Saving a life can be as simple as donating blood. It is an easy, selfless and almost painless way to help someone in need. Many do not hesitate to donate whenever the opportunity arises, but it is not always possible, due to some time that must be respected. Now, do you really know how often you can donate blood?
According to the Mental Health Foundation, donating blood is not only useful for other people, but it can be for you too, as it can benefit both your physical and emotional health.
However, In most cases, the fear of the pricking and extraction process makes us go back. As a regular donor it is totally understandable and depending on your blood type and your real or suggested phobia of needles, you may or may not shirk with more or less remorse. Think you are saving lives.
If you are one of those who usually donate from time to time or want to get started and receive your donor card, you should know some topics.
There are four types of blood donationsand each has its own rules for donors:
- Whole blood (most common): every 56 days.
- Plasma: every 28 days, up to 13 times a year.
- Platelets: once every 7 days, up to 24 times a year.
- Red blood cells: every 112 days.
#Time change ⌚Today the #weather It will be a recurring theme in many conversations, but#Did you know with only 25′ you can help improve the health of up to 3 patients? #Donate blood and #Save3Lives ❤️❤️❤️See where we are at https://t.co/TBW5QuM3KZ and spend your time in the best way! pic.twitter.com/WDbrykCxKv
— Red Cross Blood Donation (@DonasangreCruzR) March 27, 2022
Now, here are the nuances depending on your gender. Women can only donate 3 times a year because hemoglobin levels are lower than in men. Men, on the other hand, can do it up to 4 times a year and in both cases, it is necessary to wait at least the 56 days specified above.
Women have more inconveniences when donating: you cannot donate if you are pregnant or weigh less than 50kg, or if you suffer from mild anemia, it is better to abstain, although you can donate plasma.
Can some medicines affect how often I can donate blood? Some medications can make you unable to donate, either permanently or short-term. For example, if you are taking antibiotics, you cannot donate blood.
And it is that there are a large number of medications that are best avoided a few days before going to donate, if not, one of the two, or you cannot directly donate, or certain compounds will be left out, for example, platelets if you take ibuprofen. We leave you this Health annex so you can consult it.
Knowing all this, you are just one step away from helping many people. Remember that you can check the hospitals where you can donate.
In addition, companies and municipalities usually put buses at key points to make the donation in situ without having to travel.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism