The rules and procedures for donating plasma are similar to those for donating whole blood. There is one major difference in the procedure: Your blood is returned to your body and only the plasma from it is collected. The rules for plasma...
More than 38,000 blood donations of all kinds are needed in the United States every day, according to the American Red Cross, and it is particularly looking for healthy volunteers like athletes. Blood plasma donation doesn't take a lot of time and...
Donating plasma is an activity regarded with extreme importance by doctors and hospitals. Plasma cannot be produced artificially, and many people with certain blood conditions require extra blood plasma to undergo surgery and other procedures....
Donating plasma is not painful. There are only two very fast feelings of a pinching sensation when the needle pricks the arms to insert the needle to collect and return blood. From that point on there will not be any pain in the process of...
Plasma is the fluid portion of the blood that does not contain any cells. Plasma contains a number of medically useful components including albumin (a protein), other proteins and clotting factors. Plasma collection takes time and commitment on...
Blood consists of red blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells that fight infections, platelets that function in clotting, and plasma, the liquid that carries all the other components of blood. The plasma makes up more than half the total...
Approximately 14 million units of blood are donated each year in the United States, according to the American Association of Blood Banks. Donating blood is a safe and effective way to give back and save lives. All blood is thoroughly tested for...
If you plan to donate blood, it is important to familiarize yourself with the donation process and what to expect before and after your appointment. Following the basic blood donation guidelines can make the experience smoother and more relaxing....
Pemphigus is a rare skin disorder. According to the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation, pemphigus is an autoimmune disease or a condition caused by the body attacking itself. Pemphigus is not contagious and is not spread by touching...
Transfusion is the process of giving whole blood or one of its components to a patient who is ill or injured. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, almost 5 million Americans need blood transfusions each year to treat various...
Donating blood is a valuable gift that can save lives. In fact, millions of people in the United States need blood transfusions each year. If you're a smoker, you might worry about whether you can smoke before or after donating blood. Major blood...
Blood donation has several benefits for those who have serious injuries and diseases. The Mayo Clinic reports that each blood donation can help up to three people since donor centers divide whole blood into platelets, red blood cells and plasma....
Transfusion is the process of giving whole blood or one of its components--plasma, red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitates--to a patient through an intravenous line. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, almost 5...
Certain medications make you ineligible to give blood. Caffeine is a drug, but it does not make you ineligible to give blood if you have it in your system at donation time. Donation sites recommend against consuming caffeine before making your...
When you donate blood, you have to ensure you comply with the guidelines of the blood donation organization, some of which involve coffee or caffeine consumption. If you want to donate blood, contact the blood donation organization before you do...
If you plan to give blood,contact your host site or organization prior to setting up your appointment to learn what you can expect before, during and after your donation. Many organizations recommend that you wait at least a few hours after your...
Around four million people receive blood transfusions each year. Of those, 2.1 percent received autologous transfusions, or infusions of their own blood, in 2006, Lab Tests Online states. Autologous transfusions especially benefit people having...
Plasma, platelets, and red blood cells can all be donated with human blood. Learn the components of human blood donations in this free video clip from a blood donation center.
