Evaluation and treatment of the patient with acute dizziness in primary care

Abstract

Dizziness is a very common symptom encountered by primary care physicians. Dizziness can be divided into five subgroups according to symptoms. These subgroups can be determined by a patient's history and allow the physician to deduce the etiology. A careful and systematic approach to dizzy patients is the key to a correct diagnosis and finding the optimal treatment. Physicians should obtain a detailed history from the patient in an open-ended fashion. Brief and comprehensive bedside neuro-otologic examinations, such as cranial nerve examinations, the Dix-Hallpike test, and the head thrust test cannot be omitted for an accurate diagnosis. Knowledge about the numerous disease entities that may contribute to dizziness can be essential for differential diagnosis. In addition, this article provides information about frequently prescribed drugs, including vestibular suppressants and antiemetics.