What does neuropathy mean?
Neuropathy is a medical term for disease or dysfunction of the nerves, particularly the peripheral nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord with the rest of the body. Depending on the nerves affected, it can cause numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, poor balance, or changes in automatic functions such as digestion and blood pressure. Peripheral neuropathy is a common form, and it may be associated with diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, infections, toxins, physical injuries, or some treatments. The word also appears in more general medical usage for nervous-system disorders. Although neuropathy can sometimes be reversible when its underlying cause is treated, nerve damage may persist. In everyday conversation, the term is most likely to be encountered in discussions of diabetes, chemotherapy, or chronic pain affecting the hands and feet.
nounA disease or dysfunction of the nerves, especially the peripheral nerves, that may affect sensation, strength, coordination, or automatic bodily functions.
- A disease or dysfunction of the nerves, especially the peripheral nerves, that can impair sensation, movement, or automatic bodily functions.
"Her diabetes eventually caused peripheral neuropathy, leaving her feet painfully sensitive."
"Long-term alcohol misuse can lead to a form of neuropathy that damages sensation in the hands and feet."
"The doctor suspected chemotherapy-induced neuropathy as the cause of her burning fingertips."
The plural is used when referring to multiple forms or cases of neuropathy.
"The study compared several common neuropathies associated with diabetes."
Neuropathy shows how damage to the body's nerve wiring can affect everything from touch and balance to digestion and blood pressure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neuropathy come from?
Neuropathy was formed in the 19th century from the Greek neuron, meaning “nerve,” and pathos, meaning “suffering” or “disease.” The same elements also underlie related medical terms such as neuropathy's derivatives neuropathic and neuropath. Its elements appear more widely in neural, neuron, and neurology, while pathos is also the source of the suffix found in pathology and related words.
Related word forms
How neuropathy is actually used
This is primarily medical terminology. It may be used broadly for nervous-system disease, but it most often refers specifically to dysfunction or damage affecting peripheral nerves.
Easily confused with neuropathy
Neuropathy involves disease or dysfunction of nerves, whereas neuralgia primarily denotes pain arising along a nerve.