Vertigo and Dizziness

  As we all know, vertigo and dizziness are one of the most common clinical symptoms with complex anatomy, physiology and etiology, and the treatment process often involves the basic theoretical knowledge and treatment techniques of multiple disciplines such as otology, neurology, and even internal medicine and psychiatry, because we generally find it difficult in our work.  First of all, we have to clarify that vertigo is a kind of motor hallucination. The common rotational vertigo or “true” vertigo suggests a lesion of the semicircular canal or central nervous pathway. Patients with vertigo have a distinct sense of their own or external rotation, and when they do see external objects rotating, it is likely to be accompanied by nystagmus. Although some practitioners believe that the intracranial rotation described by patients has no clinical value, the authors have observed that many patients with true vestibular disease (e.g., BBPV) do have this type of vertigo. Patients with “true” vertigo often have other symptoms such as balance disturbances, gait instability (or obliquity), nausea and vomiting.  Dizziness (or some other related sensation such as lightheadedness) is difficult to define precisely for either the patient or the physician. Patients often describe the sensation of light-headedness, tipping, shaking, and cotton-stepping. These symptoms can be seen in vestibular system disorders, especially in the non-acute phase, as well as in medical conditions (e.g., anemia, hypoglycemia, heart disease) or psychological disorders. It is helpful to ask patients to compare their symptoms to the time they experience in their daily lives. Patients often describe “true” vertigo as a feeling like being drunk, riding a merry-go-round, sailing at sea, or getting carsick. This inaccurate description of dizziness can be a transitional symptom between an acute vestibular attack and full recovery.  Therefore, a simple distinction between the two can be made from the above definition combined with the patient’s complaints.