Posted by Blood donation and blood transfusion is vital and essential healthcare procedure that saves thousands of lives annually. It is a crucial part of the healthcare industry across the globe. Like every organ blood is one of the vital parts of the human body. Due to blood deficiency, a person can encounter serious health complications. Several mishaps like accidents or injuries may cause severe blood loss and the injured may need blood urgently to get saved. There is a global shortage of donors which leads to an inadequate supply of safe blood.
Secondly, patients who suffer from serious blood disorders may also require continuous blood transfusions. These factors make blood donation an indispensable responsibility for the general public, especially the younger generation. Hence, people should become more aware of the importance of blood donation and its role in saving priceless lives. Encouraging people for voluntary blood donation is the need of the hour to overcome the shortage.
Studies indicate that a unit of blood can save up to three lives. This is because one blood unit can be separated into three different components: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Despite the great advancements in the medical sciences and technological practices, humankind has still been unable to create blood technologically. Hence blood donation is the only way through which we can help others in their needs.
But blood donation not only benefits the receiver, it benefits the donor as well. First of all, it gives you a sense of pride. Second, you may be surprised to know the various health benefits of donating blood.
The Health Benefits of Donating Blood
Here are the 6 amazing health benefits you can get when you donate blood.
1. May Reveal Potential Health Issues
Blood donation can reveal any potential health issues that you may not be aware of. Before getting your blood drawn you will receive a free health screening for various parameters. These tests may include your blood pressure, cholesterol, pulse, body temperature, hemoglobin, and others.
After being drawn, the blood will further be tested for sickle cell screening, blood Rh type testing, and various infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, and many more. These tests could reveal if you have any life-threatening diseases. You will also be informed if you have any other blood issues or anything that seems unusual.
2. Helps Reduce the Risk of Hemochromatosis or Iron Overload
Hemochromatosis is a health condition associated with the deposition of excess iron causing iron overload in the body. This condition can affect various organs including the heart, thyroid, pancreas, liver, skin, pituitary gland, joints, and gonads.
Many people are unaware of this condition because the symptoms of this disorder overlap with other common conditions. Hemochromatosis can occur due to excess alcohol consumption, anemia, heredity, or other conditions. Donating blood at regular intervals is an effective way to reduce the risk of iron overload in our body because the removal of red blood cells reduces the storage of iron.
3. It Lowers the Risk of Heart Attacks
The third health benefit of donating blood at regular intervals is that it keeps your heart healthy. Since blood donation helps reduce excess iron stores in your body, it can reduce the risk of a heart attack.
When your body starts to absorb excess iron, it gets deposited in various important organs including the heart. This may cause various heart abnormalities like arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Excess deposition of iron may cause heart attacks as the stored iron constricts the flow in the blood vessels.
However, regular blood donation can lead to the reduction of iron deposition and help in increasing blood flow. This can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks. According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Epidemiology, regular blood donors are 88% less likely to encounter a heart attack than those who do not donate blood.
Additionally, donating blood helps lower the viscosity of the blood which is particularly helpful in individuals with high hemoglobin levels. This reduction in blood viscosity is linked to a lower risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
4. Improves Emotional Well-Being
Donating blood not only connects individuals with their community but also fosters a positive impact by aiding others. This act of generosity contributes to reducing stress and depression, promoting mental health, and establishing a link between helping others and the happiness centers in the brain.
5. Keeps Your Liver Healthy
Another threat of iron overload is how it affects your liver health. The report of the National Center for Biotechnology Information shows that due to the deposition of excessive iron in the body, there has been a significant rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the hepatic expression of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the recent years.
This study further states that the accumulation of iron is not only linked to patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) but also in those who have NAFLD, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Although there can be various other factors contributing to these issues, donating blood may help relieve some part of the iron accumulation and can avert other additional problems in your liver.
6. Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight
As per the Indian Red Cross Society, a single unit of blood donation can burn about 650 calories each time. Every time you donate blood, your body spends energy to replenish the red blood cells that were removed and hence, calories are burned.
Moreover, donating blood benefits you by burning fat and losing weight. This means blood donation can help you in your weight loss journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How blood donation is good for health?
Donating blood at regular intervals may enhance your cardiovascular health. This is because regular blood donation is associated with lower blood pressure and a lower risk of heart attacks. Further, donating blood lessens the thickness of your blood and results in smooth flow throughout your body and reaching your heart quicker.
Can blood donation reduce cholesterol?
Yes, according to studies, regular donation of blood may make your blood less viscous, contributing to reducing the levels of mean total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood. Besides, the additional health benefits of donating blood at regular intervals may include reducing iron accumulation and lowering lipid peroxidation.
What are the criteria for donating blood?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are some basic criteria you must meet to be eligible to become a blood donor. Here are the guidelines:
- You must be aged between 18 to 65 years.
- You must weigh at least 50 Kg.
- You must remain in good health at the time of donation.
- You will be disqualified to donate if you exhibit any symptoms of cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug, or any other infection.
- Your hemoglobin levels should not be less than 12.5 g/dl. Pulse – between 50 and 100/minute with no irregularities.
- Blood Pressure -Systolic 100-180 mm Hg and Diastolic 50 – 100 mm Hg. Temperature – Normal (oral temperature not exceeding 37.50C)
- If you have had a tattoo or body piercing done recently, then you will not be eligible to donate for six months from the date of the procedure.
- You may be temporarily disqualified for blood donation if you have traveled to places where mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, and malaria are endemic, and Zika virus infection is found.
How does blood donation save lives?
By donating each pint of blood you can make a lifesaving difference. Patients with accidents burn victims, patients undergoing surgery or organ transplant, patients battling cancer, or with conditions that need blood transfusion such as sickle cell disease require blood and transfusable blood components such as red cells, platelets, plasma, and others.
The Takeaway
You can derive a sense of pride by donating blood at regular intervals. Knowing that you are contributing to saving lives can give a sense of gratification and also can improve your emotional health. Donating blood not only benefits the receiver, but it also considerably benefits you. It can relieve your stress, give you a sense of belonging, and eradicate the negative thoughts.
Donating blood regularly is a volunteer job. But when you know that you are contributing something to bring a change, it enhances your inner dimension.
Ready to make a difference and boost your health? Visit UBlood today to find a blood donation drive near you and register as a donor!