What should you pay attention to before and after donating blood? Blood center experts tell you

People's Daily Online, Beijing, June 10 (Reporter Cui Yuanyuan)

On the 10th, the National Health Commission held a press conference on the management of voluntary blood donation and treatment of childhood blood diseases and malignant tumors in my country. What are the effects of voluntary blood donation on the body? Will it harm health? What precautions should be taken before and after blood donation? Liu Jiang, director of the Beijing Blood Center, answered questions at the meeting.

Liu Jiang introduced that for voluntary blood donation, before donating blood, blood donors must strictly follow the laws and regulations and standards to undergo a health check (i.e. a general physical examination), and also answer more than 50 questions. Through the physical examination and answers to the questions, it will be determined whether they can donate blood.

"Blood donation has little effect on the total blood volume in the human body." Liu Jiang pointed out that the World Health Organization believes that for a healthy adult, donating no more than 13% of his total blood volume will have no adverse effects on the body. The total blood volume in the human body is about 7% to 8% of body weight. For an adult weighing 50 kg, the total blood volume is about 3,500 to 4,000 ml. According to the national blood donation standard (200 ml or 400 ml), if we calculate it based on 400 ml, it is 10%, which is lower than the World Health Organization's 13% safe blood donation standard.

Liu Jiang explained that in addition, the human body has a buffering capacity for circulating blood volume. After donating blood, the blood in organs such as the liver and spleen will be replenished in time, and the circulating blood volume will be restored, which will not cause significant changes in hemodynamics. At the same time, the body will also speed up the production of new blood, and the blood can be replenished in a shorter period of time.

"Due to some individual differences among blood donors, some donors may experience brief dizziness or fatigue after donating blood. These are normal physiological reactions and they will recover quickly. Therefore, healthy adults donating blood will not affect their health," said Liu Jiang.

"Of course, there are some simple precautions before and after donating blood." Liu Jiang reminded, for example, before donating blood, you should eat a light diet and maintain normal sleep. After donating blood, protect the needle hole within 24 hours, do not let the needle hole come into contact with water, and do not take a bath. In addition, do not do strenuous exercise, and do not eat or drink a lot, just maintain a normal life.

Therefore, Liu Jiang said that blood donation is safe and will not affect health.