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Idiopathic: meaning, definitions and examples

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idiopathic

 

[ ˌɪdɪəˈpæθɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

medical condition

The term 'idiopathic' refers to a medical condition or disease for which the cause is unknown or not identifiable. In many cases, patients may present with symptoms that are typical of a specific illness, but extensive tests fail to reveal any underlying pathology. This term is frequently used in medical literature when discussing conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Understanding idiopathic conditions can be challenging for healthcare providers, as treatment may need to focus on symptom management rather than addressing a root cause.

Synonyms

mysterious, unexplained, unknown cause

Examples of usage

  • The patient has been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Idiopathic hypertension can often be difficult to manage.
  • Doctors are puzzled by her idiopathic condition.
  • He suffers from idiopathic epilepsy, which has no known cause.

Translations

Translations of the word "idiopathic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 idiopática

🇮🇳 अज्ञात

🇩🇪 idiopathisch

🇮🇩 idiopatik

🇺🇦 ідіопатичний

🇵🇱 idiopatyczny

🇯🇵 特発性の

🇫🇷 idiopathique

🇪🇸 idiopático

🇹🇷 idiopatik

🇰🇷 특발성의

🇸🇦 إيديوباتي

🇨🇿 idiopatický

🇸🇰 idiopatický

🇨🇳 特发性

🇸🇮 idiopatski

🇮🇸 ídiopatískt

🇰🇿 идиопатиялық

🇬🇪 იდიოპათიური

🇦🇿 idiyopatik

🇲🇽 idiopático

Etymology

The word 'idiopathic' is derived from the Greek roots 'idio', meaning 'one's own' or 'private', and 'pathos', meaning 'suffering' or 'disease'. The term emerged in the English language in the 19th century as medical professionals sought a way to describe diseases that had no known cause. Initially used to categorize various obscure ailments, the term has become increasingly prevalent in modern medicine, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating complex medical conditions. Its usage indicates not only the limits of current medical knowledge but also emphasizes the importance of individual patient care in addressing symptoms when the underlying causes remain elusive.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,717, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.