As a result of normal physiological variation, some individuals may have small, thin, or hard-to-find veins, making it a challenge for even an experienced medical lab technician to draw blood. This can sometimes be a result of dehydration, which causes the body to constrict its blood vessels.
If the medical staff does not see a vein that will work for a blood draw, they may take blood from another location. Depending on the protocols of the lab, clinic, or doctor's office, they may be able to do a blood draw from the top of the hands, wrists, and other areas on the arms.
Several factors may cause veins to appear to shrink. Aging, a decrease in muscle tone, and weight gain are common reasons for veins appearing smaller. A vein doctor should always be consulted. However, in some cases, it may indicate vein disease.
When you drink a glass of water, it takes approximately 15 minutes for your body to absorb the fluid. However, when you're dehydrated, it can take about three times as long (45 minutes) for fluids to make their way from the stomach into the bloodstream and to the rest of the body.
This can occur if the tube holder is less steady than the tube being pushed onto the needle, or if the angle is too steep. If the needle position isn't quickly corrected, a hematoma can form – this can often be corrected by slightly withdrawing the needle to reestablish blood flow.
Improper needle position can cause a failed blood draw. There are visual cues that can help to determine if the needle is correctly positioned in the vein. A correct insertion technique is evident by the free flow of blood into the needle. There are several improper needle positions that could impede blood flow.
Plaque buildup, blood clots or narrowed blood vessels can lead to poor circulation. When obstacles or narrow paths slow down blood flow, it's difficult for your body to send blood to every part of your body in an efficient way. Exercise and healthy food can help.
Being well-hydrated makes it far easier for the person who is taking the patient's blood to find a vein that can easily be punctured and far easier for the patient because their veins will be much easier to find and access, explained Simmers.
If your phlebotomy specialist says it is OK to drink water before getting blood drawn, try to drink the recommended daily amount of water, which is 64 ounces. Before you donate, drink a glass of water that's about 16 ounces. Although getting your blood drawn can be stressful, it doesn't have to be.
What does a blown vein look like? The area around your blown vein may appear red or purple. This is because some blood has leaked out of your vein and pooled under your skin. The discoloration is temporary and should go away within a couple of weeks.
A person with thin veins will never be as healthy as someone with normal veins. The reason for this is that veins serve as a conduit for blood flow to various body organs, and if the blood cannot flow at a normal rate, the body will not be able to function normally without specific cures and treatments.
Veins themselves are typically fairly colorless. So don't panic if your veins look a little bit blue, that's not uncommon. If however, your veins or arteries suddenly begin bulging or turning a dark color, those may be warning signs of underlying health conditions.
Difficult venous access is characterized by non-visible and non-palpable veins and is caused by the various patient- and practitioner-related factors, such as age, obesity, history of chemotherapy, and vein characteristics of the patients, and the clinical experience of the practitioners [1, 7, 8, 12].
Symptoms of venous disease include: Varicose Veins: enlarged, swollen, knotted clusters of purple veins; edema (swelling in the legs); aching or a sensation of heaviness in the legs; itching skin above the affected veins; skin discoloration and ulcers on the inner aspect of the ankles (in advanced cases).
A blood clot in a leg vein may cause pain, warmth and tenderness in the affected area. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms.
No, being dehydrated does not cause veins to collapse – they are only caused by injections. However, being dehydrated thickens your blood, which can exacerbate vein damage and problems with circulation.
Can dehydration cause veins to bulge? Dehydration can cause blood vessels to constrict, which can cause the veins to appear more prominent. Therefore, staying hydrated may help to reduce the visibility of bulging veins.
Difficult veins are veins that easily collapse or roll, are too thin, or are hard to find. These veins are most often associated with people who require butterfly needles, such as children or geriatric patients. In reality, anyone can have difficult veins, which may require more assistance for blood draws.
The most site for venipuncture is the antecubital fossa located in the anterior elbow at the fold. This area houses three veins: the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins (Figure 1).
According to the website Vein Clinics, “When vitamin D levels are low, your veins will struggle to do their job correctly, and veins issues may arise." “Vitamin D helps to keep your arteries and blood vessels loose enough and relaxed enough to support proper blood flow,” the health website adds.
As a result of normal physiological variation, some individuals may have small, thin, or hard-to-find veins, making it a challenge for even an experienced medical lab technician to draw blood. This can sometimes be a result of dehydration, which causes the body to constrict its blood vessels.
Finding veins in obese patients can be more challenging due to the additional layer of fat over the veins. However, with training and experience, phlebotomists learn techniques to locate and access veins in patients of all sizes.