The dizzy patient

Abstract

A patient's history usually contains key information regarding the type of dizziness and the best way to direct diagnostic workup. In dizziness with a vestibular cause (benign positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, migraine, vertebrobasilar insufficiency), patients often describe their world as spinning, whirling, or tilting. Treatment should be directed at the underlying cause whenever possible, and various antivertiginous and antiemetic medications can be used to suppress symptoms. Initiation of a vestibular exercise program as soon as possible after injury helps ensure the best compensation possible.