Dizziness

Dizziness is the third most common complaint among outpatients [1]. Only chest pain and fatigue are more common. In 80% of these cases, the dizziness is severe enough to require medical intervention. Dizziness affects over 50% of the elderly population, and is the most common reason for visiting a physician after the age of 75 years (National Strategic Research Plan, NIDCD, 1999). The cause of dizziness in patients over the age of 60 years seen at the author's Dizziness and Balance Center since 1995 is shown in Fig. 1. This article discusses the management of the most common causes of dizziness from the perspective of acute vertigo (vertigo <3 days); chronic dizziness (dizziness >3 days); and spells of dizziness.