Office evaluation of dizziness

Abstract

Patients presenting to primary care with complaints of dizziness are common. Differentiating the cause of dizziness can be made easier by considering 4 main categories of dizziness: vertigo, presyncope/syncope, disequilibrium, and nonspecific symptoms. Differentials should immediately include the most common causes of dizziness, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and orthostatic hypotension. Diagnostic tests should be ordered for patients who have abnormal findings on physical examination that may indicate a more serious cause of dizziness.

Keywords: Disequilibrium; Dix-Hallpike maneuver; Dizziness; Nonspecific dizziness; Nystagmus; Presyncope; Syncope; Vertigo.