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Call for questions: BLOOD & VEINS (Patreon)

Published:
2024-09-23 19:17:30
Imported:
2026-06

Content

I'm also meeting with a vascular surgeon this week to talk blood and veins. What questions should I ask? I'm thinking circulation, bruising, hematologic diseases, varicose veins, transfusions, donations...

Deadline: Wednesday, September 25 at 5pm PST

Comments

Anna

if blood is red why do my hand veins look blue???

Winnie’s a Witch

as someone currently going through cancer and chemo as a young person (not a blood one though) i’d love to know why pretty much everything comes down to blood tests? my chemo regime and my health all seems to come down to it! why is blood so so important!!!!!

Annmarie Everhart

What would happen if someone received a blood transfusion from a donor with an inconsistent blood type?

K9 Conservationists

I have terrible circulation in my hands. I am a competitive cross-country skier and love trail running... so I often end up pouring sweat on my core while my hands FREEZE. I've been told that doing some hot/cold therapy involving putting your hands in water can help. Is that flim-flam? Is there any way to train my body to send the warm blood to my extremities to cool it down instead of this ridiculous cold-hands-sweaty-back combo?

Perry Wilson

OMG I just got my first OLD LADY bruise. broken capillaries. What's up with that and in the absense of a time machine what can I do to minimise them?

Erica Flory

Why do I get sick feelings when they take blood? Like hot, sweaty, nauseous etc

Matt Ceccato

What is the best way to prevent bruising when you have to have blood drawn? I have regular blood work and, while my bruises have gotten better, they are still there.

Winnie’s a Witch

i’ve also had 4 blood transfusions.. i’m always wondering where they come from and who to thank. what’s the process from donation to transfusion with blood?

Jocelyn Alcantara-Garcia

Two Q total. ONE: Explain calcium scores and why/why not I should get one (or not), I beg you! (LONG heart disease/blockage family history). TWO: how can I do a more efficient carotid sinus massage to terminate my (relatively frequent) paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias.

Sean Cavanagh

Hello! First time questioner: Is it true that blood vessels are naturally under tension to prevent ballooning? And if so, how do surgeons deal with veins and arteries trying to contract like elastic bands?

Pretty Bird

I have Trigeminal Neuralgia (yes it’s a nightmare but I’m not here for pity points) so here’s my question… how is it possible that the human body has such a design flaw that a vein can wrap itself around, or rub against a nerve with such rudeness as to cause such a remarkably brutal condition and also, why is the surgery often so unsuccessful?!

Scott Sheldon

With a hemorrhagic disease like Ebola, what’s actually happening to the vessels?

Charlotte Parkinson

Ok so I'm just out of hospital after dislocating and breaking my elbow and although my veins in my left arm were extremely visible, they couldn't get any blood out of them. Why was that? I always thought visible veins meant good blood flow.

Anna Thompson

Why do some people bruise easily and some rarely bruise? I almost never bruise and if I do it shows up as faded even if it's only a day old

Rick T

What’s the best way to maintain/improve circulation as we grow older?

Lauren Seibert

As someone who works with a lot of people who lose limbs secondary to peripheral vascular disease (I’m a prosthetist), I’m very curious how it affects the hands and fingers. It seems very hit or miss if the patients have their upper extremities affected too. How often does it affect the fingers and hands?

Faith Stemmler

Why do some veins become visible as we age while others stay safely hidden beneath our skin? What causes varicose veins and can they be treated safely?

gilliansmith

I give blood regularly and they love to take it from the same vein and same spot, will that damage my vein? Also, veins transport de-oxygenated blood, therefore when you give blood it is blood with little oxygen, how does that impact people who get blood transfusions?

RJ Doidge

Why does the sight of my blood make me go woozy, but if someone else needs help I’m game? (Aka: a former lifeguard)

Jules Hucke

Why can I clearly see my veins through my skin sometimes, but not all the time? I can sometimes see every vein in my chest and arms in the mirror. It's freaky AF but also kinda cool. I just don't get why it varies. The bathroom lighting is always the same, so I know it isn't that!

Björn Fredberg

Hemophilia... why? What is it that hinders the blod from clotting, or lack thereof?

verbrannt

What misconception(s) still permeate your field?

Nayomi Santos

I donate blood regularly and always wonder about the whole process after I leave. Where does the blood go? Does it ever expire? Also, why do I feel nauseous if I don’t eat a big meal before donating?

Lizzy Martinez

This is so cool! So I'm curious what kind of blood and circulation conditions people may have that are common or uncommon and aren't really treatable and more just what someone lives and deals with via managing symptoms? For example, I'm a POTS sufferer and have been for years. Blood pressure and circulation play big parts in our condition/symptoms for those who may not know.

Gabrielle Heiss

Fantastic!! Why are some veins rollier (a harder stick) than others? May you please also expand on the blood brain barrier. Thank you 🥰

Nicky G

Is it more beneficial to donate whole blood, plasma, platelets, or other specific blood products? I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and experience various dysautonomia symptoms... can you explain what is known about Reynauds Syndrome? Thanks!

Anna Dylan

Why do I bruise so easily? Everytime i wear shorts someone asks me if i got beat up or something but i don’t even know where they came from!

Lauren Seibert

Also at what point do varicose veins become a problem? My partner has severe (or at least looks bad) varicose veins but he’s never complained of them or anything at all. Also why are they genetic?

Mallory Skinner

I get IV infusions monthly, and I’ve often been told I have “tricky” veins. Why or how do veins “hide”? Is it possible it’s getting worse because of how often I need to get stabbed??

PopsicleEmperor

Is there any actual influence on temperment or behavior related to blood type?

mish the fish

if they test the blood regardless, why do we still have regulations that bar men who love men from donating blood? how did the hiv/aids epidemic affect the nation's blood supply? has the blood supply bounced back?

Mariann

Why are my hands and feet always so cold?

Striving to thrive

Can they please elaborate on the blood brain barrier? And on autoimmune diseases like Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome?

Mina Emily Cox

What is up with the new blood type? Why did it took so long to be discovered? When was it even discovered that there are different blood types for the first time?

Buhbrie

Raynaud's phenomenon! I have this as well as Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos. I rarely have full blown Raynaud's episodes but when I do it's usually my fingertips. But sometimes my fingers or hands will skip the blanching and just turn purple for a while, and that's far more common for me. What are the mechanisms there? Why would the veins only partially constrict? Why do they over constrict at all?

Björn Fredberg

Recently resaw True Blood. In almost every episode somebody is drained of blood, and still walking away. Could this happen (draining, not vampires) and you still recover without transfusions?

Alyssa Berg

Two Questions! 1) I just started on Zoloft for the first time in my life and it's helping me so, so much...but it's also making me bruise like a peach! I heard that seratonin helps with clotting/wound healing, so lots of SSRIs act like mild anticoagulants. HOW does the same chemical responsible for my anxious thoughts have to do with my BLOOD??? 2) I don't get squeamish at all around real blood or realistic blood in movies, but the faker the blood is on screen, the more woozy I feel (I learned this the hard way as a kid when my cousins showed me that SNL skit where Julia Child chops off her hand lol). WHAT is happening there??

Marxe Orbach

When I was born, I had O+ blood (like my mom) but now I have A+ blood. at first I thought that my blood tests were coming back wrong or that my life was a lie, but then I found out that neonates have some of the blood of their birthing parent for a while! Why does this happen? What is the process for a baby to start making and replacing their blood?

Anna Dylan

Is low iron anemia easy to fix? Last year I had extremely low iron but I started eating more iron-rich foods and taking supplements and it seems to be fine now…. can i just stop taking the iron supplements or will it come back (i stopped taking the iron supplements those things are expensive)

Anna Thompson

Clotting times. Is there natural variation before it becomes a problem? I'm super excited for this episode! As a kid I had a high PTT so couldn't get my tonsils out. It's normalized since then I guess cause it only sometimes shows up in blood work. My current doctor speculates the issue might be more common in young kids then doctors realize just cause the percentage of kids getting PTT tests is low

Anna Dylan

why r my hand veins green. help

Kate Oldham

Would love to know more about why pregnant folks sometimes attack a fetus if there’s a different blood type—I think I understand the idea but would love to hear an expert explain! (Or if it’s flim flam, would also love to know)

Ben Beardiac Fiore

First time question-asker! I understand with blood pressure that high numbers are bad, but I don't fully understand what the numbers mean for the circulatory system. In other words, if one or both of my numbers are high, what is actually happening inside me that needs to change? Is my heart beating too fast? Is my vessels too weak? Is my blood to thick?

Christina Marie

Should I know my blood type/family members' types? From a gal who has always been real popular at the plasma donation facility thanks to a rare-ish blood type and a super-fast donor. Semi-related: where does my plasma go after I donate it?

Caitlin Fitz Gerald

Is it true that post-covid, blood clots have become a more common issue? If so, is there any understanding as to why? And what are the implications of that generally?

Stanley

When you are put in a heart lung machine it creates complications, for example, brain inflammation. Is this same risk present when you donate “double red” and your blood is run through a machine to remove red cells?

Amanda Nugent

I have MS- why can I be an organ donor but not a blood donor? I used to donate blood regularly but have not since my diagnosis.

Alli B

This! I caught myself telling my kid absolute flim flam and got called out by my MIL! But I totally believed what I was told as a kid that blood is blue until it hits air when you bleed! Why veins look so blue?

Sage Scarberry

i want to know more about the RH factor and how it affects pregnancy!

Ma's Nature Walks

I unfortunately had a severe hemmorage after giving birth and developed DIC. It was explained as my body ran out of platelets. How does that happen?

Sweet Chili

My sibling has a rare autoimmune blood disorder called PNH. I’m optimistic about the success using CRISPR has had on sickle cell anemia, is there any chance that treatments targeted at other, similar conditions could follow?

Olivia

(Long time listener, first time asker) Why are some folks more vascular or have more visible veins than others? Phlebotomists compliment my veins but sometimes you can see my entire circulatory system on my arms 😅

Björn Fredberg

Usually this is just because the darker blood shines through the skin, at least if you have a lighter skintone or you are really pale. That, or you are actually of royal descent...

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Two questions! 1. I'm one of the unlucky ones to develop blood clots during a case of severe covid. All other medical conditions were ruled out, so why did I develop them? 2. Phlebotomists have occasionally not been able to get my blood then though they did a "good stick" and muttered something about "hitting a valve" or flap. What the heck does that mean?

Dave Brewer

I’m the opposite. I donate platelets regularly (and whole blood before that) and feel fine whether I’ve recently eaten or not. Great question about where the blood goes!

Alli B

My friend, diagnosed early with breast cancer, was able to have a blood test for cancer cells after her surgery (which came out clean, yay!). Apparently we can test blood for evidence of any cancer? Is this accurate? Can you tell us about this technology and what other advances we can look forward to?

Ken Edmundson

I’m curious about any connection between blood clots and cancer. Was once told that when a patient exhibits clotting without any personal or family history that cancer is often a prime suspect.

Amelia Heins

How well do iron supplements work, and what's the difference between someone's iron levels and hemoglobin levels?

Dave Langlinais

Ok, I've got one - how do new-growth blood vessels "know" where to grow? For instance to bypass blockage or to compensate for heavily damaged blood vessels that were traumatically injured - what signals them to grow (at all), and what determines the exact route the growth takes??

Björn Fredberg

On the topic of True Blood, would it be possible to create artificial blood? Not to feed vamps, but for transfusions etc without having to donate.

Emily Anderson

The last time I got an IV, the nurse has a really difficult time getting into my vein despite it being visible. He said this was because I climbed and it affected the difficulty somehow? He got a nurse who is apparently the best and she had no difficulty. Is this a real thing or was he making himself feel better? Do climbers (or others who work hands/ forearms a lot) really change our veins outside of making them super visible when we’re pumped?

Sweet Chili

What in the world do those blood pressure numbers mean?

Anna Fern

Wtf is up with POTS??? Why will my blood not calm down, it goes so fast.

Elta Sparks

Why do some people feel faint at the sight of blood?

Björn Fredberg

I have heard that the skin is considered the body's largest organ. But surely the total of veins and arteries must give it a run for its money? All those freakishly small capillaries...

The Severinos

What can I do during chemotherapy to keep my veins in good shape, minimize scarring, maximize blood flow, etc? (I have a port. Side note: so many insidious side effects to cancer treatment).

Elta Sparks

Do other mammals or any type of animal also have different blood types? I assume so but curious to hear!

Jenna Congdon

all veins have valves, to help prevent too much back flow. On some people, you can see where they are (or have a good guess), or sometimes you can sneak the needle past them if you flush some saline in. Other times, it is quite literally like your needle has hit a brick wall. You're in the vein, but you're not going to get blood! So, you're maybe just unlucky that you have some valves in juicy-looking spots where phlebotomists want to poke. If you can remember where they are, point that out during your next blood draw, they'll probably thank you :) (source: I'm a nurse and this is just a thing that happens semi-regularly when we draw blood!)

Dave Brewer

I donate platelets frequently but occasionally have to stop because my red blood cell count is low. Is there anything I can do to keep the count higher? I already take iron regularly. Thank you.

Michael Davis

What is happening when a blood vessel on the side of your throbs and dwells up.

Char Harrison

Does having blood transfusions shorten your lifespan? Or is this more related to the disease or trauma that precipitated the need for a transfusion? My father needed 14 in one week after a gastric bleed (which actually turned out to be cancer) but the gastroenterologist at the time made a comment about blood transfusions shortening lifespan and I’ve always wondered if that was accurate.

Kathy Connelly

Is it true that blood donated by oldsters like me (66) is not as good as blood donated by younger people? And if the answer is yes, are there really rich people getting transfusions of blood from young people just because they can?

Death Nell (Nellaenora)

Why are some people's veins "roll-y" or hard to pinpoint with a needle, even if they're not small? Asking for me.

Yuri

Ppl w mecfs/long covid our red blood cells can't fold as well, so oxygen to smaller vascular places like under fingernails is worse. What is the mechanism that makes red blood cells unable to fold as well? We also have something similar to animals that hibernate in our plasma. Are there other diseases that do these? Why do they happen in a strongly mitochondria disease like mecfs? Is there anything (besides exercise, which makes mecfs worse) that can help the health of red blood cells and blood plasma? Yuri Beauty

Eating dog hair for a living

Is the only way to get rid of spider veins and varicose veins laser treatment? Is it true that if you have varicose veins you also have some kind of heart condition? What would the condition(s) be? What makes them show up in the first place? My aunt had a surgery on her heart to fix her heart flutters because some nerve wasn't functioning properly, have you heard of this. What causes heart flutters and hard beats in the heart? I've had both, should I be worried? Because 2 times I've had them do tests to find it and it never happens so I go home frustrated because they find nothing wrong but it's been happening since I was young. Can heart murmers cause fluttering, or pounding? My Dad had an enlarged heart, is that some kind of birth defect?

Björn Fredberg

How fast does the blood circulate? How fast is it replenished and replaced? Bonus question, if I were to injure say an arm and somehow get an infection in the bloodstream, would it spread with the blood to the rest of the body and if so how fast would it spread?

Rebekah Wofford

Can we talk about Raynaud’s disease and the circulation issues that come with it? I know a ton of people, myself included, who have it. (My last name is pronounced like the college in SC)

Elizabeth Altman

Why do my hands sweat in the winter time if I don’t wear socks? why is it so hard to find my veins is there anything more I can do other than hydrate and stay warm before blood work?

Chris Curious

Is it bad for your veins if you give blood too often?

Madeleine Ash

First time question asker…dear god WHY do I bruise so easily???

CARLOS L DE LA ROSA

Is there a way to recover or heal the veins from the back of one's hands after chemotherapy?

Milly

I read that your blood vessels could circle the globe if laid out in a line, is this true?

Björn Fredberg

Is blood more of a disease vector than other bodily fluids? Would it be worse to get sprayed with blood than say saliva?

Jenna Congdon

I'm curious what the ologist might have to share about HHT (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia). It's rare-ish, but not that rare (1 in 5000, and is supposedly quite under-diagnosed), it runs in families, and it is often not dangerous but *can* be, and at a minimum, it causes some really annoying symptoms. Why is it almost never talked about?! It runs heavily in my family, but I've spoken with doctors who had no idea what it was.

Steve Prosterman

Thanks for this! My question is for those who have to deal with Peripheral Artery Disease, whether from diabetes or other issues. What is on the horizon that may help out with this?

Elisabeth L. Daley

Is there any validity to this notion of "Eat for your Blood Type"? Or total flim flam?

Jenna Congdon

Honestly, nah. If they're getting medical care that requires a blood transfusion, we're going to check no matter what you say. There is too much potential for a dangerous reaction if you happened to be wrong (no offense! just...safety first). If it's an emergency, we check it really really fast, or if we absolutely don't have time, we give O negative, which can safely be given to anyone.

KeyLime Pi

Why do some people (aka myself) bruise super easily?

Heather Heater

What’s with varicose veins? I feel incredibly vein 😜 about them and hate them so much. Are they dangerous? Does having them lead to increased risk of stroke? What’s the tea on getting them removed? Why do they form as we age?

Seán Thomas Kane

Is there a scientifically proven best practice for stopping nosebleeds?

Sarah Jo

What are the long term cardiovascular impacts of COVID infections?

Vanessa Frey

I am a regular plasma donor - twice a week, sometimes 6 to 8 times a month. I know the plasma is used for a good purpose to help create critical treatments, but am I doing any long term damage to my own health?

Alan Gross

First time question asker: I've heard that the swelling of ankles can be caused by "leaking" veins. Is this true? Do some veins leak?

Kathleen Regovich

What's the best way to explain to people that your blood isn't blue, even though your veins look blue through your skin?

Sarah Jo

Is sitting on my feet all the time doing any long term damage to my circulation (say no please)?

Alli B

Same! I am also wondering why doctors treat pregnant people for Rh factor even if both people giving DNA are the same? Is this because they don’t trust us? 🤣

Jessica Chance

How close are we to being able to create blood for transfusions without it coming from other people, something like lab-created meat?

Jenna Congdon

it gets re-oxygenated as the person who is receiving the blood breathes! no big deal

Kelsey Larson

How similar is blood across species? What animal models are particularly good (or particularly bad) for studying blood-related conditions?

Esther

Why does the sight or even just the thought of blood make some of us feel queasy? Would be great to stop fainting during blood tests…

Nicole Whiting

What is blood pooling in the legs? Why does it suck so much? Is there a good way to prevent it?

Anastasia Doherty

Are the blood vessels that ring blood to your scalp all capillaries? What is the connection to capillary blood flood and hot flushes of perimenopause being so significant at the neck and scalp?

Harper

How strong are our veins and arteries? How much pressure can they withstand from the inside? Thinking in terms of blood pressure or minimally invasive heart procedures.

Ann McHenry

Is it true that regular blood donation can help reduce microplastics in your body? Are we going to come all the way back around to bleeding people for health reasons?

Connie Brooks

What exactly is a vagal response, and does it have to do with veins and blood?

Ann McHenry

I love running, but my stamina is always terrible for weeks after blood donation. I know it's important to do, so do you have any advice on faster/better recovery?

Hailee Kirby

For procedures like Coronary artery bypass graft, how can they take a vein from one part of your body and graft it to another without your body missing the vein that was removed? Wouldn't that part of your body be receiving less blood?

Alex Vangelatos

I've always wondered if there was a difference between what would be clinically considered "varicose veins" and just having very prominent veins (especially in lower legs and feet/hands) that really show off (aka bulge and pulse) after exercising. And if they signal any elevated risk for future cardiovascular problems. or maybe if it's connected to why my feet are always swollen by the end of the day?

Harper

I’ve gotten a few different medical scans that involve contrast dye, and the IV line gets flushed with saline each time. Why does the saline in my blood make my nose smell soapy? How fast does the dye get filtered after injection? Why does the dye sometimes make me much warmer in my groin/pelvis if it’s circulating everywhere?

Alex Vangelatos

I'd also love to learn more about inflammation and the vasculature. What exactly is going on and is chronic inflammation from injury or stress doing permanent damage to the blood vessels?

Harper

What exactly is a cherry hill angioma and why do we get them? I was told they’re very difficult to remove without scarring because of the blood supply.

Seven Petrichor

(first time question asker) I donate platelets regularly. Sometimes I get something called an infarction, I think? The techs tell me it's when the needle isn't positioned properly so when my blood is returned after the platelets are removed, it stings like a mofo. What exactly is happening? Also I CANNOT look at the needle at all, or I'll pass out. I've literally lost consciousness just from looking at the needle in my arm. Why am I such a wuss with blood?

Margaret Downs

Is having good circulation related to how easily/how much a person bleeds or bruises? My hands don't get/stay cold easily, and if I get anything much deeper than a paper cut on my hands I bleed like CRAZY. My ex joked he had thicker skin because he hardly bled at all. But I was wondering if there's a circulation component to it as well? (Sidenote, phlebotomists LOVE me because I'm a super easy stick; my veins are very visible and large, not sure if that's related as well.)

Sydonie S.

Is there a genetic link for varicose veins? If so, what can I do to best do to prevent them?

winn

why are people at higher risk of deep vein thrombosis after major surgery?

winn

I read somewhere that blood thinners don’t actually thin blood. How do they work? are there different kinds? are there also meds that are “thickeners”?

Lisa Kahn

RAYNAUD'S SYNDROME. I live in Los Angeles and my hands and feet feel like cold metal 75% of the year. Always seeking more tips to help. Can the reduced blood flow exacerbate other problems such as plantar fascitis or achilles tendonitis?

Molly Rupp

Not a full question since I (as someone who has had to regularly receive blood transfusions) have a general idea, but would love to hear more about why the IVs have to be so much bigger for blood (as opposed to things like hydration and iron).

Lisa Kahn

Also why does the sound and feel of a pulse FREAK. ME. OUT. Like it makes me feel nauseous.

Molly Rupp

Sometimes if you get the iron through a prescription and filled in a pharmacy (as opposed to OTC), insurance will cover it!

David Villafranco

What's the deal with the blood brain barrier, is there just beefed up t cells keeping guard? How are certain things stopped from going in and also can we scientifically and technologically speaking make things pass that barrier that normally wouldn't?

ValBeListening

Will rubbing a bruise make it heal faster? Can you do anything to make a bruise heal faster or do you just have to wait it out?

Jackie McCann

(FTQA) I used to donate blood to the Red Cross every 60 days, but began having major issues with fatigue and sleepiness. Eventually my doctor determined that my iron was extremely low, likely due to over-donating. I noticed that Canada and a few other orgs in the US have different guidelines for women donating. Why does the Red Cross say 56 days and others say 84 days for women? And why are these guidelines different between men and women?

Paul Hoffman

For us folks over 50: which of the visible vein issues should we care about and which should we just sigh about?

David Villafranco

Also not a question but when I found out that urine was essentially dumped from your veins into your bladder it shook me to my core

Molly Rupp

ALSO (maybe tangentially), why do I have an allergic reaction to one specific IV iron but not another one? I've gotten like 3 different types of iv iron and only reacted to ferrlecit

Audrey Hudak

Bruises!! What are they exactly? Could you please explain the blood bruise healing process with colors?

Mark Hewlette

How gentle do you need to be when placing a stent or inflating an angioplasty? Are veins and arteries pretty durable? Do they get brittle or less flexible as you age? Does a stent ever become overgrown with plaque. BTW, I'm not a doctor but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

David Villafranco

Third question, can we talk about how amazing horseshoe crab blood is, have we figure out how to synthesize it in a lab versus harvesting from love crabs

Audrey Hudak

Do mother and baby have the same blood type? If no, why and what happens?

Alli B

Has the discovery of the interstitium changed the theory of how metastasis occurs, and how does the circulatory system interact with interstitium in the prevention and spread of disease?

Alli B

Please have an episode on the interstitium, because I have so many questions!

Hailee Kirby

Another question, i think blood types are based on the antigens on the surface of the blood cell. If thats true, is it possible to "wash" blood to make it free of antigens, and therefore universal?

Johanna Burr

Hi Allie! Can you please ask how high blood sugar can cause so many problems for your veins? What's actually happening at the cellular level? And why does that long-term damage result in things like peripheral neuropathy or eyesight damage?

Krawl One

How does the brain continue to function with massive restriction (90%) in the carotid arteries due to plaque build up? My mom suffered cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after cartoid artery surgery. How does CHS effect the brain?

Johanna Burr

If vampires existed, would it actually be possible for them to suck a bunch of blood right out of your neck with just two fangs that act like straws? Or are all the veins so small and dispersed throughout your body that they'd need an IV kind of a set-up to get all that blood? The mechanics of it all just seem suspicious...

elcapitann

Vasovagal syncope. Just why? And can you do anything to avoid it happening?

Libby Hagedon

Pelvic congestion syndrome - what’s up with that, and what’s the best way to treat it?

Blair C

Is there a test for Creutzfeld-Jacob disease? I lived in Germany from ‘84-‘86 and still can’t donate blood. As a woman with no uterus I would like to offload some RBCs!

KAREN CALLA-BRANTLEY

Are AVM'S rare in small bowel or large intestines? Can they bleed enough to cause low blood count. Hemoglobin

Amanda

Hey there, I just asked a raynauds syndrome question in the thyroid episode. It may apply here better. Just curious why my body sucks at temperature regulation and why my hands a feet turn white with cold in the summer! Thank you!

Anastasia Press

How come some people have bad circulation in their hands and feet? And are there ways to improve it? Asking for myself and my cold extremities

Alli B

Where are we at in culturing platelets and red and white blood cells?

Nehemiah myles

If you have veins that roll aggressively is there a way to fix that issue

Red Rose Inn

Why do I sometimes have vein pain? And how do I fix it?

B Miller

What causes varicose veins? Are they dangerous? Are you more likely to have a heart disease if you have them? How can you stop them from forming? Why do some people bruise more easily than others? Does it mean something if you bruise more easy? Why do phlebotomists always have a hard time finding my veins?

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Why am I a sook about getting my blood drawn? I wish I could donate but honestly even the thought of it makes me nauseous

Anastasia Press

Can we talk about blood and pregnancy/birth? I recently gave birth and was astounded to learn that during birth, most of my baby's blood was transferred to her during the minutes her cord was still pulsing, before the placenta was birthed. I've heard babies who receive all their blood because of delayed cord clamping (ie, waiting to cut the cord until it stops pulsing) have better health outcomes for years, but is that true??

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Thoughts on the scene of Bella drinking blood through a straw cup in Breaking Dawn? 🥤

EDM

Why do some people (okay, my dad) experience their vascular tissues “melt” during surgery while others don’t ? What’s happening there?

EDM

What do you think is the most important/interesting/useful invention in your field from the last ten years or in process now? What do you like about your work?

Olivia

i have EDS and the phlebotomist always has a tough time sticking me, i was told this is because my lack of collagen means my veins arent anchored down to the surrounding tissue. can you ask the ologist about the physiology of how out veins stay in place and why they are in the specific intricate layout?

Olivia

omg i had no idea! i was really surprised to hear how much bleeding happens after birth

Vanessa Adams

Why do vessels get fragile as we age? Is it loss of collagen?

Dave Cannon

Why blood? Is there any other type of fluid that could have worked?

Olivia

what makes some people bruise like a peach and others dont? i always find rando bruises

Tabitha Dell’Angelo

What about it? I’m interested to know more about horse shoe crab blood

Vanessa Adams

Why do some people bruise so much more easily than others? I always seem to have a bruise somewhere on my body.

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Thank you! Despite nice veins, it typically takes 3 sticks before they get one that works!

El Jewel

Why do I feel woozy when I see any blood at all?

Avery Khoo

Why are veins blue but blood is red?

Chuck Meriam

What is the possibility, status, and/or challenges with creating artificial blood (for supplementing donor reserves)?

ConnieConnieBoBonnie

I’ve had varicose veins as long as I can remember. Are some people just more prone to them? I’ve heard procedures to remove them are crazy painful. Is that true? Why do they happen and why do they hurt?

Erica Flory

I had never heard of this! ❤️ I have only lost consciousness once.

Naomi Jane

Any thoughts on the Japanese personality types relating to blood groups? What's the lore there, and how is it still revered in the 21st century?

Greg Lewis

Why do people bruise more easily as they age?

The Farming Linguist

I’m a long time blood donor, and recently was required to do platelets as well (loved the idea of a long appointment forcing me to just chill and watch some trash tv). I tested to low on iron on the day of my appointment, so wasn’t able to donate. I learnt at that appointment that as part of the donation they’d inject something to keep the blood from clotting. This knowledge has me skeptic of going back for a new platelet appointment. Could the ologist educate me about this injected medication. What does it do during the donation, what (if any) are the long term effects on my body. I’d like to learn more to make a more informed decision about future platelet donation

The Farming Linguist

I sometimes have a weird *bloop-bloop-bloop-bloop* feeling in the calf of my lower right leg. I’ve always thought of it as bubbles in my veins. Can one actually have bubbles in their veins?

The Farming Linguist

I swear to god, I always have at least three bruises! Where do they come from? No one knows? I am clumsy, but still, you’d think I’d remember getting hurt more often for all those bruises to show up

Naomi Jane

Also keen to know this!

ConnieConnieBoBonnie

I’ve heard all kinds of cool things about changes in blood volume and composition during pregnancy. What’s the scoop?

Sharon

I imagine blood vessels like a branching tree, but that must be wrong, because the blood has to make a loop and get routed back to my lungs via my veins. What’s a better mental picture for the vessels in the tips of our fingers and toes?

Neurotic Gardener

As someone with a severe vasovagal syncope response even just seeing this post is causing me to feel lightheaded, sweaty and icky panic. Every time I needed to get an IV or blood draw (never can find a vein etc and have to do it in my hand) I’m lightheaded or vomiting. I will likely never be able to listen to this episode but would love to know why this so so difficult for some people to handle anything and everything involving this topic and if there’s hope for folks with vasovagal syncope. Need to go lay down now. 🤢

Kieran H

Is there a reason why veins roll? Whenever I have to get a blood draw, I’ve been told that my veins like to roll. I always picture veins as pretty much stuck in place but are they just like big spaghetti noodles flopping around in there?!

Naomi Jane

Where do we have the most and least veins in our bodies? Or does it vary from person to person?

Sara

Someone I love was just diagnosed with vasculitis. Does that mean her body is attacking her blood vessels? Will it stop?

Will Clark

What is the relationship between Diabetes and circulation?

Naomi Jane

Can we have an explainer on blood pressure? Whenever I watch TV dramas and they talk about "flip-floppity over nine-diggity" I never have a Scooby-Doo what they're talking about!

Iris Clover

Does the science in the 100 make sense? With the black blood protecting someone from radiation and an AI chip killing them? 😂

Will Clark

What is the deal with the Blood Type diet?

Iris Clover

Same and for the smallest reasons

Naomi Jane

What happens when someone is given the wrong blood type?

Iris Clover

Also Elena in Vampire Dairies when she's in college hahaha

Cian verbridge

How do your veins dilate and how why don’t the blood cells stick to the inside of the vein

Bethany Schulze

First time question asker! I was at the hospital for a c-section earlier this year and was told that my veins were beautiful but very "roll-y". What causes some people to have roll-y veins? The nurses used a Vein Finder device to locate alternative veins they could try to stick. The green laser-to-vein contrast on my skin was so freakin cool! Why hasn't the goth clothing industry capitalized on vein-patterned arm sleeves?? (asking as a goth scientist)

Birdie the Jay

I recently was diagnosed with Behçet's Disease and was given an alarming (yet oddly hilarious) infographic that said: "your blood vessels are on fire!" My question is, why the heck would having inflamed blood vessels lead to so many weird symptoms like mouth sores, skin lesions, achey joints, and eye inflammation? It feels like such a weird grab bag of symptoms all caused by this.

Tyler Williams

Okay...I know blood isn't actually blue, but can you just have the ologist say it out loud so I can show my students :) They don't believe me even with these degrees

Katie Wilkinson

OK. As a laboratory assistant/tech I had had this question for over a decade and nobody has ever given me an answer. When a patient is in DKA and also has very lipemic blood, WHY does the plasma tube (lithium heparin) tend to hemoluze severely, but the serum tubes are lipemic still but not hemolyzed? Are the excess lipids emulsifying the outer layer of the blood cells making them more friable?

Val

I’m also curious about this. I have a really good vein in my left arm that has been a used for probably 95% of all blood donations or draws in my life.

Attacusatlas

Is bruising bad for you? I am very clumsy and constantly banging into tables, chairs, and most other objects. While these knocks barely hurt, they often leave bruises, and I wonder if frequent bruising is harmful or if it’ll create a problem as I age.

Attacusatlas

Yes! Why do some otherwise healthy people seem to have poor circulation that leaves the extremities extra cold?

Sadie Vipond

What is the origin behind 'blue blood' meaning you are royalty? Is that because the british monarchy were all super fricking pale??

Sadie Vipond

Can you speak on that young russian royal prince with the blood condition?

Magdalena Castillo

How does iodine work for preventing radiation damage? Why do even people who do sports get vericose veins?

Olga Kolesnikova

What is the difference between veins, arteries, capillaries etc? Is it just the size or is there more to it?

Sadie Vipond

Would you ever be a vampire yes or no?

Val

I’ve donated blood fairly regularly since I’ve been old enough, and I tend to fill the bag pretty fast, even when not squeezing my hand as often as recommended. I’m kinda worried that if I’m ever severely injured I’ll bleed out really fast. Is this something I should be concerned about??

Jennifer Lemon

How close are we to growing artificial blood in a lab? Could it be grown like the meat grown in bioreactors, or through some other means?

Jasmine Tsai

FTQA: Is it true that when veins collapse they do not heal? I’ve had several blood tests where the collector has collapsed a vein and had to seek alternative veins. I know new veins “grow” to supply the area but what happens to the old one? Does our body metabolise it? And why do my veins collapse all the time? Just bad collectors or something else?

Voxothoth

What exactly is the blood-brain barrier? I know it's not a literal wall of blood surrounding the brain, but that's what I like to picture haha

Spicy Native

Do we grow new veins all the time? Or at some point do our veins grow in like adult teeth and stay that way until we die?

Mandie Viscusi

Person with a vascular birthmark here! Why do birthmarks happen?! I have a Port Wine Stain on my face, my son has a strawberry (?) on his shoulder.

Ellen Durnal

I have O Negative blood, but I haven't tried to donate blood in years because I am afraid of needles and always get a vasovagal response (my blood pressure drops from the fear and I look very pale and sickly and then they send me home). I feel like I’m doing a disservice by never donating my blood when I’m healthy and a universal donor. Is there anything I can do??

Maureen Flood

I also want to know about this, or a universal blood product that doesn't cause issues with different blood types.

Ellen Durnal

Why do different people's veins appear different colors through their skin? Blue, green, or purple?

Ellen Durnal

Is it true that blood isn't red in your body and only turns red when it hits the air? I heard that all the time as a kid but it seems flim-flammy

Maureen Flood

Why do blood clots tend to form where they do in the legs, lungs, heart, and brain? How does high blood sugar damage the lining of the arteries and veins in people with prediabetes and diabetes? Will there ever be artificial valves to replace the collapsed valves for folks with venous insufficiency? How effective are coils at preventing aneurysms from bursting in the brain? What are the current options for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms and why are they more common in people with a history of smoking?

Travis Brooks

Sometimes after I give blood, I get sick. Nothing major, just a cold or something. Does the amount of blood I lose have a significant impact on my immune system, or is this likely just a coincidence?

Kurt Swanson

FTQA! I've had a lot of IV's in my life, and I've been told I have "good veins." Is that really a thing, and what makes for "good veins?"

Sienna

Ok, so everyone says that mammal RBCs are anucleated so that they can fold and pass through small capillaries while having a higher Hemoglobin capacity to increase O2 loading/unloading rates, but it doesn't make sense to me. The relative size of nonmammalian nucleated RBCs compared to their capillary diameter doesn't seem to be a significant difference. One answer I have found is that Mammals have larger genomes which would mean our nucleated RBCs would be proportionally larger and that this may have evolved during mammalian miniaturization when capilaries got smol fast? Though that doesn't account for the nucleated stage in the fetus or when adults rarely have circulating nucleated RBCs like during a bad infection or bleed. Can you weigh in?

Sienna

I would love to hear more about marine mammal blood and how they accomplish packing in Hg for deep dives

Sienna

How can you increase poor circulation?

Keegan Aspelund

I'm O+ and have heard that my blood type is compatible with a more meat focused diet but I've been happily and healthily vegetarian for over 6 years. Is there any truth to the suggestions to eat a certain way based on your blood type, feels too generic to me to hold significant weight.

Tracy Perkins

Why isn’t preeclampsia more widely studied or understood? I became preeclampic during labor (not for the faint of heart), and still don’t really understand why/how my placenta formed incorrectly. Can you explain to all of us in laymen’s terms?

Sophia A

I’d love to hear about the ways in which period blood differs from the blood that runs through our veins and arteries.

Sophia A

It means your veins don’t “roll” so when someone tries to stick them they don’t just roll away (rolling tends to happen in people who are extremely muscular, very thin, and/or poorly hydrated). Also, your veins might be happen to be in places that are a) closer to the surface of your flesh so easier to find and b) not in spots that are super annoying to have IVs (e.g your wrist).

Jackie G

the viens in my hands and wrists often bulge and I can raise my arm and feel the blook rush out and they shrink. Is this is sign of poor circulation? I often have lower than normal blood pressure is that related?

Jackie G

Seems like lots of people say they have poor circulation. Is that really a thing, or is it just something we assume to explain having cold hands?

Sophia A

Blood clots tend to form in places where there is less blood flow so a higher chance for things to get stuck. They tend to form in the legs of people who are stagnant and in the heart of people who have valve issues that cause their heart to pump in sufficiently. They don’t tend to form in the brain and lungs, they’re just SUPER dangerous if they get there and they’re likely to end up in your lungs cause all blood goes there for oxygenation

Jackie G

Why does blood pressure have two numbers? Is your blood pressure the same in all your veins at any given time, or is it influenced by location, gravity, ect?

Guido

How can blood reach every single living cell in our body? Can capillaries be so small to get to every cell, or is there a point where capillaries disappear and the oxygen is just released from the blood hoping it will reach the neighbouring cells?

Sophia A

Systolic/diastolic = the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts/the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest. BP is usually highest in arteries (rather than veins), particularly your major arteries like the aortic. If you use a blood pressure cuff on your leg you will get a lower reading than one on your arm because it’s further from your heart.

Emilia Phillips

How does the collagen-disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome impact one’s risks for blood and circulatory system conditions?

Jackie G

How does the brain get what it needs to live if the blood brain barrier exists?

Jackie G

Is there anything we can do to improve our vein health?

Stephanie Mckechnie

I'm not even sure if this is a blood/vein question, but my dad recently found out he has a 2mm brain aneurysm and despite lots of Google deep dives I don't quite understand them. Something about thin walls of brain veins? What are aneurysms? What is the mm measurement actually measuring? And can the walls ever repair themselves?

Anthony Richards

Are certain blood types more prone to certain conditions than others.?

Geo

I have a rare blood cancer called essential thrombocytopenia. I was wondering if you could ask something about myeloproliferative neoplasms. If the person you talk to can talk more maybe about the new research or ideas of where these came from and how it’s possible people can live their whole life with this disease that’s sometimes called cancer but also not at the same time.

Emmett

Why do some people's veins appear blue and some people's appear green?

Jackie G

Is rosacea considered a vascular disease?

Alli B

Tell me about the birth of blood cells! How does bone marrow do it? Are platelets also made there? Are any blood elements made in other organs in the body?

CurtisDawg

Why are veins blue when they carry red blood?

Alli B

Should we be saving newborns’ cord blood, or is it more beneficial to let babies get all the sweet, sweet cord blood they can? Is one decision better than the other?

Lara Ayres

How do iron infusions work? Are they technically transfusions?

Jackie G

Sorry for so many questions a family member has GPA and I've spent a lot of time reading about veins and building up a supply of questions!

Alli B

Why is the public asked to donate blood out of the goodness of their hearts, but hospitals charge patients a lot for their transfusions? What do those charges pay for?

Jackie G

Did that radiolab episode years ago that made blood donations sound like a bit of a scam have a noticeable impact on blood donations or supplies?

Heaven Clinger

1st question: Why do some people pass out when getting blood taken or even when getting an IV? I have passed with both and I have tried everything not to pass out but it is hit or miss. If I haven't eaten, I will most definitely pass out. 2nd question: Varicose veins, what causes them and should they be treated? Can they cause issues if let untreated.

Swisscheese Jess

I second the passing out... I have multiple piercings, I am a body piercer, im not afraid of blood.. however, I keep passing out when I have blood taken.... Medical care usually gives me a funny look since I have quite a few piercings in my face.....

Cassidy Weber

I’ve heard about how a developing fetus can have an incompatible blood type with the mother’s. How does that happen, why is it so dangerous, and how is it resolved?

Mattea Orr

What are these next generations of blood thinners and how are they different from the old guard?

Ron

What causes vitreous hemorrhages if there is no eye trauma or diabetes? Is it primarily aging?

Storm

when donating plasma my vein collapsed! what causes this to happen and what effects does it have on the body? Also is there anything i could do to be able to try again and successfully donate plasma?

Elizabeth Potter

What is the basis of the belief that red-haired people bleed easily and more (like during birth)? Why are some blood components acceptable to people who would not accept whole blood?

Kay Lucas

Why do some people's veins look really blue and some are not so?

Kay Lucas

What is a "rolling vein"?

Madeline DLC

Any tips for fainting/nausea when donating blood or when getting an IV in?

Phylicia Chandler

Varicose veins…what exactly are they, are they hereditary, why are some painful, is there ways to prevent them?

Sonjabird

Why are camels the only mammals to retain nucleated red blood cells? Why are there no organisms that have both nucleated and anucleated rbc’s? It’s either one or the other, right?

Addie Cappello she her

I have been told by more than one flabotomist that I have lovely veins lol - they’re extremely pronounced and somewhat 3D through my skin (mostly on my hands, arms, and extremely so on my feet). My mom sort of has the same thing with her hands. Is this genetic? Is this due to being super-de-duper hydrated? Will this be a problem in future when skins gets thinner with age? Also, the first time I donated blood my vein collapsed. I was told this happens if someone “doesn’t know what they’re doing”- what actually happens when a vein collapses? It’s clearly temporary since my vein has since been back up and running for donations without issue. Why does hemoglobin level vary from finger to finger when they test it before a blood donation? What’s actually happening when you feel like you’re going to pass out during a blood donation? Why does eating adequate food and water before donating help prevent the nauseating blackout sensation? And why does an ice pack on the back of the neck help make you feel better? Can you explain a little more about blood types? What does the + or - mean? What is the science behind sickle cell anemia? Why and how are the RBC “sickle” shaped? If a person is rabies vaccinated, is there always a little bit of rabies in their cardiovascular system? Maybe I’m just trying to gain some vamparitic badass cred, and it’s not really as cool as I imagine it to be. (A girl can dream) Thank you!!! (She/her pronouns 🤓)

Addie Cappello she her

Also can you maybe talk about “runners heart” or “athletes heart” and thw science behind how the heart can grow to pump more blood more efficiently through the body? I recently was made aware of this condition and would like to know more about it! Thanks again!!

Amber McIntyre

Stents! What kinds exist and why are blood thinners required for life if they are there to keep the vein patent (open)?

Mini Minnie

My mother died because of a “leaky AVM” in her brain. She was on blood thinners for a heart condition, so it really leaked when it got going. I remember the Dr in the hospital saying most people have AVMs in their heads and never know it, so I’ve been freaked out for years that I have an AVM that will just cut loose some day. Are AVMs in the head common? Should I (my sister too) be getting a scan of some kind to see if there is one? If an AVM is detected, how likely is it that it will cause a problem, and can a potential problem be averted?

Addie Cappello she her

Same. I always blame being vegan, but hopefully the ologist can touch on this!!!

Addie Cappello she her

I’d say someone is getting sued- but I also want to know the scientific answer as well.

Rozelyn Hesby

What’s happening with circulation in tall folks? My husband (6'6") & his father (6'3") both have circulation issues they both attribute to their height but have never explained why

Addie Cappello she her

Thoughts on Edward’s venom pulsing through Bella’s body at the end… her heart would stop so the blood pumping would not be possible….. I genuinely hope this is a serious discussions please and thank you.

Espi Oyarzun

yes! this happened with my mom when she was pregnant with me and one of my brothers. she has O- blood and my brother and i have O+ so she had to take a medication so that her body didn’t try to kill the fetus while she was pregnant. i’d love to know more about how this was discovered and how the medication works/how the medication was developed?

Mark McPhillips

In Star Trek, the Vulcans have greenish skin because their blood is copper based as opposed to the iron in humans' blood. Do you think it would be plausible for a species to evolve in real life with a different metal in its blood like that?

GhoulNextDoor

I get vasovagal syncope severely (I don’t know if that’s how it should be phrased)- primarily in response to ANYTHING medical, recently just someone talking at length of a hospital itself made me pass out. It’s very unpleasant and quite the hindrance to receiving any medical attention. I’m curious about why that happens?? If the ologist knows any ways to prevent passing out?? I may get woozy listening to this episode but I promise to listen responsibly! 😅

Fuzzgoddess

I keep trying to give blood, but they either can't get a vein or I clot up too fast. Is there anything I can do to be an easier stick? Besides hydrate, I've tried that one. Apparently I've got small, deep, squirmy veins, and low blood pressure, so at this point I've given up 🫠

Christian Swenson

Joining the Vaso vagal syncope conversation, doesn’t seem to be anything related to my heart as I’ve had that tested but every time I stop exerting myself, I get faint… with my low blood pressure, I’ve been a fainter since childhood…

mossdreams

Is it true men who have sex with men can't donate blood? How can we get blood donation facilities to stop being homophobic in their intake questions?

mossdreams

What are the most dangerous places on the body to experience a laceration?

mossdreams

What is the most important blood related emergency knowledge to have?

mossdreams

Talk about twin to twin transfusion syndrome, me and my identical sibling would appreciate it haha

mossdreams

Is POTS becoming more common?

mossdreams

What foods are good for your blood?

Greg Walloch

Do they enjoy a full English breakfast? Blood sausage/black pudding? Yay or Nay?

Greg Walloch

When you give blood is it healthy for the body to need to regenerate new blood or is it taxing?

kerry wells

I had an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on my left frontal lobe! I had the AVM removed when I was 19 and now I'm 45. I sometimes experience really painful headaches right where I had the surgery - I'm assuming it's from inflammation where I have my titanium plate and screws. If I had a question for your guest, it would be - is it common to have such headaches? Also, thank you thank you thank you for the work you are doing! Side note - The AVM was discovered because I had about 20 seizures a day - I was also working to get my degree in physics at the same time. I got the degree (insert celebratory emoji) and I'm telling you, I would make for one scary bald head, if I so decide to dress up for Halloween....I'm so excited for this episode!

Edda Rós

Like most people I occasionally get random bruises. But more often I don't get bruises when I expect to, like I once fell down the stairs in my home and landed quite badly on my arm. I did not get a single bruise from it. Why? Could it be related to me having dysautonomia and my blood pressure going really low when it happened?

worst_mess_ever

With my inferior vena cava excised due to a sarcoma, my circulation is systemically compromised and I get lactic acid pain and oxygen debt with slight exertion. It's getting worse. Is there anything can be done to stop my body's gradual decline?

Lisa Gorman

I started getting varicose veins in my late 20s, clearly genetic for me as my mom and grandmother have them. Is there anything I can do to make fewer of them pop up, or is genetics destiny for these? Are they linked to any actual health problems or do they just look gross?

Cecelia Morales

What’s the deal on blood types??? Why are there different types and why are some more rare than others??

Meagan Walker

Do varicose veins indicate a need for behaviour change or are they inevitable?

Meagan Walker

Why do some people have low BP but others’ is higher?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) Is having 'poor circulation' real? Are there different types? How much of it is a less-than-ideal distribution of circulatory vessels versus difficulties regulating them? Should I blame Scandinavian ancestors for why my hands are cold all the time? 2) How much can blood volume change without you noticing? What about when you notice? How reduced is blood volume when you are slightly dehydrated? 3) How does the body know how to regulate blood vessel size? What conditions, mutations, or substances interfere with this? 4) How does Raynaud's syndrome work? Should I be worried about my toes falling off if they go all Raynaud's white because they got too chilly and I don't warm them up fast enough? Is Raynaud's more or less likely to happen if I'm sufficiently nutritionally supplied or something? 5) Is there an ideal temperature to live/work in to encourage better circulation? 6) After COVID-19 are you seeing different issues popping up in the clinic? How much are people talking about the fibrin paper? https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07873-4#Abs1 7) How does arnica work to resolve bruising? 8) When collecting blood donations, what is the screening process like and what pathogens are being tested for? How many people are walking around with pathogens they don't know about? 9) How hard is to stick pieces of vasculature together? Are you using glue? How do you get it to not leak? Are animal donors used? Is synthetic material used? 10) What is the weirdest or hardest case you ever worked?

Brie Stewart

Shelby Stewart, age 11: what are blood clots made out of?

Brie Stewart

Tucker Stewart, age 13: how long are the total blood vessels in the body if you add them all up or string them together end to end?

Brie Stewart

Is blood actually blue when it’s not exposed to air or is that a myth?

Sheepan

1. My mother was a nurse, and told me that when she had men who wouldn’t quit jumping and making her miss when trying to start an IV in their arm, she’d threaten to use the big vein in their penis instead if they didn’t hold still. Is that actually a thing that happens, or was she just bullshitting me/them? 2. I understand why getting IV fluids makes you so cold, but why the hell can’t they warm it up before pumping it into you! I’m already sick enough to need fluids, be gentle! 3. What are those little red dots that sometimes show up in a fresh bruise? 4. Why do I bruise so badly? Is it just because I’m vampirically pale?

Ani Gee

I found in my early thirties it was harder to find my veins when I went to donate blood. I still drink a ton of water and make sure to eat iron-rich foods the day before, what caused or what causes that type of change? I finally was able to donate several months back but I'm still worried about going back. I hate to go through the trouble and getting stuck just to not be able to donate.

Ani Gee

Is it genetic for your blood vessels to become harder to find? Where's that just a normal thing with aging? I'm only in my early 40s and for at least a decade it's been starting to get more and more difficult to find my blood vessels despite drinking a ton of water!

Jess H

We now know that COVID is a vascular disease, rather than respiratory only. What are the implications of this?

Jo Alexander

What causes the varicosities? I think genetics somewhat (all my recent ancestors have significant varicose veins), but what are modifiable risk factors? Compression socks don’t really help, do they?

Garrett McLaughlin

What causes veins to be harder or easier to draw blood from?

Jess H

It seems like medical tests are becoming easier to do at home with a finger prick blood sample — are these as reliable as going to the doctor and having blood drawn? How does the finger prick sample stay "good" through the mail to the lab in the home tests?

Mona Finlayson

If blood gets its colour from iron, then why is it red? Shouldn't it be orange and why is octopus blood blue if it has copper in it? Shouldn't it be green? Also, is it true that octopuses have blue blood?

Elliot Feeling

FTQA and I’d love to know if there is a connection between COVID and blood clots. Are they seeing more of these in the aftermath of practically everyone having the virus? Also is there any way to prevent these from happening? I had a clot in my arm last year which caused me to take many months off work, and a friend’s brother died of a pulmonary embolism in his late 30s.

Diana Burgess

What actually causes poor blood circulation? Why are my feet often pins and needles? Do compression socks help with that?

Amy Bumford

Is vein structure, like blood type, hereditary? E.g. Is my daughter, with small, "wiggly" veins, a difficult draw because I am?

Amy Bumford

All my life I have had very visible capillaries on my thighs and upper back. Any correlation to varicose veins later in life? Or am I just pale?

Mona Finlayson

When I get a cut and bleed, does that mean my veins got cut? When I imagine a vein, I think of something big enough to get an iv tube into, but do we have micro veins? How many veins do we have exactly?

Mona Finlayson

Are all veins for either pumping new clean blood towards appendages and used dirty blood away from those appendages, or are there other vein function?

Mona Finlayson

What would I look like without blood?

Amy Copler

My dad and I are very veiny (veins are super visible through the skin and pop out on arms and hands). WHY do they stick out like tree roots who can’t stay underground? 😄

Jackie G

curious about what it means to be a vascular surgeon. Do people get vein surgery, or is it a specialty that has to be present for other kinds of surgery where veins end up cut? how do they do stitches small and tight enough?

Jackie G

Is there a medical name for poor circulation?

Heidi heidistrohl@mail.com

My mother has bad varicose veins, am I doomed to have them too? What can I do to prevent them?

Keerat Singh

What determines how much your veins stand out?

RhondaWantsAllTheDogs

For those of us that have tiny veins and can never get a draw on the first (or second) "poke", how do we strengthen our veins so they're bigger and stronger?

Lalie Broten

Varicose veins... does wearing heels create these little fuckers? Or is that spider veins??

Obilot

Which came first? Blood or veins? (I’m guessing blood?) Do we know anything about the evolution of veins? What kind of tissue are they?!

Sarah Meaden

What's with wierdo's obsessions with "purifying your blood" when it comes to health scams?

Miranda Panda

Is crossing my legs bad for my veins/circulation? I'm sure it's overall bad for my posture and such, but it's a bad habit that I just can't seem to break.

Miranda Panda

Do please discuss hemophilia! I find this disorder so fascinating and scary. I once worked with a kiddo in my adventure sports camp with hemophilia and it was such a stressful week. As a certified cluts, I can't even imagine that being something I have to keep in mind every single day.

Miranda Panda

Why do my veins roll around when people try to poke them with needles? Is this genetic (anecdotally, it seems to be).

Miranda Panda

I have always struggled with have too low of a blood pressure, despite taking iron supplements and drinking lots of water. It always surprises new doctors and nurses. Have you done any research on why blood pressure can be so different person to person despite diet and activity?

Miranda Panda

I see a lot of blood type questions. To take that a step further, I'm super curious about why there are only 8. Why did our variations stop there?

Dr Kasey

Are my hands and feet always cold because of poor circulation? Or is that just a myth?

Dr Kasey

I second this question! I heard it gives varicose veins. Is that just an old wives tale?

Nathalie Jones

How do acupuncturists not hit veins? Also, is it normal to hate getting your blood drawn?

Lyrebird

what actually is a blood type? how are they different and why does it matter?

Between Dumplings

I donate blood often. Years ago a nurse told me AB+ was always needed because it could be broken down into “quad packs for infants” is that true? I’m not going to stop donating if it’s flim flam but I have wondered if they just noticed I’m that easy a target…

mariia k

is it true that it hurts more to take blood from the vein that is the most visible than the ones further down?

Matthew Walcher

Is there any truth to eating for your blood type?

Tanner

Similar to the acupuncturist question, any tips for NOT hitting a vein when doing regular injections of medicine? And why does it hurt and bruise so gosh darn much when you DO hit one?!

Myra Poundstone

Why do SO MANY people seem to have big issues with low iron levels (which then can impact haemoglobin production when it’s bad enough)? I know menstruating people lose it that way, but the majority of women I know are on iron supplements and a lot of them, myself included, have needed iron infusions at one point or another. Low iron levels, when they get extreme enough, can be debilitating, and it doesn’t make sense to me as a species why so many of us are so bad at iron uptake. Love it if the ologist can shed some light on this.

Matt Hirschl

Why does my brain say peace out and pass out right after donating blood?

Michelle

How often is blood renewed in our bodies?

Time Dr., Phd

Yes! I'd love to hear what we know about why some people black out at the sight of blood

Time Dr., Phd

I bleed if I hit a thorn while gardening. I don't bleed from an acupuncture needle. Is that just more shallow, or can one intentionally dodge blood vessels somehow?

Kayla Meyer

why does taking blood make people (ahem, me) faint?? like is that a normal body experience or should i seek help lol

BulkyKibbles

Hemochromatosis - how rare is it? Can it be controlled through diet or will blood draws to reduce your iron levels always be the only way to control it?

BulkyKibbles

When I am getting blood drawn, I am always told I have "good veins" - what does that actually mean? I always take it as a compliment, but I would be nice to know what they are really talking about.

Consistent Calamity

So in respect to blood color why red? Instead of blue or green?

Vita Trincali

I have afib and take eliquis, how do these drugs work? I told a doctor once that I was on a blood thinner and he corrected me saying it was an anticoagulant not a blood thinner. Wtf? Is there a difference? What is it?

Vita Trincali

My mother had bad varicose veins and suffered from frequent leg cramps. Is there a Connection?

Kelly Shaver

How bad is it to get a transfusion of the wrong blood type? Is it an instant death situation?

Kelly Shaver

I have Reynaud's and frequently get the numb, super white fingers. WHY???

Gwen Kelly

Raynauds syndrome?? And also vasoconstriction and vasodilation?? How does it it work? Why does it sometimes not work right?? It can be a mildly chilly fall day ~60F and my fingers and toes will start to lose circulation. Cold, pale, painful and then numb. My dad used to say, “do jumping jacks and run around to get your blood flowing” but it still doesn’t necessarily flow into my fingers and toes. Whyyy?

Kelly Shaver

After doing surgery on a vein or artery, how does the surgeon get it to seal back together? Can you put stitches in a vein?

Kelly Shaver

What is actually happening when someone has an aneurysm?

Kelly Shaver

How fragile are veins? During surgery, can surgeons just move them aside or do they break?

Kelly Shaver

What is the difference between a regular bruise and a burst vein? Why are they so painful?

Emily Gilbert

Why, why, WHY!? do so many lab techs suck at finding kid veins. As somebody who has needed to get regular blood work since I was an infant I know all the tricks for getting veins to pop. My childhood visits to the lab were with lunch boxes full of heat packs and small weights to lift while I wait to get stabbed at least 3 or more times. I always hated when the tech was to proud to admit when they couldn't get a vein and just kept fishing.

Emily Gilbert

What are your thoughts on the idea of blood types associated with personality types? This is something of a thing in Japan (but I don't think it actually taken very seriously)

Ari Fox

Why do people pass out when they get blood drawn?

Doug Foster

A heart surgeon named Dr Pradip Jamnadas recently posted a video in which he suggests atherosclerosis might be caused by positively charged Small dense LDLs (Low Density Lipoproteins) rupturing the negatively charged lining of coronary arteries. He notes that that plaques are rarely found in other arteries in the body, that the high oxygen levels of the lungs would place a + charge on SdLDLs leaving the lungs, and the coronary arteries would be the first arteries the highly + charged SdLDLs would enter. 2 questions & a side note... 1) Is atherosclerosis uncommon in "non-heart" arteries? 2) any thoughts on this possible mechanism? Side note: This is (at least to me) reminiscent of a story I heard about Linus Pauling. In the 1940s Pauling was apparently fascinated by a doctor's observation that, in sickle cell anemia patients, more sickle cells enter the lungs than exit the lungs. ( I may have gotten some of the details wrong). (Pauling eventually figured it out). (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npy0qwgh5RM&t=3597s (26:17)

ChickenChomper

What organisms have "blood" ? I know that some sea cucumbers have hemocytes with hemoglobin... does this count? haha

Mouse Paxton

Why are veins blue if deoxygenated blood is red? If you laid all of the veins in the average human's body end to end, how long would they go on for? What is the biggest vein by diameter in any living creature? Why do I bruise so easily? Why does the idea of tubes in my body gross me out so much?

Jessie Meeks

What causes varicose veins, and are they hereditary?

R P Bergmann

What makes some people more prone to nosebleeds? My daughter gets them weekly and I have never had one.

Vincent Beck-Jones

I may be being presumptuous but I'm going to assume your expertise includes the entire periferal vascular system (not just veins.) What percentage of vascular disease is caused by our diet? I realize high cholesterol diets contribute to plaque and calcified lesions but are there additional maladies caused by say an ovetaxed renal filtration due to excess proteins or electrolytes from high salt and sugar diets? What advice would you give young people before they reach midlife and have already done damage to their systems? In other words, what would you tell them to eat less of, eat more of, number of 4 locos or vodka shots, realistic daily number of steps or jumping jacks or dogs to walk in order to maintain healthy heart rates and vascular elasticity? From a medical perspective and not commecial or insurance based overstatements?

Fiona Dolphin

Curious about this too! My mom says they run in my family 🤔

Fiona Dolphin

What causes spider veins and varicose veins? Do they go away on their own? Are older people more likely to get them? Are they problematic or are they just annoying to have?

Jackie G

fascinating question!

Stephanie

Why is there a sign at my doctor’s lab saying not to exercise before a blood draw? The last time I went in I had forgotten about this and had done my normal morning workout routine, and they stabbed me about 12 times looking for a vein. Why would exercise make our veins so hard to find??

San Juan Josie

Please talk about the RH factor. I am RH negative. I had to have RhoGAM shots when I miscarried to keep my body from making antibodies to the blood of my next baby if it was RH positive. It worked! I have an RH positive son. Please have your blood and your partner’s blood tested before or when you are pregnant. People don’t talk about it much but it’s important.

Vanessa Patino

Hello, I often get cramps in my calves and feet. Is this due to poor circulation or a muscle issue?

Isabelle Sena

Hi! I am O positive so my local blood bank is my biggest fan and is always sending me calls and emails to donate. However, the last three times I’ve tried, my red blood cell count has been to low to share. Coincidentally, each time has been the week before my period. Are iron supplements a good idea for women who want to donate blood more often and what typically is a healthy iron level? Should I eat a giant steak the day before?

Catherine BH

I heard that type B is more resistant to cholera and so type B blood is more common in areas of the world where cholera is more of a problem. Truth or flimflam? And why?? Second question: why are the ABO blood type groups so much more important than all the other blood types? (Like M/N and others I haven't even heard of) Or when someone donates blood, do all those things get tested for and we just aren't aware?

India Carter

Hi! I am a new research assistant in a neuroscience lab and we have been talking alot about the blood brain barrier as a possible interest to explore. Do you have any interesting facts about the blood brain barrier?

Jeanette-o-saur

Tagging on because I do not have Reynaud's but I get chilblains and take vasodilators all winter to be a functional human. How can your vasodilation system just get crappier with time? How much is genetics vs environmental factors (e.g. frostbite episodes)? Is there anyway to improve this function? (I swear to god if one more person tells me to put my feet in an ice bath I'll have to find a new void to scream into)

Jeanette-o-saur

Haha me too but my mom is a retired nurse so I can help you with this one. It means your veins are easy to put the needle into (generally near the surface, clearly visible, nice and full/hydrated). Basically they appreciate only having to poke you once 😜

Danielle Sucher

What makes it harder to draw blood from some people? Phlebotomists often tell me that they missed because my vein *moved* - what does this really mean and how is it even possible?

Danielle Sucher

Why do people think bulging veins indicate extreme physical fitness?

Smiley Kylie (she/her)

What are veins made of, and how does blood know which way to flow?☺️

Meg W

What makes veins "difficult" to IV? What does it mean when nurses say they are small or branched or have "bumps" they have to push past?

Meg W

Had a stroke at 34 because of a Vertibral Dissection blockage....from headbanging at a concert... Are all necks vulnerable to this or can some folks have more delicate blood plumbing? I see people headbanging and worse all the time and cringe now! Haha

Kelly A Kayser

Why was COVID-19 causing blood clots, not just in legs but infarctions in organs?

Bee Beatrix

FTQA and I second the above question, I’m 31 and currently awaiting MRIs because of pulsatile tinnitus, and my doctor wrote “vertebral artery dissection suspected” on the MRI order. I am otherwise healthy and have no other risk factors 🙃

Amani Politano

From one vascular surgeon to another (hi!, and thanks for doing this episode): Can you tell everyone what a vascular surgeon does and how one contributes to the health system as a whole? What are the most common things vascular surgeons treat, and what are the cutting edge areas of the field? What can people do to improve/protect their own vascular health? Thanks for sharing and being a great physician!

Elizabeth

So many questions! Why do my varicose veins sometimes hurt and other times not? Does having them collapsed put someone at risk for other health concerns? Should they be avoided during a massage?

Organic Free-Range Lily

Will scientists ever create synthetic blood? If so, how close are we to doing so? (You know, just like in "True Blood" 😀) Hypothetically speaking, can I donate blood to my future self? Just stockpile a freezer full of it, so I'd be able to tap on my own supply when I really need it. Why are some people terrified of the sight of blood? Is that just cultural, or is there some biological reason for that?

Jen O

I know this is past the due date, and technically about *arteries* and not veins, but a small PSA..... A few years ago (when trying to donate a kidney) I was diagnosed with Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD). Although considered a "rare" disease, it's thought to be grossly underdiagnosed because there are no unique symptoms, and imaging is the only way to actually diagnose it. 90% of those affected are women, and if it's present it your coronary arteries it can lead to SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection), which is the leading cause of heart attacks in women under 50. There are fewer than 20 university/hospital clinics that specialize in FMD, which is the only way to get on the national registry of patients (to assist with much-needed research). For more info on FMD in general and the relationship to SCAD, see this brief resources from UVA: https://www.uvaphysicianresource.com/fibromuscular-dysplasia/

Jen O

If it's not too late for a question.... As someone who donates blood 4-5 times per year, I'm interested in the potential health benefits. I've read that frequent blood donors statistically have longer life spans, but that is most likely due to the fact that these are healthy people in general. I've also read that there is a relationship to lower cholesterol levels, but it took two consecutive donations to notice a difference between donors and non-donors. Any updates or other hypotheses out there about the benefits of donating blood?

Katie Murray

You can absolutely donate blood to yourself if needed. It’s called autologous donation if I remember right. Some Jehovah’s Witness groups will allow members to receive blood this way; others don’t. The persons blood is taken several days before a surgery, stored, and then transfused back to them peri and/or post-op. This is often done if the person has a rare blood type or has had negative reactions to receiving blood in the past.

Luna Rose

Is it true that there was a trend where billionaires started buying vegan blood and using it for a transfusion so that they can live longer?

Meaghan Ratcliffe

I’m really confused by atherosclerosis or like plaque buildup in blood vessels. Like what is that and how does it actually happen? And how is it related to poor health and lifestyle choices?

Jenna Congdon

Hi!! I get paid to poke people's veins (nurse...lol). Some people just literally have smaller veins. Some have them buried deeper in the arm vs sitting right on top. Some people have less connective tissue holding the veins in place, so they "roll" (common with older folks, as is having veins that very easily burst when we put fluid in it. Not too scary, just makes an ugly bruise). Some people's veins are twisty. And the "bumps" are valves. Everyone has valves in their veins to prevent backflow, but some people have lots of them, and sometimes they're in inconvenient places (ie, in a spot I might want to try to draw blood). If you're dehydrated, it can make the vein be sort of flattened and harder to find. Basically, it all boils down to the fact that all bodies are different.

Katherine Vela

Porphyria, some types make you “glow in the dark” how does that happen?

Katherine Vela

just a mini explanation, ABO groups have naturally occurring antibodies present when you’re born vs M/N and others you have to have a sensitizing event in order to start antibody production. So ABO incompatibility is a guaranteed transfusion reaction but other blood groups are possible but may or may not cause a reaction.

Katherine Vela

A red blood cell lifespan is about 3 months, white cells and platelets vary. Fun fact the reason a hemoglobin A1c test (average blood sugar) is a snapshot of the last three months because as your red cells circulate they pick up sugar at a proportional rate to how much sugar is the blood. The reason it’s three months is due to the red cells lifespan!

Katherine Vela

Your AB+ type is relatively low prevalence in the US population. While O- is the universal donor for red cells AB is actually the universal donor for plasma products. Meaning if your blood is separated by centrifuging, the more watery liquid component called plasma can be given to anyone.