FreeMD® Dizziness: Definition

Dizziness

Definition

Dizziness Definition

Common names:

Dizziness
Faintness
Lightheadedness

A person with dizziness has lightheadedness: the sensation that he or she may faint, pass out, or lose consciousness. Dizziness has many causes and is very common.

Occasionally, dizziness is also used to describe a spinning sensation, called vertigo.

Continue to Dizziness Evaluation

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Related Topics:

Acoustic neuroma
Drug side effect
Fainting
Labyrinthitis
Meniere's disease
Motion sickness
Orthostatic hypotension
Vertigo
Vestibular neuronitis
More...

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Last Updated: Apr 16, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Dizziness References:

Brandt T, Strupp M. General vestibular testing. Clin Neurophysiol. 2005 Feb;116(2):406-26.
Lawson J, Johnson I, Bamiou DE, Newton JL. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: clinical characteristics of dizzy patients referred to a Falls and Syncope Unit. QJM. 2005 May;98(5):357-64.
Luxon LM. Evaluation and management of the dizzy patient. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Dec;75 Suppl 4:iv45-52.
Whitney SL, Marchetti GF, Morris LO. Usefulness of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory in the Screening for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Otol Neurotol. 2005 Sep;26(5):1027-1033.