Myth Vs Facts
Myth - Donating blood makes me
feel low.
Facts - However, many people feel that
donating blood makes them feel weak. Again, this is not true. The thread of
truth here arises from the fact that it takes a day or two to replenish the
fluid volume in the body and three months for the regeneration of red cells to
donate more blood.
Myth - One is
advised to take complete rest for a day after donating blood.
Facts - One can easily resume his or her
normal day-to-day routine after donating blood
Myth - Blood
donation is a painful procedure.
Facts - Donating blood is not painful at
all. One only feels a slight pinching sensation when the needle pricks the
arms.
Myth - I should
not donate blood frequently; it will make my body weak.
Facts - A healthy person can donate blood
four times a year with a minimum a 3 month’s gap between each blood donation.
Myth - Can
donating blood make me feel stressed with episodes of a severe headache and
vomiting?
Facts - No, blood donation cannot cause
episodes of a headache and vomiting if the blood pressure of the donor is
within normal limits prior to donation.
Myth - I should
not donate blood frequently; it will lower my body’s immunity level.
Facts - No, your body’s immunity level is
not affected by blood donation.
Myth - Donating
blood frequently can fluctuate my blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Facts - No, the blood pressure and blood
sugar levels do not fluctuate provided the pre-donation values are within
normal limits. A diabetic patient on insulin cannot donate blood.
Myth - Can
donating blood at frequent intervals make my body iron deficient?
Facts - No, a healthy individual with good
eating habits can donate blood four times a year with a gap of three months. It
doesn’t make anybody iron deficient.
Myth - I cannot
donate blood when I am fasting.
Facts - Yes, one should have had a good
meal at least four hours before donation.
Myth - You cannot
be a blood donor if you are on any kind of medication.
Facts - Yes, a person on aspirin,
antibiotics, anti-hypertensive, steroids, hormones, anticoagulants, on inhalers
cannot donate blood
Myth - Can I
donate blood, if have consumed alcohol a day before?
Facts - No, it is not advisable to consume
alcohol a day before donating blood.
Myth - Can I
donate blood, if I smoke regularly?
Myth - Regular
blood donation may lead to obesity.
Facts - Donating blood does not affect your
body weight. However, some people, after blood donation, eat more food than
normal and avoid exercise which may cause weight gain but it is not directly
connected to blood donation.
Myth - I can’t
give blood because I have high blood pressure.
Facts - long as your blood pressure is
below 180 systolic (top number) and 100 diastolic (bottom number) at the time
of your donation, you may give blood. Furthermore, medications that you may be
taking for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.
Myth - I can’t
give blood because I’m diabetic.
Facts - Diabetics may donate blood as long
as the other medical requirements are met. Blood Sugar under control and
stable. However, the use of bovine derived insulin will result in deferral from
blood donation