What Does Idiopathic Neuropathy Mean?

Nerve damage is called neuropathy. When the cause of the damage is unknown, it is called idiopathic neuropathy. This condition is just as real and debilitating as nerve damage with a known cause; it just can't be explained by current medical testing.

Symptoms

• Idiopathic neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling and itching in the affected body area, or lead to a loss of muscle control and, in severe cases, affect the function of internal organs.

Complications

• Patients with impaired muscle control from nerve damage sometimes lose their balance and fall. Patients with a reduced sense of pain may burn or cut themselves without knowing it.

Number of people affected

• According to WebMD, between 15 million and 20 million people in the U.S. are thought to have idiopathic neuropathy. It most frequently affects people older than 60.

Diagnosis

• A neurological examination is performed to assess nerve function. The patient's history is evaluated for conditions that may have caused the nerve damage. After excluding all other possibilities, the remaining diagnosis is idiopathic neuropathy.

Treatment

• Some types of idiopathic neuropathy can be cured, while others cannot. A neurologist can prescribe medications to treat some conditions. Often, physical therapy or exercise can help repair nerve damage by increasing blood circulation.