The mere thought of gettingbloodtests might make your vision swim.
After all, someone is taking precious, life-giving fluid out of your arm with a needle.
(A needle that always looks terrifyingly big and sharp in the moment, too.)
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Dont feel bad if you turn into your 5-year-old self when you gotta get blood drawn.
No one wants to be stuck with a needle.
It is more surprising when patients do not care about getting their blood drawn.
This can make it harder for the provider to find your veins and draw blood, Richards explains.
Also, if youre particularly scared of blood tests, you might start hyperventilating, or breathing too quickly.
National Library of Medicine.
You know which arm were talking about.
Unless watching blood leave your body is fun for you, give your arm some privacy.
I dont even watch when I get my own blood drawn, Cartledge says.
Watching it all go down might cause something called vasovagal syncope.
you could make this all way less likely if you avert your gaze, Richards says.
Slow and steady [breathing] is key, she says.
She recommends that patients take their time breathing deeply in and outthrough their diaphragms.
Whatever the topic, talking can help you breathe and make the whole thing go by more quickly.
It is never a nuisance to tell [us] if your veins can be difficult to find.
We would rather have a heads up, Richards says.
Some blood tests require that you avoid food and water beforehand while others dont.
If its not, drink up.
Having someone along can help keep youranxietylevels in check.
Whether you’re able to actually do so depends on the lab, Richards says.
Just confirm your support buddy can handle the whole thing.
Sometimes its not helpful, Juanes says.
Once, the support person fainted.
This can prolong the entire ordeal, so wearing warm clothes could swing things in your favor.
like dont be afraid to ask questions or to tell us that you are nervous, Cartledge says.
It will help us better understand how to care for you.
Chances are, we have a distraction tool we can use to help youmine is telling jokes.
