What Benefits Blood Transfusion

What is blood transfusion?

A blood transfusion is safe, common procedure in which blood is administered intravenously (IV) in a blood vessel. Blood transfusions are performed to replace blood lost during surgery or because of serious injuries. Transfusion may also be made if the agency can not make blood properly because of illness. During blood transfusion, a small needle used to insert IV lines in a blood vessel. In this line appears healthy blood. The procedure usually lasts from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of blood you need.

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Blood transfusions are very common. Each year, nearly 5 million Americans need blood transfusions. Most blood transfusions well. Mild complications can occur. Very rarely, serious development problems.

Important information about Blood

The heart pumps blood through a network of arteries and veins throughout the body. The blood has many important positions. Gate of oxygen and other nutrients to body organs and tissues. A healthy blood supply is important for overall health.

Blood is made up of different components, including red cells, white cells, platelets (plate allows) and plasma. Blood transfusion or whole blood (his hand) or, more often, as individual pieces.

Blood Types

Each person has one of the following blood types: A, B, AB or O. In addition, each person is either a blood Rh-Rh-positive or negative. So if you have blood type is positive or negative.

Blood transfusion must work with a group of blood. If not, antibodies (proteins) in the blood attack the fresh blood and cause nausea.

Blood type O is safe for almost everyone. About 40 percent of the population has blood type O. People who have this type are called universal blood donors. Blood type O is used in emergencies when there is no time to study people's blood.

People who have blood group AB are called universal recipients. This means they can get all kinds of blood.

If you have Rh-positive blood can be obtained from blood Rh positive or Rh negative. But if you have Rh negative blood, to be Rh negative blood. Rh-negative blood is used in emergencies when there is no time to study Rh-type person.

Blood banks

blood banks collect, analyze and store blood. Read all the blood possible infectious as viruses that can cause nausea. (For more information, see "What are the risks of blood transfusion?")

Bank staff also screen blood for each donation of blood to see if a type A, B, AB or O, and if she is Rh positive and Rh-negative. The first blood that does not work with his own blood will be very sick. This is why blood banks are very cautious when a blood test.

To prepare a blood transfusion, blood banks to remove some white blood cells. This process is called white blood cells or leukocytes (LU-ko-site) reduction. Although rare, some people are allergic to white blood cells in donated blood. The removal of these cells causes allergic reactions less likely.

Not all transfusions of blood donated the use of a stranger. If you are having surgery, you may need a blood transfusion due to blood loss during surgery. If this is something you are able to plan in advance, your doctor may ask you if you want to use his own blood, no blood.

If you choose to use his own blood, the blood must have taken one or more times before the operation. Blood bank storage of blood for use.

Alternatives to blood transfusion

Scientists are trying to find ways to make blood. There are currently no alternative to human blood of man. However, scientists have developed a drug that may help resolve the question of certain parts of blood.

For example, some people who have kidney problems, can now take a drug called erythropoietin, which helps the body to more red blood cells. This means they have less need for blood transfusions.

Doctors are trying to reduce the amount of blood lost during surgery so that fewer patients required blood transfusion. Sometimes it can collect and use blood for the patient.

via nhlbi