In this information-explosive era, various statements about unpaid blood donation are like snowflakes flying all around. Some are true and reliable, while others are as elusive as flowers seen through the fog, making it difficult for people to distinguish.
Unpaid blood donation, this noble act of saving others’ lives, has been shrouded in myths and misunderstandings. Today, let’s delve into these myths and uncover the truth together.
Myth 1: You Need to Fast Before Blood Donation, Just Like Having a Blood Test
Truth: No, Fasting Can Actually Be Dangerous
Unlike biochemical tests conducted in hospitals, fasting is not required before blood donation. On the contrary, fasting may lead to low glucose levels in the blood, potentially causing adverse reactions such as dizziness due to hypoglycemia.
To ensure that blood donors are in good physiological condition during donation and to avoid excessive plasma fat levels caused by excessive indulgence, donors are advised to maintain a light diet and get sufficient sleep the day before donation.
Myth 2: Blood Donation May Lead to Disease Infection
Truth: “One Needle, One Person” Ensures Safety
One of the reasons why some people hesitate to donate blood is the fear of infection. However, blood collection agencies currently use needles, blood bags, and consumables that have undergone strict quality inspection and sterilization by the state. These are disposable, sterile products that strictly adhere to the “one needle, one person” principle.
After blood collection, the needles are discarded, and consumables are collected for harmless disposal. Therefore, donating blood at a formal blood bank is safe and will not transmit diseases.
Myth 3: Blood Donation Can Cause Anemia
Truth: The Body Replenishes
The human body has the ability to regenerate blood. When a small amount of blood is donated, the body’s self-regulatory mechanisms quickly replenish the missing blood cells, preventing anemia.
Myth 4: Overeating After Blood Donation Can Cause Obesity
Truth: Only if You Overconsume
Obesity, apart from certain pathological conditions and genetic factors, is mainly caused by an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. The blood volume required for circulation in the human body remains constant.
Donating a small amount of blood, which is quickly replenished within a short period, has no direct causal relationship with weight gain or loss. Therefore, those who worry about gaining weight after blood donation should dispel their unnecessary concerns.
Myth 5: Blood Donation May Affect Fertility
Truth: Blood Donation Has Little to Do with the Reproductive System
The concern that blood donation may affect fertility is unfounded. A person’s fertility depends on the normal development of the reproductive system and the conditions for the growth and development of fertilized eggs, not on whether they have donated blood.
Myth 6: Blood Donation “Drains One’s Vitality”
Truth: Blood Donation Does Not Cause Qi and Blood Deficiency
Blood has the ability to renew itself constantly, and the body’s regulatory mechanisms quickly replenish lost blood. Therefore, blood donation will not lead to “Qi and blood deficiency.”
Myth 7: Blood Donation Can Be Addictive
Truth: Purely Nonsense!
Some people mistakenly believe that those who have donated blood 10, 20, or even more times are addicted to it and feel uneasy when they don’t donate. Blood donation is neither smoking nor drug abuse and has nothing to do with addictive substances like nicotine or morphine.
Physiologically, blood donation is not addictive. Nor will it cause the body to regenerate blood at an abnormal speed or force donors to continue donating due to excessive blood production.
Myth 8: Blood Donation Can Cause Blood Pressure Instability
Truth: Blood Pressure Abnormalities Are Mostly Due to Nervousness
Some blood donors may experience high or low blood pressure after donation. Experts believe that this is often caused by nervousness or excitement. Normal blood donation does not affect blood pressure.
If such a situation occurs, simply resting and keeping emotions stable will help the blood pressure return to normal within a short period, without causing pathological hypertension or hypotension.
Myth 9: After Bleeding, the Immune System Weakens, and Many White Blood Cells Are Lost
Truth: White Blood Cells Are Replenished Within 1-2 Hours
Blood donation does not affect the human immune system. Physiologically, white blood cells constitute the main immune substance in the human body. Red blood cells make up a larger proportion of human blood, while white blood cells are only a part of it.
For a normal adult donating 200-400 milliliters of blood at one time, the donated white blood cells account for only 1%-2% of the total white blood cell count. The lost white blood cells are replenished from the bone marrow within 1-2 hours.
Myth 10: Extensive Nutrition Is Necessary After Blood Donation to Reduce Harm
Truth: Healthy Adults Generally Lack No Nutrition
Given today’s living standards, dietary structure, and nutritional status, healthy adults do not need to supplement various nutritional products after blood donation.
In summary, unpaid blood donation is a noble and selfless act that saves lives and contributes to society. However, due to various myths and misunderstandings, some people hesitate to participate.
By understanding and dispelling these myths, we can encourage more people to join the ranks of blood donors and contribute to this meaningful cause. Remember, every drop of donated blood is a precious gift of life, bringing hope and warmth to those in need.
