When is blood transfusion required?
Blood transfusion is a life-saving process. Various diseases and procedures require a blood transfusion. Although safe in most cases, it may cause complications in some patients. Keeping in view the current news about the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals are taking extra precautions during a blood transfusion.
What is Blood Transfusion?
Blood transfusion is the process by which the doctor replenishes the blood in your body. Blood transfusion involves replacing the whole blood or its components such as platelets, plasma, and Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
Blood transfusion offers various health benefits to both adults and children. It helps in managing the volume and viscosity of blood and increases the oxygen-carrying capacity.
When you require Blood Transfusion?
Following are the top conditions that need a blood transfusion.
- Surgical Blood Loss: Blood loss may occur in surgeries, especially in major surgeries. Patients with excessive blood loss during operation may receive blood through transfusion.
- Traumatic Blood Loss: Patients may have severe blood loss due to traumatic injury. Sources of trauma include accidents, stabbing or gunshots. Such patients can get blood through blood transfusion.
- Bleeding disorder: Various types of bleeding disorders may result in excessive blood loss. Acute cardiovascular diseases also require a blood transfusion.
- Critical illness: Patients in intensive care units may require transfusion of whole blood or its multiple components. These patients may have severe anemia or low platelet levels.
- Hepatic disorders: Various conditions reduce the ability of the liver to synthesize clotting factors. Signs and symptoms of these diseases include excessive blood loss and easy bruising. These include alcoholic hepatitis (due to alcohol), viral hepatitis (due to virus), and hepatic failure.
- Conditions with reduced RBC synthesis: There is a need for blood transfusion for low haemoglobin in patients with reduced RBC synthesis. The doctor may also consider blood transfusion for low iron level in severe anemia. The other conditions that require blood transfusion are cancer and its treatments, renal diseases, and severe deficiency of vitamins and minerals, such as iron and folic acid in the diet.
What should I Expect during Blood Transfusion?
You may have a blood transfusion at a hospital or a clinic. Various health apps may additionally assist you to locate the best centre for blood transfusion in Coimbatore advertising and marketing the COVID-19 protection policy. If you are suffering from diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disorders, inform your doctor. It may take around 1-4 hours, depending upon the type of transfusion and quantity of blood. The doctor will take your sample to check the blood type.
The nurse will place a thin needle into your vein through which blood enters your body. You will be under constant monitoring for any complications during a blood transfusion. The nurse will guide you throughout your recovery in the hospital.
What are the Risks Associated with Blood Transfusions?
Blood transfusion is a safe procedure. However, there are several complications of blood transfusion, such as:
- Allergic reactions: In some cases, blood transfusion causes allergic reactions. You may develop hives on the skin and experience itching. The patient may also have hemolytic and anaphylactic reactions.
- Fever: Fever in the first few hours after blood transfusion is not of much concern. However, get medical advice if you also have chest pain and nausea.
Conclusion
Various conditions require a blood transfusion, such as surgical and traumatic blood loss, cardiovascular disease, and hepatic disorders. If any complication happens after blood transfusion, contact the plasma transfusion hospital in Coimbatore. Take complete rest and healthy food to recover from the weakness after blood transfusion.
