Dizziness

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Dizziness Microchapters
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Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Dizziness from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
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Treatment
Medical Therapy
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Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
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Case #1
Dizziness On the Web
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Dizziness All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
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CDC on Dizziness
Dizziness in the news
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Dizziness
Risk calculators and risk factors for Dizziness

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: M.Umer Tariq [2]

Synonyms and keywords: Bad balance; disorientation; dizzy; environment spinning around; floating; giddiness; giddy; imbalance; instability; loss of balance; moving; off balance; spaced out; spinning inside head; swaying; swimming; tilting; unsteadiness; whirling; wobbliness; wooziness

Overview

Dizziness is a common but vague symptom. A wide variety of symptoms are often referred to as dizziness.

Differential Diagnosis of Dizziness

The first step in the assessment of dizziness is to determine which of these numerous more precise symptoms the patient is experiencing. The following links direct you to the appropriate chapter based upon the patient's precise symptoms:

Presyncope

Synonyms or Words Used to Describe Syndrome

• Synonyms and symptoms used to describe presyncope include:

  Faintness

  Generalized weakness

  Lightheadedness

  Near fainting

Associated Symptoms

• Presyncope is a transient and episodic prodrome. The other symptoms which usually accompany this prodrome are diaphoresis, blurring of vision, nausea, palpitations, feeling of warmth, pallor, paresthesia.

Vertigo

Vertigo: Vertigo is a transient and episodic perception of false sensation of motion. The most common motion is a spinning sensation of the surrounding environment around the patient but some may interpret it as a self motion. Tilting, whirling, swaying and moving forward, backward or on either sides may be the other terms used to describe the motion. Nausea, vomiting, some degree of imbalance and autonomic signs like pallor, diaphoresis and tachycardia are the common accompanying signs and symptoms.

Disequilibrium

Disequilibrium: Disequilibrium is an impaired sense or absence of balance that primarily occurs during standing or walking and usually without any cephalic sensations like headache, nausea and vomiting. It is more of a continuous symptom rather than the episodic presyncope and vertigo.

Drop Attack

Drop attack: Drop attacks are sudden spontaneous falls while standing or walking, followed by a very swift recovery, within seconds or minutes.

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness

Nonspecific dizziness:

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | CT | MRI | Echocardiography | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies