Apart from knowing the various side effects of blood donation, individuals must also be aware of the things to keep in mind before donating their blood. Given below are some of these -
1. Drinking Adequate Amounts of Water
Around half of the donated blood comprises water. The collective body fluids lost during a donation can lead to a drop in blood pressure, thereby making the individual feel dizzy and faint. In order to avoid this side effect after donating blood, individuals must opt to drink around 500ml of water before donating.
Besides, it is also crucial to stay adequately hydrated during the days leading up to the donation. This will help compensate for the fluids lost during the donation and will also help to get the blood volume levels back to normal.
2. Eating Adequately
Drawing blood from the body impacts the blood pressure for a short while. Low blood pressure can result in dizziness, fainting, shivering, etc. These conditions worsen if one is donating blood on an empty stomach.
Eating adequately prior to donation will help keep the blood sugar levels stable. This is important so that donors don’t experience some of the side effects of blood donation, such as feeling dizzy or lightheaded after the donation. Having a snack before donating can also help maintain blood sugar levels.
Donors must ensure that their diet is rich in iron by consuming green leafy vegetables and meats. This can also help avoid the long term effect of blood donation as mentioned above, that is, iron deficiency.
3. Avoiding Vigorous Exercise
While light exercise such as walking is alright, donors must avoid doing any vigorous exercise on their donation day – both before and after donating.
Resting properly is vital to replenish the fluids lost while donating blood. This, in turn, will help avoid some negative effects of donating blood, such as feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
4. Avoiding Drinking or Smoking Before Blood Donation
Nicotine and alcohol can stay in an individual’s bloodstream for quite a long time. Donating blood containing alcohol and/or nicotine can be unhealthy for the recipient.
This is why individuals must avoid consuming alcohol before and after their donation because it might impact hydration levels and delay recovery.
It is always good to plan out a blood donation, and one can also consider consulting a doctor before donating. However, individuals must keep in mind the above mentioned side effects of blood donation and take steps to avoid them.