These can be some of the scariest words said by your doctor. Blood tests are essential to the diagnosis of many diseases. South Texas Medical Clinics Laboratory professionals want to share this information with you to make your next visit for blood tests easier on you and your family.

Some diagnostic tests require fasting, or going without food or drink, other than water, prior to having the test performed. This is sometimes needed for obtaining the best results for a diagnostic test. Here's information to help you understand the proper way to fast for a test.

To properly "fast", a patient should not have any food or drink, other than water, for 12 hours before the test is collected. For example, if the patient has his/her blood tests collected at 8:00 a.m., then the patient should not eat any food or drink after 8:00 p.m. the night before.

This does NOT mean the patient should not drink water. Water is acceptable! But please, no food, gum, coffee, etc., prior to the blood test. These foods can add things like sugar or caffeine to your system which can interfere with the testing of your blood.

Here's some information that will help the next time you have your blood drawn.

Tips on Preventing Your Blood Draw from Hurting

1. If you know your blood is hard to draw and you know which vein is usually used, let us know!
2. Keep your arm still. We don't want to miss and have to search for your vein or stick you again.
3. Don't bend your arm. If you need support, put your opposite fist under your elbow. Tight-skin punctures are less painful.
4. Make a fist when your blood is being drawn. It makes the tubes fill faster.
5. Don't let the needle frighten you. Only the tip goes into your vein.
6. Remember to breathe!
7. Keep FIRM pressure over the puncture area after the needle is removed. DON'T BEND YOUR ARM. Bending your arm may force blood to flow under your skin; this ends up resembling a bruise.
8. Leave the gauze and tape or bandage on for 15 minutes to help prevent bruising.
9. If you're scared, let your lab employee know.

Please remember Laboratory personnel are there to make sure you have the proper diagnostic test performed, but also make you as comfortable as possible.