Preparing Mentally for a Blood Test

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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.

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Specifically, Blood Tests Help in

• 1. Evaluating how well the patients 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
  notThe 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.

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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

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 5. Be Calm and Dont 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.

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• 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 dont 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 havent 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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