Final answer:
Anemia is characterized by a decreased number of circulating RBCs and decreased levels of hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen transport to tissues. Hematuria is not a characteristic of anemia. Anemia has multiple causes and requires detailed clinical evaluation for diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anemia is characterized by a decrease in the number of circulating red blood cells (RBCs) and a decrease in hemoglobin levels. These conditions impair the blood's ability to transport oxygen effectively, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Anemia can be caused by various factors including excessive bleeding, inherited disorders like sickle cell anemia or β-thalassemia, nutritional deficiencies (such as iron, folate, or vitamin B12), or diseases of the bone marrow and stem cells.
Hematuria, or the presence of blood in urine, is not typically a characteristic of anemia. Instead, it could indicate other medical conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or kidney diseases. It's essential to differentiate between the signs of anemia and symptoms of other disorders.
Anemia is a complex condition with over 400 types. It involves a detailed clinical evaluation often using two approaches: the kinetic approach, which assesses production, destruction, and removal of RBCs, and the morphological approach, which examines the cells' size and shape. Testing may include measures like mean corpuscle volume (MCV) and reticulocyte counts. The wide-ranging effects of anemia highlight the importance of RBCs and hemoglobin for tissue oxygenation necessary for overall health.