World Blood Donor Day is held on 14 June each year. The aim is to raise global awareness regarding the need for safe blood and the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. The day also provides an opportunity to urge governments as well as national health authorities to provide relevant resources and implement adequate infrastructure to increase the collection of blood from donors.

Global need for safe blood and voluntary donors

Safe blood and blood products are a critical aspect of care and public health. They save millions of lives and improve the health of many patients every day. The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in developing countries. To ensure that everyone who needs safe blood has access to it, all countries need voluntary, unpaid donors who give blood regularly.

Theme for 2021

For 2021, the World Blood Donor Day slogan is “give blood and keep the world beating”. The message highlights the essential contribution blood donors make to keeping the world pulsating by saving lives. It reinforces the global call for more people all over the world to donate blood regularly and contribute to better health.

A special focus of this year’s campaign will be the role of young people in ensuring a safe blood supply. The specific objectives are to:

• thank blood donors in the world and create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation;
• promote the community values of blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion;
• encourage youth to embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood;
• celebrate the potential of youth as partners in promoting health.

Italy will host World Blood Donor Day 2021 through its National Blood Centre. The global event will be held in Rome on 14 June 2021.

Role of Alpha-blockers?

On this special day dedicated to blood, it is worth mentioning about Alpha blockers that lower blood pressure by keeping the hormone ‘Norepinephrine’ from tightening the muscles in the walls of smaller arteries and veins. As a consequence, the vessels remain open and relaxed. This improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Since Alpha blockers also relax other muscles throughout the body, these medications also can help improve urine flow in older men suffering from prostate problems. (2)

They are either short-acting or long-acting. Examples of alpha blockers used to treat high blood pressure include: (2)

• Doxazosin (Cardura)
• Prazosin (Minipress)
• Terazosin

Side effects

Although generally considered to be quite safe, some of these alpha blockers can lead to certain side-effects like (3):

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Low blood pressure
• Sudden changes in blood pressure
• Long-term usage may increase the risk of heart failure

 

Who should not consume alpha blockers?

• Women are generally not prescribed alpha-blockers because they can cause urinary stress incontinence and loss of bladder control.
• Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or may become pregnant are also advised against taking these drugs.
• Patients with a history of orthostatic hypertension are generally not prescribed alpha-blockers. The same applies for patients with a history of heart failure, liver or kidney ailments and Parkinson’s disease.

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Disclaimer:

Anzen Export’s blog posts have been written with the information gathered from approved medical journals and websites online. Our research and technical team strives to provide relevant information through such articles. To be best informed, we advise consulting a doctor about an ingredient or medicine prior to taking it.

References:

• World Health Organization [online]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/06/14/default-calendar/world-blood-donor-day-2021
• Mayo Clinic [online]. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/alpha-blockers/art-20044214
• Verywellhealth [online]. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-alpha-blockers-1764155