Definition
idiopathic
adjective
- (of a disease or condition) arising spontaneously or from an unknown cause, rather than as a result of another disease or external factor
Usage: medical/clinical term; commonly used in healthcare and medical contexts
Examples
- The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition with no clear underlying cause.
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenia means the patient's low platelet count has no identifiable source.
- Many cases of sudden hearing loss are idiopathic, making treatment challenging.
- The doctor explained that the seizures were idiopathic, occurring without any detectable brain abnormality.
- Idiopathic hypersomnia is a sleep disorder where patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness without an obvious reason.