Side effects of giving blood

Donating blood has its side effects

Most donors of the blood put up excellently with blood donation sessions with virtually no side effects. This noble act on their part usually has no negative consequences on their physiological systems. However, a donor may in some cases feel some side effects, especially if they are a teenager. Those negative effects are most commonly minor, with only as little as 1% of donors experiencing more grave repercussions.

A donor whose body is in good physical shape should give no more than one pint of blood. After a couple of days, this amount will be replenished, with no consequences whatsoever.

Some of the most common negative upshots

Bruises on a small patch of skin can occur as a side effect. It is most frequently a result of incorrect needle insertion. Sometimes the technician inserts the needle in such a way that it goes through the vein, excessively damaging the tissue. That is when subdermal bleeding called a haematoma occurs. It is a condition that settles by itself in the course of a couple of days, through the process of disintegration of the blood deposited under the skin.

A side effect that some donors feel is moderate feeling of vertigo, but it is not considered a serious symptom since it usually withdraws easily and quickly. Some donors, on the other hand, feel as if they are about to faint after giving the blood. They sweat, become pale, feel chilly, exhausted or as if they are about to vomit. Most typically these side effects disappear soon after the procedure of extracting blood is over.

In some rare cases, donors’ condition worsens until they become unconscious. This side effect of donation does not itself pose much of a problem. The medical technicians who work on blood donation events are trained to deal with this kind of situation, and the donor very quickly regains consciousness. The physical injuries that are the result of the fall usually leave a more lasting effect than the extraction of blood itself.

Forestall the side effects of blood donation

Before going out there and donating the precious, life-saving elixir of life for those in need, take a few precautionary measures to avoid any side effects that may spring up. These will greatly diminish the risk of developing side effects of giving blood. Hydrate your body enough, primarily with ample amounts of fresh water. Provide yourself with adequate nourishment, preferably both on the day of donation as well as on the very day of the event. And make sure to get enough sleep prior to and after the giving procedure. These simple yet effective steps will greatly help decrease the risk of developing side effects.