Understanding Idiopathic Medical Conditions

In medical terminology, nosology is known as the branch of medicine that deals with the classification of medical conditions and diseases. Body conditions and diseases are generally classified according to symptoms, causes, as well as the organ systems involved.
One of the main problems in this branch of medicine, however, is classifying medical conditions and diseases that have hard to define causes or origins. As such, medical cases or conditions that have unidentifiable causes or nature are considered idiopathic.
What is idiopathic in medicine?
Idiopathic is generally referred to medical cases or conditions that do not have specific causes or origins. Idiopathic, which is coined from the Greek words idios, meaning one’s own and pathos as suffering, is commonly accredited to unique or self-originated types of conditions and diseases.
Most medical conditions or ailments today have fixed causes or origins. However, there are some cases when one or more causes cannot be determined or understood by medical professionals. To reiterate what is explained above, these conditions are then referred to as idiopathic.
During the early years, the number of medical cases with unknown origins is significantly large. As scientific and medical advancements continue to flourish, the number of medical conditions that are noted as idiopathic is considerably dropping. Experts are now discovering more root causes to a large percentage of ailments that have unknown nature.
Medical diseases and disorders that are considered idiopathic
1. Acute idiopathic polyneuritis
Also called as the Guillain-Barre syndrome, the acute idiopathic polyneuritis is among the many types of diseases that is reported to have one or more unknown causes. This condition is generally characterized by continuous symmetrical paralysis that commonly begins in the leg. Individuals who are diagnosed with this disorder also suffer from the subsequent loss of the reflexes.
2. Idiopathic scoliosis
Scoliosis is also a body disorder that is regarded as idiopathic. This condition is generally a lateral curvature of the human spine that is due to undefined causes. Scoliosis is defined according to the age when the condition starts to develop. Infantile idiopathic scoliosis is termed for patients who are three years old and below; juvenile idiopathic scoliosis for those who are between three and 10; and adolescent scoliosis for patients who are 10 years old and above.
3. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is known as the scarring of the human lungs. This medical condition can root to a number of ailments. However, pulmonary fibrosis may trigger without a distinguished cause at all. As such, this condition is thereby considered idiopathic by most medical experts. The common symptoms of this ailment are coughing, shortness of breath, and loss of interest in physical activities. Individuals diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis are recommended to consult lung specialists.

4. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP is a condition wherein an individual has a considerably low platelet count. This is considered idiopathic for it can occur for no apparent cause at all. Experts, however, relate most of this condition’s causes to antibodies against platelets. Known symptoms of ITP are skin discoloration and diathesis.