Neuropathy Glossary
Medical terminology can be a barrier to understanding your condition. This glossary defines the most common terms used throughout neuropathy diagnosis, treatment, and care — in plain language.
Key Takeaways
- Covers anatomy, symptoms, tests, treatments, and conditions.
- Each definition is written in plain English first.
- Cross-references between related terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is paresthesia?
- Paresthesia is the medical term for abnormal sensations such as tingling, prickling, burning, or 'pins and needles' that occur without an obvious external cause. It is one of the most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
- What is proprioception?
- Proprioception is your body's sense of where its parts are in space, without needing to look. It depends on signals from nerves in muscles, joints, and skin. Foot neuropathy reduces proprioception in the feet, which is a major contributor to fall risk.
- What is demyelination?
- Demyelination is loss or damage of the myelin sheath, the fatty insulation around many nerve fibers that allows electrical signals to travel quickly. Demyelinating neuropathies (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and CIDP) tend to cause weakness more than pain and have specific patterns on nerve conduction studies.
- What is the difference between sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy?
- Sensory neuropathy affects nerves that carry feeling — causing numbness, tingling, burning, or pain. Motor neuropathy affects nerves that control muscles — causing weakness, cramps, or muscle wasting. Autonomic neuropathy affects nerves that regulate involuntary functions such as blood pressure, sweating, digestion, and bladder control. Many neuropathies involve more than one type.