Final answer:
Emily's iron deficiency anemia is likely due to a lack of sufficient iron to produce heme, commonly seen in teenagers and certain dietary groups such as vegans and vegetarians. It can cause symptoms like tiredness and poor concentration but is often treatable with increased dietary iron and supplements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Iron Deficiency Anemia
Emily's iron deficiency anemia is likely caused by an insufficient amount of available iron in her body, which is necessary for the production of heme in red blood cells (RBC). This type of anemia is particularly common in teens and young adults, who may experience it due to iron deficiency in their diets, or from increased needs, such as during growth spurts or menstruation.
Factors contributing to this condition could include diets low in iron, especially in vegans and vegetarians; an inability to properly absorb and transport iron; or chronic slow bleeding, which might be unnoticed. Iron supplements and increasing iron-rich foods in the diet are typical treatments for this type of anemia.
Anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and poor concentration. It can also impact cognitive and motor development in children and increase mortality in infancy when severe. Treatment for iron deficiency anemia often involves dietary changes to increase iron intake and potentially the use of iron supplements.
In cases of vitamin-deficient anemias, adequate intake of vitamin B12 and folate becomes important. Such deficiencies can result from inadequate diet, from conditions affecting nutrient absorption, or from increased physiological demands such as pregnancy.