Blood is a liquid that circulates through the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to each cell and then taking the waste materials. Blood plays a role in the body’s defense system. Is pumped by the heart, through a network that measures a few km, to any part of the body. The average adult body contains 4-5 liters of blood.
There are four major blood components: red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (WBC), plasma and platelets. In addition blood contains many nutrients and minerals.
You can donate if:
* Have you aged between 18 and 62 years;
* Have a minimum of 50 kg body weight;
* Have your blood pressure by 20 mmHg;
* You not have such diseases: skin diseases, pulmonary sequelae, ulcer surgery;
* It’s been 70 days since the last donation.
If you are hypertensive (up to 20 mm Hg) should know that it is even recommended to donate.
How to donate? It’s simple, you come to a transfusion centers in the area where you live and the staff there will guide you through each stage until departure. To prevent accidents, transfusion is done in strict compliance with certain laws.
Thus, individuals with blood type AB blood can receive without any risk from all other groups, they are called “universal recipients.” But they can not donate blood to people who not have group AB.
Blood group 0 may be transfused to all individuals regardless of group, owners of the group 0 is called “universal donors.”
Group A and AB can receive blood from group A or 0.
Group B groups AB donate and receive only from groups B and 0.
Incompatibility between the blood donor and recipient transfusion lead to shock, manifested clinically by: anxiety, vomiting, fever, chills, thinning heartbeat, back pain and often leads to death.
Useful Tips
Before donation:
* Rest well before the donation;
* Eat something light before donation;
* Drink more fluids to replace the volume that you’ll donate;
* However, avoid tea, coffee or other drinks that contain caffeine;
* Eat foods rich in iron – red meat, fish, liver, beans, cereals fortified with iron, raisins or plums;
* Avoid fatty foods like hamburgers, french fries or ice cream before donating;
* Tests for infections can be affected by fats and lipids.
After donation:
* Immediately after the donation you can have a sandwich and a drink if you feel the need;
* Rehydrate yourself by drinking liquid;
* If you feel dizzy, lie down until the feeling passes.