K.N.O.W. Home Health - IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

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Iron Deficiency Anemia

🩸 What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia happens when your body doesn’t have enough iron. Iron is important because it helps your body make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen all over your body. Without enough iron, your body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells.

🔎 What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Some common causes are:

Not eating enough iron-rich foods
Losing blood from injuries, heavy periods, or stomach problems
Your body not absorbing enough iron from food
Pregnancy or growth spurts when your body needs more iron

🚩 What Are the Symptoms?

You might notice:

Feeling very tired or weak
Pale skin
Shortness of breath, especially when moving or exercising
Dizziness or headache
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Cold hands and feet
Craving unusual things like ice or dirt (called pica)

📞 When Should You Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor?

Call your nurse or doctor if you:

Feel more tired than usual
Notice your skin or inside your mouth looks pale
Have dizziness or headaches that don’t go away
Have cold hands or feet often
Feel your heart beating fast or skipping beats
Start bleeding more than usual (nosebleeds, heavy periods)

🚨 When Should You Go to the Emergency Room?

Go to the ER right away if you:

Have chest pain or trouble breathing
Feel faint or pass out
Have severe bleeding that won’t stop
Have a very fast or irregular heartbeat that doesn’t go away

✅ How Can You Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Eat foods high in iron, like meat, beans, spinach, and fortified cereals
Eat vitamin C-rich foods (like oranges or strawberries) with iron foods to help your body absorb iron better
Avoid drinking too much tea or coffee with meals because they can reduce iron absorption
Follow your doctor’s advice if you need iron supplements

📝 Other Important Information

Taking iron supplements can cause stomach upset; take them with food if needed but not with milk or antacids
Keep all your doctor appointments and have blood tests as recommended
Let your doctor know if you have any side effects from your medicine or if symptoms get worse

Remember: Iron deficiency anemia can be treated successfully with good care. Pay attention to your body and ask for help when you need it.

Patient Homework/Assessment

True or False: Iron helps your body make red blood cells.
True or False: Iron deficiency anemia means your body has too much iron.
True or False: Not eating enough iron-rich foods can cause iron deficiency anemia.
True or False: Heavy periods can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
True or False: Feeling very tired is a symptom of iron deficiency anemia.
True or False: Pale skin can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia.
True or False: Dizziness and headaches are never related to anemia.
True or False: Craving ice or dirt is a possible symptom of iron deficiency anemia.
True or False: You should call your doctor if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat.
True or False: Chest pain and trouble breathing mean you should go to the emergency room right away.
True or False: Drinking tea or coffee with meals helps your body absorb iron better.
True or False: Eating foods rich in vitamin C helps your body absorb iron.
True or False: Iron supplements can sometimes upset your stomach.
True or False: You don’t need to take iron supplements if your doctor prescribes them.
True or False: Iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by eating iron-rich foods.
True or False: Severe bleeding that won’t stop is a reason to go to the ER.
True or False: Cold hands and feet can be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia.
True or False: You should ignore feeling very tired because it’s not related to anemia.
True or False: You should keep all your doctor appointments to manage anemia.
True or False: Iron deficiency anemia can be successfully treated with proper care.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Can you tell me what foods you are eating at home that are high in iron, such as leafy greens, beans, or red meat?

When did you last have your hemoglobin and hematocrit checked, and do you remember the results?

Are you taking your iron supplement as prescribed, and do you know the best way to take it so your body absorbs it well (for example, with vitamin C and not with milk)?

Have you noticed any changes such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or dizziness since starting your treatment?

Answer Key

True — Iron is needed to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen in your body.
False — Iron deficiency anemia means you don’t have enough iron, not too much.
True — Not eating enough iron-rich foods can cause your body to lack iron and lead to anemia.
True — Heavy menstrual bleeding causes blood loss, which can lower your iron levels.
True — Feeling very tired is common because your body doesn’t get enough oxygen without enough red blood cells.
True — Pale skin happens when there are fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen.
False — Dizziness and headaches are often related to anemia because your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen.
True — Craving non-food items like ice or dirt (pica) can happen in iron deficiency anemia.
True — A fast or irregular heartbeat can be a sign of anemia and should be reported to your doctor.
True — Chest pain and trouble breathing are serious symptoms needing emergency care.
False — Tea and coffee contain substances that reduce iron absorption if taken with meals.
True — Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron better when eaten with iron-rich foods.
True — Iron supplements can cause stomach upset, nausea, or constipation.
False — You should take iron supplements as prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
True — Eating iron-rich foods can help prevent iron deficiency anemia.
True — Severe bleeding can cause dangerous blood loss and requires immediate medical attention.
True — Cold hands and feet can occur because anemia affects blood flow and oxygen delivery.
False — Feeling very tired should not be ignored; it may be a sign of anemia or another health problem.
True — Regular doctor visits help monitor your anemia and adjust treatment if needed.
True — With proper care and treatment, iron deficiency anemia can usually be cured or well controlled.