If you have donated blood even once, you are a special person and the contribution that has been given is priceless. To donate one’s blood is driven by many factors including self-awareness to serve, wanting to help patients who may be made up of relatives and friends, or as a result of the influence of friends and relatives.
As we all know, blood is an important component of health care. The need and demand for blood are increasing as a result of advances in medical technology and the increasing number of government and private hospitals.
Treatment of cases such as heart surgery, organ transplantation, treatment of thalassemia patients, hemophilia, and anemia requires a blood transfusion.
Here are 4 things that you should consider before donating your blood
1. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages cause dehydration. Try to avoid 24 hours before donating. If you consume alcohol, do not forget to replace the lost water with plain water.
2. Fatty foods
Foods high in fat such as ice cream and fries can affect the tests performed on your blood. If your blood cannot be tested, its safety cannot be verified.
3. Iron seasoning
Some foods can interfere with the absorption of iron by the body. You do not have to stop eating this but reduce the amount. Among the foods are:
- Coffee and tea.
- Chocolate.
- Red wine.
- Foods are high in calcium such as milk and cheese.
4. Aspirin
If you want to donate platelets (one of the components in the blood), you need aspirin-free 48 hours before donating.
Do not hesitate to donate blood. There are almost no side effects from this noble practice. In fact, there are many advantages. In addition to helping others, you also benefit from it.
Sources: HelloDoktor.com
