There is a belief that people with diabetes are unable to donate blood, which is false;It is enough to comply with the previous routine exams that certify that blood glucose levels are controlled.
"For the person with type II diabetes, it is only necessary to restrict their medicine 12 hours before the required tests, and if the results show that their glucose levels are under control, as well as their metabolic stability, it has no problem to donate.", explained Dr. Marco Villalvazo Molho, member of the Mexican Diabetes Federation.
On the contrary, for people with type I diabetes it is not advisable to donate, since they cannot suspend the administration of their insulin, which as explained is a requirement to provide blood.
The former president of the National Council of Educators in Diabetes clarified that blood recepting patients do not contract chronic-degenerative disease that is diabetes.The only diseases by which a donation is not accepted are hepatitis b or c, and HIV or AIDS.
In Mexico, only three percent of the blood donation is done in an altruistic way;The technical requirements and minimum conditions that regulate the donation are specified by the official Mexican Nom-25 Standard for the disposition of human blood and its components for therapeutic purposes.
It should be noted that a person can donate up to four times a year, this to give time to the agency to recover 100 percent its natural conditions;In addition, it is important that the donor is over 18 and under 65, weigh at least 50 kilograms and not manifest anemia.
Villalvazo Molho recommended that after the donation it is important to eat lightly to avoid a fainting or some mismatch in glucose levels.Also, drink liquids throughout the rest of the day, since dehydration can be presented, which can manifest with headaches and cramps.
Another important point is to be recovered from any tidal feeling before leaving the donation area, and if necessary, look for a comfortable seat and stay for a while until the discomfort passes.
The diabetes specialist said that although it is thought that the blood donated by the general public and used for most people are very safe, some people choose to use a method called self-deconation, that is, the interested party goes to aBlood bank without an emergency event with the idea that it can donate to use it in case of an accident or surgery.
Finally, Villalvazo Molho stressed that a blood donation is an act that can benefit patients as diverse as those who will be performed by some surgical intervention or organ transplantation, such as those who may have the same need to suffer from cancer.
