How to Recover After Donating Blood
Each year, thousands of generous people help others by donating blood. Unlike other forms of charitable work, such as giving money, time, or other resources, donating blood involves giving a part of oneself so that another person may live. And while donating blood is far less serious than, say, kidney donation, it does somewhat diminish the donor's physical resources, and it will take some time for the body to recover fully. Plasma volume usually returns to normal levels within 24 hours, but it can take up to 5 weeks for red blood cells to be replaced, and up to 8 weeks for iron levels to be restored. Read on for some suggestions on recovering after donating blood.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Drink 1-2 cups of water 30-60 minutes before donating blood, especially if you are prone to fainting after blood donation. This preventative step will help alleviate lightheadedness and fainting by increasing the blood flow to the brain.
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Consume additional beverages during the rest of the day following blood donation. Be sure these beverages are non-alcoholic. Urine color can be used as a guideline to judge hydration levels-if the urine is dark, more liquids are needed.
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Eat a full meal within a few hours of donating blood. The nutrients will give the body a head start on rebuilding plasma volume, red blood cells, and iron levels.
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Consume iron-rich foods in the weeks after donating blood. Meats, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, dried beans, organ meats, and whole grains are good dietary sources of iron.
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Avoid heavy lifting for a day or two, and be sure to get extra rest if you feel tired. The body does most of its rebuilding during periods of sleep, so give yourself permission to take a nap!
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to contact your health care provider if you have any concerns about how to recover after donating blood.
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