Patient was educated on complications of folate deficiency as follows:
- Arrhythmia: Compromised oxygen supply to the heart muscle in anemia can result in palpitations and arrhythmias. Patients can present with fluttering in the chest, racing or abnormally slow heartbeat, poorly felt pulse, dizziness, episodes of loss of consciousness, chest pain and/or discomfort, and fainting.
- Fatigue and listlessness: Compromised oxygen supply to the muscle tissue in anemic patients can result in cramping, weakness, fatigue, and exhaustion.
- Increased risk for infections: Optimum oxygen delivery is important for normal function of body tissues and their ability to fight infections. Low oxygen delivery to tissues in anemic patients leads to compromised function of the tissues and increased susceptibility for infections.
- Dizziness and confusion: 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, depression, and confusion, which can contribute to increased risk for falls and accidents.
