Fainting after donating bloood?!


Question: I didn't have lunch today, but I had some biscuits and milo before I went. Today was my first time. Felt perfectly all right during blood donation and after. Left the hall at 2.00pm, took a bus, transferred to train, fainted in the train. The odd thing is I fainted almost an hour after I left the clinic, and roughly 1 1/2 hours after donating blood.

My blood pressure fell during donation, but the nurse said it was okay. Will this happen if I donate again? I swear it wasn't psychological, I was fine even after I left the hall.


Answers: I didn't have lunch today, but I had some biscuits and milo before I went. Today was my first time. Felt perfectly all right during blood donation and after. Left the hall at 2.00pm, took a bus, transferred to train, fainted in the train. The odd thing is I fainted almost an hour after I left the clinic, and roughly 1 1/2 hours after donating blood.

My blood pressure fell during donation, but the nurse said it was okay. Will this happen if I donate again? I swear it wasn't psychological, I was fine even after I left the hall.

Some people have trouble donating blood and just aren't able to, especially if they are anemic.
If you really want to give it a try again, make sure you eat a really good meal ahead of time, I try to include something with iron like red meat or egg yolks (with OJ or vitamin C which helps your body absorb it). Drink lots of fluid before and extra-lots of fluid after which helps replentish lost supplies and keeps your blood pressure up.
Make sure those at the blood bank are aware of your reaction this time and they are often able to take a "short pint". Meaning they take about 50-100cc less than they normally would.
Also, donate on a day when you don't have a lot to do. Take it easy later, don't exercise. Put up your feet if you're feeling lightheaded or short of breath.
If you take those precautions and pass out again, I would call it quits. At least you tried.

this was a vaso-vagal episode and is harmless , it may or may not recur.

You have to make sure to eat before you give blood. Most of the time clinics advise donators to eat lots of meat and iron rich foods to help out. Feeling weak, tired, or even fainting is a normal response when you dont have proper nutrients to sustain the body.

Make sure to eat a big meal before you donate again. And rest before you leave the clinic, usually they give free cookies or juice, take advantage of that as well.





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