Word parts
What it means
A disorder of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral neuropathy). The most common cause is diabetes; others are heavy drinking, vitamin B12 lack, some chemotherapy drugs, kidney disease and infections. It often starts in the feet and moves up in a "stocking-glove" pattern, with numbness, tinglingTING-glingA prickling, "pins and needles" feeling in the skin.Full entry , burning pain or weakness. Nerves that run the organs can be affected too.
For the nurse
Clients who cannot feel their feet may not notice injuries. Teach daily foot checks with a mirror, well-fitting shoes, never walking barefoot and testing bath water with an elbow or thermometer. Watch for falls.
At a glance
| Spanish | neuropatía |
|---|---|
| Also written | neuropathies, neuropathic |
Related terms
neur/o
A word root that means nerve or the nervous system.
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
numbness
Loss or reduction of feeling in a part of the body.
-pathy
A word ending that means disease of a part, or feeling.
tingling
A prickling, "pins and needles" feeling in the skin.