Here are a few tips for you to get prepared mentally before going in 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.

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