Spain is one of the five countries with the highest rate of blood donors in Europe. However, despite this milestone, myths about who can donate blood remain valid in society.
“To be a blood donor, there are certain very basic conditions. “The age is between 18 and 60 years old, you must weigh more than 50 kilos and you must be a healthy person,” explains Lucía Escribano, nurse at the blood donation service at the Infanta Elena University Hospital.
Should I donate blood on an empty stomach?
One of the most common myths is that to donate blood you have to go on an empty stomach, which is not recommended in the health field.
“When you go to do an analysis, you have to go on an empty stomach, but to donate blood it’s the opposite, since you have to come after having had breakfast and drinking,” says Lucía Escribano, who adds that “So that the body is well hydrated and you do not suffer from dizziness, hypotension or the donation makes you feel bad, you must come well hydrated, have had breakfast, and even, if it is something salty, the better“.
In today’s chapter we will talk about this and other myths, and we will study the history of transfusions and the important role played by a Spanish doctor.
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