Compared to blood donation, plasma donation is not a subject that is much talked about. In fact, the only time this subject warrants a mention is when there is a natural disaster or when there is a shortage of sorts. Whereas during blood donation, blood is simply taken away from the body, plasma is taken from the body separated from the blood and then returned to the body. This leads to the question "Does plasma donation hurt?"
During plasma donation, your blood is drawn from your arm and transported to a machine by a sterile injection. The machine helps collect some plasma and sometimes platelets in blood and returns the remaining blood components plus some saline solution to the donor.
The plain truth in the process is that yes, it does hurt to some degree, but some describe it just like a bad sting. Since the needle used is slightly larger than the standard size syringe, so the pain felt is a little bit stronger than that from blood donation. Each session lasts about 45 to 60 minutes and donors can just lie there and watch TV, which can greatly distract them and make the pain unnoticeable. Besides, the pain subsides with each successive session – one basically becomes accustomed to it.
Since you get a positive answer to the question "Does donating plasma hurt?", you may really want to know how to decrease this pain. The following are the ways you can use to reduce pain during plasma donation:
Donating plasma is by and large a safe exercise and has been ongoing for a few decades now. After knowing "Does donating plasma hurt?" we are here to point out the drawbacks that might come from donating plasma:
Beside "Does donating plasma hurt?" Other questions that are often asked concerning plasma donation are captured below:
Yes. The material that comes in contact with the plasma is used only once and then disposed of. Before making a donation ensure that you have drunk a lot of water and that you have fed at least two hours before. Avoid foods that are high in cholesterol and keep off tobacco for at least an hour before donating.
The Food and Drug Agency (FDA) recommends that plasma donation be performed at most twice a week with a two day break in between every session. Meaning if you make a donation on Monday, the next time that you can possibly make a donation again during that week would be on Thursday.
With the exception of a few states, people between the ages of 18 to 64 can make a donation. Similarly, anyone who weighs over 110 pounds and is in overall good health can make a donation.
No. Even after delivery, a woman will require some six months before she can donate blood and even then she will have to be cleared by her doctor.