Patient was educated on signs and symptoms of anemia as follows:
- Red cells in the blood carry oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues in the body.
- Anemic patients have low red blood cell count, contributing to deficient oxygen and nutrient transport to the tissues.
- The major symptoms of anemia arise from deficient transport oxygen and nutrients to the tissues by the red cells.
- Since the oxygen and nutrient supply is deficient to the organs, it compromises the function of various tissues in the body.
- Consequently, patients can present with the following signs and symptoms.
- Dizziness and difficulty concentrating: Brain and nervous tissues are highly dependent on oxygen supply for their normal function. Reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain in anemic individuals, can result in headache, dizziness, slowing of thought process, and confusion.
- Rapid heartbeat: Deficient oxygen supply to vital organs in anemia can compromise their function. So, in the initial stages, the heart can try to compensate, by overworking and beating faster. By doing this, the heart tries to pump more blood and thereby, supply needed oxygen and nutrients to the vital organs that are compromised. This overworking of heart can only be a temporary and short-lived response though.
