What to know if you want to donate blood?

What to know if you want to donate blood?

General Guidelines for Blood Donation

• Be in good general health and feeling well.
• Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states).
• Weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Have not donated blood in the last 56 days.

Should I eat before I donate blood?

Try to eat 2-3 hours before your donation to keep your blood sugar stable. Avoid fatty and rich foods that can block iron from being absorbed into your blood. Don’t skip the snacks: After your donation, you’ll be offered refreshments and it’s strongly advised that you eat and drink to refuel your body.

What should eat after blood donation?

What To Eat And Drink After Donating Blood:

• Drink Plenty Of Water: Water helps in controlling the blood pressure that can drop after you have donated blood.
• Eat Iron-rich Foods: These will help restore the iron levels in your body.
• Eat Food Rich In Vitamin C: These will help absorb iron better in your body.

Should I drive after giving blood?

So a few precautions are necessary: do not compete right after the donation and avoid strenuous activity for twelve hours after donating. Give your body a day to replace the volume you donated. Please consult with your coach or trainer to ensure it is appropriate for you to donate on the day of the blood drive.

Can a girl donate blood?

Any healthy adult, both male and female, can donate blood. Men can donate safely once in every three months while women can donate every four months. Donor should be in the age group of 18 to 65 years. Donor should be in the age group of 18 to 65 years.

Should I work out before donating blood?

While each person’s body experiences different recovery times, the American Red Cross recommends waiting at least five hours after a donation before engaging in heavy exercise or lifting. If you are a student athlete, wait about 12 hours or more before resuming strenuous exercise, depending on how you feel.

What to eat before donating blood and what to avoid?

Drink an extra 16 oz.

Eat a healthy meal,avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers,fries or ice cream.

Wear a shirt with sleeves that you can roll up above your elbows.

Let us know if you have a preferred arm or particular vein that has been used successfully in the past to draw blood.

Relax,listen to music,talk to other donors or read while you donate.

What to eat before giving blood?

Strawberries, watermelon and dried apricots are also nutritious sources of iron to include in your morning meal before donating blood. Eating enriched bread and instant breakfast drinks are other good ways to get iron in your breakfast before donating.

Is it OK to drink alcohol before donating blood?

Try to avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before giving blood. If you do drink alcohol, make sure to compensate by drinking extra water. Foods high in fat, such as french fries or ice cream, can affect the tests that are run on your blood. If your donation can’t be tested for infectious diseases, then it can’t be used for transfusion.

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