Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to give back to society. Many hospitals and organisations like the Rotary Blood Bank, the Indian Red Cross Society, and the Blood Connect Foundation have several camps and drives where you can easily and safely donate blood.
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However, you need to keep certain things in mind before you do so-
Hydrate: Staying hydrated, before and after donating blood, is essential. Since your body is going to be losing a lot of fluids, consuming liquids with glucose supplements is a must. Most hospitals and organisations will provide you with a sugary refreshment and snack once the process is complete.
Haemoglobin: You cannot donate blood unless your haemoglobin level is within a normal range. The lower end of the scale for men and women is 13g/dl and 12.5g/dl respectively. Below this level, you will be asked to wait until your haemoglobin count reaches an acceptable level. To ensure you qualify, eat iron-rich foods like a few days prior to donating like chicken, lamb, spinach, tofu, etc.
Medication: If you’re donating blood, and especially platelets, avoid taking medication that contains acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) for a couple of days. Also make sure to check if any of your prescribed medication could negatively impact the donation process.
Health: It may seem obvious, but poor health is one of the primary reasons why people are not permitted to donate blood. Ensure you’re in good health on the day of donation and haven’t gone through a major medical procedure recently.
Tattoos: The needles used in tattooing may be unsterilized or contaminated, resulting in impurities in your blood that may impede the donation process. If you’ve gotten a tattoo in the past 6 months to a year, you may not be eligible to make a donation.
