Once all the formalities are completed, you will be taken for the blood donation procedure. A temperature check is first performed to see that the body temperature is normal. The blood pressure is also taken to ensure that the candidate is in proper health and state to donate. These tests are done keeping in mind your well being. As you proceed towards the donation, you will be asked to lie down on a table or a bed. A part of your arm will be cleansed with liquid. A sterilized needle will be injected into your arm and about one pint of blood will be collected. Following a donation, you will be provided with refreshments to compensate the sudden loss of blood in your body. After relaxing for a few minutes, you can move back to work or college and continue with your routine activities.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Blood donation process
Once all the formalities are completed, you will be taken for the blood donation procedure. A temperature check is first performed to see that the body temperature is normal. The blood pressure is also taken to ensure that the candidate is in proper health and state to donate. These tests are done keeping in mind your well being. As you proceed towards the donation, you will be asked to lie down on a table or a bed. A part of your arm will be cleansed with liquid. A sterilized needle will be injected into your arm and about one pint of blood will be collected. Following a donation, you will be provided with refreshments to compensate the sudden loss of blood in your body. After relaxing for a few minutes, you can move back to work or college and continue with your routine activities.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Blood Donation
A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions or made into medications by a process calledfractionation.
In the developed world, most blood donors are unpaid volunteers who give blood for a community supply. In poorer countries, established supplies are limited and donors usually give blood when family or friends need a transfusion. Many donors donate as an act of charity, but some are paid and in some cases there are incentives other than money such as paid time off from work. A donor can also have blood drawn for their own future use. Donating is relatively safe, but some donors have bruising where the needle is inserted or may feel faint.
Potential donors are evaluated for anything that might make their blood unsafe to use. The screening includes testing for diseases that can be transmitted by a blood transfusion, including HIV and viral hepatitis. The donor is also asked about medical history and given a short physical examination to make sure that the donation is not hazardous to his or her health. How often a donor can give varies from days to months based on what he or she donates and the laws of the country where the donation takes place. For example, in the United States donors must wait 8 weeks (56 days) between whole blood donations but only three days between plateletpheresis donations.[1]
The amount of blood drawn and the methods vary. The collection can be done manually or with automated equipment that only takes specific portions of the blood. Most of the components of blood used for transfusions have a short shelf life, and maintaining a constant supply is a persistent problem.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Blood Stem Cells
Blood Stem Cells |
Blood stem cells, known as hematopoietic stem cells, reside primarily in marrow, the spongy interior of bones. These "starter" cells resupply three types of blood cells: erythrocytes, commonly known as red blood cells; platelets, also called the blood-clotting cells; and leukocytes, the white blood cells of the immune system.
When the body needs to replace red blood cells, platelets for blood clotting, or immune cells, stem cells located in the bone marrow mature in a process called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis goes on constantly in the human body, but certain conditions call for increased activity. For example, when a person moves to a high altitude or attempts to recover from serious bleeding, increased numbers of stem cells must move from the bone marrow into the bloodstream.