Dizziness
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Dizziness Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Dizziness On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of 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 through a focused history with greater specificity the 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 Syncope
Synonyms and symptoms used to describe presyncope include:
Associated Symptoms
Presyncope is a transient and episodic prodrome. The other symptoms which usually accompany this prodrome include:
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
Nonspecific dizziness:
Overview
Definition
Causes
Differentiating Dizziness from other Diseases
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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