DONATING Blood.......?

Question

WHATS THE GOOD AND THE BAD????

I ALREADY DID IT....
BUT MY MOM SAID THAT I COULD GET SICK....
SHE SAID I COULD GET ANEMIA....
OR SOMETHING.....

Answer 1

The good is that you can save up to three lives, depending on how your blood is used. It may be used as whole blood, or separated into plasma, platelets, and red blood cells, depending on what the patient needs and whether your blood type matches.

Also, you lose about a pound when you donate. Quick and easy weight loss! And don't forget about the free cookies and juice.

Seriously, though, it's an easy and selfless way to help others, and if you're in good health, you shouldn't notice any ill effects after donation.

The bad - some people get dizzy during donation because your blood pressure can drop very rapidly due to the fluid loss. This is temporary, and usually prevented by eating about half an hour before you go, and/or having something to drink while you're donating, such as orange juice.

Sometimes the nurse may hit a nerve with the needle. Personally, this has never happened to me, ever. Yeah, the needle looks scary, but it's not much worse than a bee sting, and it doesn't last very long. Once the needle is through the skin, you shouldn't feel a thing. If you do, let the nurse know.

You may possibly get a bruise at the needle site. This isn't common, and can usually be treated with an ice pack. They'll give you more details at the donation center.

One caveat: No matter how embarrasing the questions on the form may seem, it is absolutely essential that you are completely honest, or you use the discrete, unlabeled DO NOT USE MY BLOOD barcode at the end of the interview, if you were too embarrased to tell the interviewer the truth at the time. Don't lie. And don't donate blood to get tested for HIV!!! Go to your local Dept. of Health for that. Other people's health and lives are counting on your generosity and honesty.

I'm 25, and I've donated almost four gallons in my lifetime. It's worth it, even if I never see the people that get my blood, because I know I'm doing something worthwhile.

Edit, in response to your additional information:
Good for you for donating!

Your mother is misinformed. You cannot get sick from donating blood. They use a separate, sterile needle for every person. I don't even think you can get sick from people donating who might sneeze or cough on you, because you're supposed to be in good health to donate.

As for anemia, giving blood once will not cause anemia. If you donate regularly - every two months - and you don't ingest enough iron between times, then, yes, you can slowly develop anemia, but donating blood once will not cause anemia.

Your body replaces the fluid you lose within 24 hours so your volume is back to normal. Your body also starts to replace the red blood cells instantly, though it takes your body a bit longer to replace all of them. Females should have a higher iron intake in any case, which will help you replace red blood cells, whether you donate blood or not.

Answer 2

You find out if your anemic or not prior to donating when they prick your finger. I was one point above the limit for being anemia so they let me donate. The thing that hurt the most was when the first nurse attempted to put the needle in my vein and then a second nurse moved the needle. While the blood was being drawn from my body I began to feel really weak so they made me lay down and drink some juice before I got up. I also felt a little sick the next day but as others have said donating doesn't necessarily make you sick, it was just my bodies way of reacting to a temporary decline in the amount of iron in my body. As I am sure you are aware your blood contains a molecule known as hemoglobin which carries all of the iron in your body, each hemoglobin molecule is made up of four iron atoms which bond to the oxygen in your body. Every month each woman loses a significant amount of blood and iron as a result.

Some benefits of donating are satisfaction of knowing you helped someone during a time of need and courage, because that needle is enough to scare many people out of donating.

Answer 3

I donated blood and i never got sick per se. I am really close to the weight limit and i did end up getting mildly anemic but guess what most girls are anyway so all you have to do is either take a vitamin or eat iron rich foods. Being anemic is just a lack of iron that can make you feel tired because your blood is not getting quite enough oxygen. I am going to donate again the anemia was easily cured. Having to take a vitamin and eat some spinich is worth saving lives.

Answer 4

I had worked for the Red Cross for 4 years. I will definitely say that giving blood is a wonderful feeling. It's nothing like knowing you are saving a life with just a few minutes of your time. I will, however, add that no one needs to be fooled by the advertisements that run on television. The Red Cross is never out of blood. They may be running low on certain types that are common, but never out. I have often seen a large 18-wheeler come up to the back dock and take away blood for incineration because it has sat on the shelves too long. The gift of giving is wonderful, but don't look at the 16 gauge needle they use to stick you!

Answer 5

NOO!! You wont get anemia from donating blood unless your hemophiliac or you just loose too much blood and your body cant continue but the amount of blood thats being drawn is monitored very closely and so that it is still safe for you. Your mom is overreacting and need to calm dat stuff down. you did a good thing, keep it up!

Answer 6

Donating blood is a wonderful way to help others, so many ways to use one pint, and more than one person will benefit. It gives a feeling of pride to know you aren't one of the sissies who fear the needle and think of others first. They test you for low blood count (hemoglobin level) prior to taking the blood--when they prick either your ear or finger--they turn you down if it is not high enough. They require a higher level than we consider to be "anemic" and if you are not at least that level, no donating. You cannot become anemic by donating one unit of blood, or become ill from ill. Drink plenty of fluids, esp water for 24-48 hours after and your body replaces it fine. If you get sick, it isn't from donating blood, you were probably already coming down with something

Answer 7

The good is saving lives. Each donation can help three ppl. the cons, Hmmmmmm? none. you are not going to get anemic from blood donations. nothing that your body cannot replenish in a couple days at least. They always check for levels before you are allowed to donate. they won't let you donate if you are not healthy enough. don't yet your mom steer you away from donating blood. if you are old enough to donate you are old enough to decide for yourself. It is a great thing to do. I

Answer 8

Don't worry about anemia :) Your body will replace the blood very quickly! Besides, if you were anemic, they wouldn't have let you donate blood in the first place!

Answer 9

Good for you!

Good: you're helping someone else out!

Bad: well, you have less blood than you did before, you'll feel a little light-headed, you might faint (if you're a person who faints when they see blood)

But they don't take enough out to cause any real problems, they won't let you donate blood if you don't fit the guidelines of weight, etc, they don't want to have to give YOU blood!

Answer 10

Good: Helping a patient who are in need of blood.

Best: Having a rare blood like AB- B- A- and a universal blood type, O and donating it for the good of the human.

Bad: Some mild side effect, like groggy. But temp. say like 5 mins?