What is the benefit of donating blood for the body? Doctor names 6 unexpected benefits

pediatrician, allergist-immunologist, expert of the Medical Faculty of Synergy University

“Donation benefits not only others, but also those who donate blood. And here’s why.”

Blood is a multi-component liquid, it includes plasma (liquid part) and cells: red blood cells, leukocytes (including granulocytes), platelets. Thus, there are several types of donations – whole blood and donation of its components: plasma, platelets, granulocytes.

To whom do we donate blood and how does it happen?

Until the XIX century, bloodletting was considered one of the main methods of therapy for almost any disease. However, it was carried out in unsafe conditions and volumes, and this method sometimes had the opposite effect to cure. Now, especially in Muslim countries and regions, bloodletting in jars – hijama – is popular.

The therapeutic effect here is the same as with blood donation, but the risk of contracting blood-borne infections and being treated by untrained specialists is higher. In turn, blood donation is an absolutely safe procedure for the donor: sterile needles, systems, blood volume of 450 ml (10% of the total) – and his recovery takes three days.

One donation can save up to three lives. Here are a few situations when blood is needed:

• A pregnant woman who has lost a lot of blood during surgery;
• a child diagnosed with leukemia;
• a father of three who lost a lot of blood in a car accident.

There are 38,000 donations needed every day, but statistics show that in the United States, only 2% of the 38% of the healthy population that can be donors are donors.

Health Benefits

Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease

Studies show that regular blood donation can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke (brain damage) and heart attack (damage to other organs).

This is due to a decrease in blood viscosity, which reduces the strain on arteries and blood vessels. And also by slowing blood clotting, which can cause heart attack and stroke.

In addition, in cases where iron excretion is genetically disturbed and its accumulation in the liver occurs, blood donation is a therapeutic procedure.

Improved psychological well-being

Donation brings a sense of satisfaction and pride as it helps to save lives. This has a positive effect on the psychological state of the donor, improving mood and self-esteem. And this is followed by a surge of strength and increased energy, followed by a period of calm and serenity.

Many blood donors benefit from the mental health benefits of knowing that they are helping to save lives. This, in turn, can contribute to better physical health and longevity.

Reducing the risk of cancer

Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that regular blood donation can reduce the risk of cancer by releasing oxidized iron from the bloodstream.

Slowing the aging process

A research paper in the Journal of Basic Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology proves that donating blood reduces oxidative stress, which leads to cell and tissue damage and, in turn, aging.

Calorie burning

While blood donation should never be used as a weight loss strategy, it has been proven that blood donors can burn up to 650 kcal during the blood donation process. This is because the body uses the extra energy to replace the amount of blood donated and synthesize new proteins, red blood cells, and other blood components.

Health checks

To protect recipients (recipients of blood), the donor needs to undergo a large annual checkup, and just before the donation itself, a general blood test, a biochemical test, and a blood-borne infection test are taken. In this way, donors are always aware of their chronic and acute problems, which plays a major role in the timely initiation of therapy.

Tips for donating blood

These tips will help to ensure a safe and successful blood donation. Of course, after consulting your doctor.

Before making an appointment to donate blood:

• get a good night’s sleep;

• include iron-rich foods such as meat, beans, or iron-fortified cereal;
• drink more fluids, but avoid drinks with caffeine, as they can cause dehydration;
• choose clothing in which the sleeves can be raised above the elbow.

After donating blood:

• stand up slowly and rest for a few minutes in the donation center lobby.
• Have a snack to avoid weakness and dizziness.
• drink more fluids, but avoid alcohol for the next 24 hours.
• avoid lifting weights and vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.

Who should not donate blood

Almost any healthy person between the ages of 18 and 60 and weighing more than 50 kg can become a donor. Absolute contraindications are serious illnesses such as:

• Infectious and parasitic diseases;
• oncologic diseases;
• blood diseases;
• diseases of the central nervous system;
• mental disorders;
• diseases of the respiratory system;
• diseases of the digestive organs.

There are also temporary contraindications. These include, for example:

• body temperature above 37°C;
• pulse – less than 55 and more than 95 beats per minute;
• high or low blood pressure;
• exacerbation of gastric and/or duodenal ulcers;
• allergic diseases in the period of exacerbation;
• pregnancy.

Benefits

There is a program to reward honorary donors – those who donate free of charge:

• whole blood or platelets 40 or more times;
• or plasma 60 or more times;
• or whole blood/platelets 25 or more times and plasma a total of 40;
• or whole blood/platelets less than 25 and blood plasma total of 60.

In addition, they have privileges:

• An annual payment of 16,578 rubles;
• annual sanatorium-resort treatment;
• vacation at any time of the year;
• treatment in hospitals without waiting in line.

Muscovites:

• free transportation;
• pensioners 50% discount on housing and utilities;
• free dental prosthetics;
• 50% discount on compulsory medicines in state pharmacies.

Where to donate blood

You can donate blood in the blood transfusion departments of large city hospitals, as well as in the institutions of the Department of Health of Moscow:

• Begovaya Donor Center – 14 Polikarpova St., str. 1, Mon-Fri, 8.00-13.30 (except for public holidays of the Russian Federation);
• Donor Center Tsaritsyno – 31 Bakinskaya St.: Mon-Fri, 8.00-13.30 (except public holidays of the Russian Federation);
• Shabolovskaya Donor Center – 57, Shabolovka St.: Mon-Fri, 8.00-13.30 (except public holidays of the Russian Federation).