Patient was educated on the complications of vitamin B12 deficiency as follows:
- 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. Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in fat deposition and plaque formation in blood vessels. Plaque formation can result in narrowing and hardening of blood vessel, contributing to reduced blood flow. Compromised blood flow involving the carotid arteries delivering blood and oxygen to the brain can increase risk for stroke.
- Neuropathy: Poor DNA synthesis involving the brain and nervous tissues, secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency, can result in dementia, depression, and neuropathy. Patients can present with increasing forgetfulness, slowing of thought process, inability to concentrate, fatigue, irritability, tingling and numbness of hands and feet, altered sensitivity to touch and temperature, radiating burning sensation in extremities, poor coordination and balance, and increased risk for falls & accidents.
