate 2 units of Power Red cells during one donation.
7.How long does it take to recover from giving blood?
The body replaces the donated blood within 48 hours. It takes 4 to 8 weeks to replace donated red blood cells completely.
8.Do blood donors live longer?
A recent study shows that the people who donate blood regularly have less risk of death than the people who donate rarely. Regular blood donors have less risk of ■■■■■■■■■ death.
9.At what age should you stop donating blood?
There is no specific age limit for not to donate blood, as long as you are healthy and fit you can donate blood.
10.Is donating blood good for your heart?
Regular blood donations make blood pressure lower that is good for your heart health that means donating blood on regular basis is good for your heart and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion
So basically the answer to the question that how often can you donate blood is that it depends on the type of donation that you are doing which is whole blood count, red blood cells, platelet donation, or plasma donation. these are the different types of blood components and they take different time periods to recover after donating it once. You can donate whole blood after every 56 days. red blood cells can be donated Three times a year because recovery time for red blood cells is slower. Plasma donation can be done every 13 days which is A frequent donation you can give. However, platelet donation is the type that you can donate most often which is 28 times every year.