From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dizziness refers to an impairment in spatial perception and stability.^[1] It is considered imprecise.^[2] It can be used to mean vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium,^[3] or for a non-specific feeling such as giddiness or foolishness.^[4]

• Vertigo is a specific medical term used to describe the sensation of spinning or having one's surroundings spin about them. Many people find vertigo very disturbing and often report associated nausea and vomiting. It represents about 25% of cases of dizziness.^[5]
• Disequilibrium is the sensation of being off balance, and is most often characterized by frequent falls in a specific direction. This condition is not often associated with nausea or vomiting.
• Presyncope is lightheadedness, muscular weakness and feeling faint as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting.
• Non-specific dizziness is often psychiatric in origin. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and can sometimes be brought about by hyperventilation.^[6]

A stroke is the cause of isolated dizziness in 0.7% of people who present to the emergency room.^[5]

Epidemiology

All of the population have dizziness at some point in their life.^[5]

See also

• Motion sickness
• Balance disorder
• Vertigo (medical)
• Syncope (medicine)
• Equilibrioception
• The spins, a state of dizziness and disorientation due to intoxication

References

External links

• Dizzytimes.com Online Community for Sufferers of Vertigo and Dizziness
• Dysautonomia Youth Network of America, Inc.