Blood Donation

cee_jay

Just something I was wondering about after donating blood earlier.
After the blood donation, you are brought across to the table with all the chocolates, biscuits, drinks etc. A nurse brings you across.
Some people were instructed they had to have a cold drink (water/7 Up/Club Orange), the nurse told the guy at the drink station to give you a cold drink first.
Other people were asked tea/coffee/cold drink - their nurse didn't have this stipulation. Why is this?

Tree

First donors and fainters are not allowed hot drinks.

cee_jay

Tree wrote: »

First donors and fainters are not allowed hot drinks.

I am neither. Was my 8th donation, and have never fainted. I only noticed this my last 3 times.
Why would they not be allowed hot drinks though?

Squirm

I believe it relates to your blood pressure. If you have demonstrated low blood pressure during donation I think they like you to have a cold drink, rather than a hot drink, which can further lower your blood pressure (albeit only slightly) and increase the chance of you becoming light headed and dizzy.

cee_jay

Thanks for the answer. I never knew hot drinks could lower your blood pressure slightly which is why I was slightly confused bout it all.

Crasp

cee_jay wrote: »

Thanks for the answer. I never knew hot drinks could lower your blood pressure slightly which is why I was slightly confused bout it all.

my guess is that it raises core temperature and causes the blood to go to the extremities to cool down (like on a hot day).

meg3178

cee_jay wrote: »

I am neither. Was my 8th donation, and have never fainted. I only noticed this my last 3 times.
Why would they not be allowed hot drinks though?

It is now the procedure if the donation was a little slower than expected, or if you are showing signs of tiredness, all can be indicators of slight dehydration after donating. You need fluids quickly to prevent a faint and after having the cold drink, I am sure as a regular donor, you would not have been refused a hot drink. The guidelines now are that if you lose full conciousness, not just become lightheaded, you may not be able to donate again, which as a valuable donor, erring on the side of caution for your well being is better. You can always ring the IBTS and ask, Donor services are helpful.

Andy!!

cee_jay wrote: »

I am neither. Was my 8th donation, and have never fainted. I only noticed this my last 3 times.
Why would they not be allowed hot drinks though?

There has been new studies done (that I was informed of today) that say your 10% less likely to have issues with fainting after giving blood if you have 3 cold drinks before donating. I assume after donating is the same idea.

My first time donating today It was painless which I was very surprised at. When they were taking samples 90 days ago (cause Im a filthy foreigner :pac:) that hurt way more. And I have no pain tolerance whatsoever. I'm squimish too, but honestly never saw the needle or bag.

So if you are worried about these things, don't be, and don't let them prevent you from donating. I'm kinda ashamed I'm 27 and have never donated before, should have been doing it since I was 18.

Laserhead

Donated for the first time back on pancake Tuesday. The free biscuits and 7-up were much appreciated, and the whole process was generally a lot more pleasant than I thought it would be!

Unfortunately, I got a letter this week from the Blood transfusion folks saying that they got a "false positive reaction" to one of their tests, meaning that while I'm perfectly healthy, I'm no longer eligible to give blood for an unspecified length of time.