How to Give Blood

[dreamshark]

The Bloodmobile came today and took away a pint of my precious bodily fluids. I mentioned to the very capable young lady that took my blood that some techs have had a very hard time finding a vein in my arm. Jessica had no trouble at all, but gave me some tips on how to make it all work better:

• Be well-hydrated. Veins are easier to hit when they are round and plump. She suggested drinking an extra glass or two of water if you're planning to give blood later in the day.
• Avoid caffeine (or consume less). Since caffeine is a vasodilater you'd think it would make those veins even juicier. But apparently it has the opposite effect; making the veins larger for the same amount of fluid volume just makes them saggy.
• Relax and think happy thoughts. Stress causes the blood vessels in the extremities to contract in order to gather more blood into the body core. [I wear my iPod and listen to music.]
• Stay warm (same reason). It tends to be a little chilly in the Bloodmobile in the winter. [Next time I'll wear my scarf.]
• Know which arm is your "good arm" for drawing blood. You can't tell by just looking; surface veins aren't the ones they want. A good technician finds the vein by feeling. [my good arm is my left.]
• If your veins are deep, ask for a tech with a lot of experience (see above). [That's what I did, which is how I got Jessica].
• Remember that blood-letting actually does have some health benefits. It's a little like changing the oil in your car, a little at a time. You give away a pint of blood and your body immediately gears up to replace it with nice, new blood cells. [Also, I've noticed that once you get past the needle-stick parts, there is a mild sense of light-headed euphoria that lasts about half an hour. I was having a kind of bothersome day, but I definitely felt better right after I gave blood.]

You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

Comments

[carbonel]

Grump grump grump. They don't want my blood. I've spent too much time in the UK.

Silly buggers.

[pameladean]

They don't want mine either. Not just the UK -- they don't like my sweeties. *snarl*

P.