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. 2023 Apr 21;65(1):e1-e5.
doi: 10.4102/safp.v65i1.5712.

Vertiginous dizziness: A primary care approach

Shane D Murphy  1 , Michael Van Aardt
Affiliations

Vertiginous dizziness: A primary care approach

Shane D Murphy et al. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). .

Abstract

Dizziness is an extremely common, yet complex neurological symptom that reflects a disturbance of normal balance perception and spatial orientation. Dizziness is a non-specific, catch-all term commonly used by patients to describe a wide array of symptoms, including a sensation of motion, weakness, light-headedness, unsteadiness, emotional upset and depression. The national 1-year prevalence of dizziness is around 50%, accounting for 4% of emergency department presentations and 1% of primary care consultations in South Africa. This article will focus on a diagnostic approach to the most common cause of dizziness (vertigo).

Keywords: dizziness; family medicine; general practice; primary care; vertigo.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Systems responsible for regulating balance (equilibrium).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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