neuropathy

noun

neu·​rop·​a·​thy nu̇-ˈrä-pə-thē 

nyu̇-

plural neuropathies

1

: damage, disease, or dysfunction of one or more nerves especially of the peripheral nervous system that is typically marked by burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness or atrophy, is often degenerative, and is usually caused by injury, infection, disease, drugs, toxins, or vitamin deficiency

Each of the drugs comes with a long list of possible nasty side effects, ranging from liver and kidney damage to pancreatitis and neuropathy in the limbs.

—David Sanford

… the condition known as diabetic neuropathy, a gradual deterioration of peripheral nerves that generally affects old patients and initially causes a painful burning sensation in the hands and feet.

—Sandra Blakeslee

… neuropathy involving the seventh cranial nerve was caused by being hit in the face by the stick.

—Clifton P. Rose

see also peripheral neuropathy

2

: a condition (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome) marked by neuropathy

neuropathic

ˌnu̇r-ə-ˈpa-thik 

ˌnyu̇r-

adjective

neuropathically

ˌnu̇r-ə-ˈpa-thi-k(ə-)lē 

ˌnyu̇r-

adverb

Examples of neuropathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Managing diabetic neuropathy symptoms through CBD oil usage Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Some evidence suggests that pain patches containing capsaicin treat diabetic neuropathy as effectively as oral medications. —Anthea Levi, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

This involves sorting out how patients with different symptoms—respiratory illness, brain fog, neuropathies—cluster along multiple axes. —Rachael Bedard, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2024

People with severe neuropathy may require medication. —Gary Gilles, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2023

Focal neuropathy, by definition, affects one nerve. —Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 28 May 2023

Proximal neuropathy is a rare form of nerve damage affecting the hip, thigh, or buttocks. —Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 28 May 2023

That neuropathy is due in part to my exposure to burn pit exposure. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 26 May 2023

The American Diabetes Association recommends doctors screen for diabetic neuropathy immediately after someone is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes or five years after Type 1 diagnosis. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 25 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

neuro- + -pathy, probably after Italian neuropatia or French névropathie

First Known Use

circa 1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing neuropathy

• peripheral neuropathy

Medical Definition

neuropathy

noun

neu·​rop·​a·​thy n(y)u̇-ˈräp-ə-thē 

plural neuropathies

: damage, disease, or dysfunction of one or more nerves especially of the peripheral nervous system that is typically marked by burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness or atrophy, is often degenerative, and is usually caused by injury, infection, disease, drugs, toxins, or vitamin deficiency

also : a condition (as Guillain-Barré syndrome) marked by neuropathy see also peripheral neuropathy