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Preparing mentally for a blood test

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Medylife

A blood test is a common medical test that provides doctors with important health information. It involves collecting a small blood sample via a needle in the vein. Blood tests can help evaluate how well organs are functioning, diagnose diseases like cancer and diabetes, and check if medications are working properly. While some blood tests require fasting or avoiding certain activities beforehand, preparing for the test by staying hydrated, using a warm compress on the vein area, and reducing stress can help make the experience less uncomfortable.

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Preparing mentally for a blood test
What is a Blood Test? • Blood Test is a very common and simple test which helps the Doctors to evaluate the health condition of the patient and check for certain diseases and conditions. Most of these tests do not require any special preparations. But, for some tests, fasting is required. A blood test is done very simply. During the test, a small sample of the blood is taken from the vein, using a needle. ‘Phlebotomist’ is a person who draws the blood.
Preparing mentally for a blood test
Specifically, Blood Tests Help in: • 1. Evaluating how well the patient’s body organs such as the kidneys, thyroid, liver, heart etc are working. 2. Diagnosing diseases and health conditions such as Cancer, Diabetes, Heart diseases, HIV/AIDS, etc. 3. Check whether the medicines taken by patients are working or not The results of the test help in detecting various health conditions at an early stage. Many times, other tests are also required along with Blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
How to Prepare for a Blood Test? • Most people avoid going for a lab test because they feel too scared. But stay calm as there is nothing to worry about. Sure, getting a needle stuck in the arm can be quite painful and uncomfortable. Thus, one must prepare themselves both physically and mentally before a blood test to ensure a smooth draw. However, the good news is that these days blood tests are carried out by using new age needles which do not cause much pain as compared to the conventional needles which were used earlier. • The below-mentioned tips can help you get prepared for the test:
Preparing mentally for a blood test
• 1. Have a Word with the Doctor • Before going for the test, one must talk to the Doctor to get brief instructions and knowledge about the test. There are certain Blood Tests which require special preparation to get accurate results. For instance, there are some tests which require overnight fasting. Thus, always have a word with the Doctor to know all about the instructions related to the test. Also, certain substances such as prescribed medications, alcohol, vitamins, recreational drugs and blood thinners can alter the results of the test. Thus, discuss with the Doctor if you are taking any of these or some other substance so that they can determine the right time for the test to be done. The key point is that one must tell proper medical history to the Doctor and ask the Doctor for instructions about the test. • 2. Stay Hydrated • When we are hydrated, it is easier to find the veins as they are bigger. Also, the blood is not so thick and flows easily into the tube. Thus, make sure to drink plenty of water before going for the test. If fasting is required for the test, then make sure to drink lots of water before you start the fasting. It is because being well-hydrated makes it a lot easier to draw the blood.
• 3. Avoid Certain Activities • There are some activities like smoking, drinking, sexual activity, heavy exercises which can alter the results of some blood tests. If the doctor asks you to stay away from certain activities before the lab test; ensure that you refrain from those activities. • 4. Use a Warm Compress • Before going for the test, make sure that you warm the extremity where the blood will be drawn. One can use a warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes over the area to improve the blood flow to that area. Warm clothes also help the phlebotomist to find the vein and draw the blood. It is because warm clothes increase the blood flow by increasing the skin temperature which makes it easier for the phlebotomist to find the vein.
• 5. Be Calm and Don’t Take any Stress • When someone feels nervous about the lab test, it increases their stress and anxiety levels. The unfortunate part is that when we are stressed, our blood pressure increases which constrict our veins. And the result is that it then becomes very difficult to draw the blood out of the vein. If a person is calm and is not taking any stress, there are high chances that the phlebotomist will find the vein in very less time. • 6. Accept Your Feelings of Anxiety • Anxiety is a normal emotion just like others, and like every other emotion, it can be controlled if you want to. Do not let feelings control you, be strong and control your feelings. Accepting the fact that you are anxious will take away the power away from the feeling. You will feel like you are the boss when you accept that ‘Yes, I am feeling this, but I will not let this feeling control me.’ Once you accept it, it will be easy to not think about it. The more you try to avoid those feelings, the more you will become overwhelmed, and then it will be hard to control anxiety.
• 7. Question Your Fears • Our mind plays a lot of tricky games when we are scared and anxious. All the negative thoughts will come in your mind like ‘Blood tests are harmful’, ‘It will pain a lot’, ‘I don’t need to go for a test, I am fine.’ and much more. But, one has to know that these are just trick games the mind plays to get out of the situation. One has to be strong and question their negative thoughts and fear and replace them with positive ones. For instance, if your mind says, ‘Blood tests are harmful and dangerous’; replace it with a positive statement, ‘Blood tests are not harmful. I haven’t seen anybody getting hurt from these tests.’ Also, if you are too anxious, ask yourself questions like: • 8. Positive Self Talk • Self-talk is the voice in our inner voice; basically, it is the voice in our mind which says things that we do not necessarily say out aloud. What we say in our mind affects how we feel about ourselves. Positive self-talk makes us feel good about ourselves and helps us have an optimistic approach towards the situation. Thus, we must practice positive self-talk before going for the test so that we can reduce the feelings of anxiety and handle the situation in a positive way.
Follow Medylife on Social Media facebook.com/medylifesite twitter.com/medylifesite plus.google.com/+Medylife Solution Visit Medylife.com for more such articles on Health, Fitness, Beauty & Parenting and keep yourself enriched at all times.

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Preparing mentally for a blood test

  • 2. What is a Blood Test? • Blood Test is a very common and simple test which helps the Doctors to evaluate the health condition of the patient and check for certain diseases and conditions. Most of these tests do not require any special preparations. But, for some tests, fasting is required. A blood test is done very simply. During the test, a small sample of the blood is taken from the vein, using a needle. ‘Phlebotomist’ is a person who draws the blood.
  • 4. Specifically, Blood Tests Help in: • 1. Evaluating how well the patient’s body organs such as the kidneys, thyroid, liver, heart etc are working. 2. Diagnosing diseases and health conditions such as Cancer, Diabetes, Heart diseases, HIV/AIDS, etc. 3. Check whether the medicines taken by patients are working or not The results of the test help in detecting various health conditions at an early stage. Many times, other tests are also required along with Blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
  • 5. How to Prepare for a Blood Test? • Most people avoid going for a lab test because they feel too scared. But stay calm as there is nothing to worry about. Sure, getting a needle stuck in the arm can be quite painful and uncomfortable. Thus, one must prepare themselves both physically and mentally before a blood test to ensure a smooth draw. However, the good news is that these days blood tests are carried out by using new age needles which do not cause much pain as compared to the conventional needles which were used earlier. • The below-mentioned tips can help you get prepared for the test:
  • 7. • 1. Have a Word with the Doctor • Before going for the test, one must talk to the Doctor to get brief instructions and knowledge about the test. There are certain Blood Tests which require special preparation to get accurate results. For instance, there are some tests which require overnight fasting. Thus, always have a word with the Doctor to know all about the instructions related to the test. Also, certain substances such as prescribed medications, alcohol, vitamins, recreational drugs and blood thinners can alter the results of the test. Thus, discuss with the Doctor if you are taking any of these or some other substance so that they can determine the right time for the test to be done. The key point is that one must tell proper medical history to the Doctor and ask the Doctor for instructions about the test. • 2. Stay Hydrated • When we are hydrated, it is easier to find the veins as they are bigger. Also, the blood is not so thick and flows easily into the tube. Thus, make sure to drink plenty of water before going for the test. If fasting is required for the test, then make sure to drink lots of water before you start the fasting. It is because being well-hydrated makes it a lot easier to draw the blood.
  • 8. • 3. Avoid Certain Activities • There are some activities like smoking, drinking, sexual activity, heavy exercises which can alter the results of some blood tests. If the doctor asks you to stay away from certain activities before the lab test; ensure that you refrain from those activities. • 4. Use a Warm Compress • Before going for the test, make sure that you warm the extremity where the blood will be drawn. One can use a warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes over the area to improve the blood flow to that area. Warm clothes also help the phlebotomist to find the vein and draw the blood. It is because warm clothes increase the blood flow by increasing the skin temperature which makes it easier for the phlebotomist to find the vein.
  • 9. • 5. Be Calm and Don’t Take any Stress • When someone feels nervous about the lab test, it increases their stress and anxiety levels. The unfortunate part is that when we are stressed, our blood pressure increases which constrict our veins. And the result is that it then becomes very difficult to draw the blood out of the vein. If a person is calm and is not taking any stress, there are high chances that the phlebotomist will find the vein in very less time. • 6. Accept Your Feelings of Anxiety • Anxiety is a normal emotion just like others, and like every other emotion, it can be controlled if you want to. Do not let feelings control you, be strong and control your feelings. Accepting the fact that you are anxious will take away the power away from the feeling. You will feel like you are the boss when you accept that ‘Yes, I am feeling this, but I will not let this feeling control me.’ Once you accept it, it will be easy to not think about it. The more you try to avoid those feelings, the more you will become overwhelmed, and then it will be hard to control anxiety.
  • 10. • 7. Question Your Fears • Our mind plays a lot of tricky games when we are scared and anxious. All the negative thoughts will come in your mind like ‘Blood tests are harmful’, ‘It will pain a lot’, ‘I don’t need to go for a test, I am fine.’ and much more. But, one has to know that these are just trick games the mind plays to get out of the situation. One has to be strong and question their negative thoughts and fear and replace them with positive ones. For instance, if your mind says, ‘Blood tests are harmful and dangerous’; replace it with a positive statement, ‘Blood tests are not harmful. I haven’t seen anybody getting hurt from these tests.’ Also, if you are too anxious, ask yourself questions like: • 8. Positive Self Talk • Self-talk is the voice in our inner voice; basically, it is the voice in our mind which says things that we do not necessarily say out aloud. What we say in our mind affects how we feel about ourselves. Positive self-talk makes us feel good about ourselves and helps us have an optimistic approach towards the situation. Thus, we must practice positive self-talk before going for the test so that we can reduce the feelings of anxiety and handle the situation in a positive way.
  • 11. Follow Medylife on Social Media facebook.com/medylifesite twitter.com/medylifesite plus.google.com/+Medylife Solution Visit Medylife.com for more such articles on Health, Fitness, Beauty & Parenting and keep yourself enriched at all times.