Specialist specifies that it is essential to donate for the treatment of various diseases.

Why is it important to donate blood and why should more people do it? “Because blood and its components cannot be manufactured, it is essential to donate blood for the treatment of various diseases such as in the case of cancer patients, in patients or mothers with severe bleeding, in newborns, or to support surgeries. According to international standards, the ideal is that 2% of the population of a country be a voluntary donor on a regular basis, and in our country, according to the latest records, 1.03% of the Peruvian population donated blood, but only 21.10%. It was voluntary”, replies Dr. Eddy Manrique, head of the Blood Bank of Clinica Ricardo Palma.

Is there a special food that allows to increase blood flow? “To have an adequate blood flow it is important to always be well hydrated. Fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, anchovies or walnuts, almonds, onions, garlic, and other foods that contain antioxidants, complemented with aerobic exercises (walking, swimming, cycling, etc.) help improve blood flow.”, points out.

He indicates that the number of units is still insufficient to meet the blood requirement in the country.

Requirements to donate:

• Be between 18 and 60 years old
• Weigh more than 50 kilos
• Measure more than 1.50 m.
• Be in good health
• Present your ID, Passport, or immigration card

Blood donation: details to take into account

• After donating, it is preferable not to do any sporting activity for 24 hours. After this time, you can do the exercises again.
• Breastfeeding women cannot donate blood. They must wait until 6 months after cessation of lactation, in order to recover their iron stores.
• There are several medications that prevent you from being a donor: antibiotics, insulin, antiarrhythmics, acne medications, and antifungals.
• A menstruating woman can donate as long as she does not have heavy bleeding and her hemoglobin is greater than 12.5 g/dL.
• One donation can save up to three lives. As long as we have more repetitive voluntary donors, in good health, we will have better blood components.
• Anyone may need a blood transfusion. No one is free from having an accident. Many people think that you only have to collaborate with people with fewer resources; However, this is not so. There are blood groups that are very difficult to obtain and some patients may have insurance, but not a donor.
• It is not necessary to eat double after the extraction. The diet must be the same. The only thing that is recommended is to drink more liquid throughout the day.
• People who have had a tattoo, piercing, permanent makeup, and acupuncture therapy can donate after one year of these procedures.
• Controlled hypertensives can donate. Patients with coronary diseases, no. Neither can people who have suffered from hepatitis B and C.
• Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60, in good health, can donate. If any surgery was performed, you must wait six months, but if you received a blood transfusion, one year.
• Healthy women can donate every four months and men every three.
• It is not necessary to fast to donate, you can have juice, water, or a very light breakfast without fat or sausages. If you plan to do it after lunch, you must wait at least 4 hours.

Dr. Eddy Manrique
Clinical pathologist and Head of the Blood Bank of the Ricardo Palma Clinic

Source: Diario Perú 21