The word "dizzy" is often used to describe a variety of sensations from lightheadedness to feeling weak or unsteady. Vertigo however, is dizziness that creates the sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. It is defined as a false illusion of motion with a distinct sensation of rotation ("The room was spinning around me").
Acute attacks are well-defined isolated spells of vertigo with a distinct onset and offset, whereas chronic vertigo is defined as a continuous or chronic sensation. Recurrent attacks or vertigo are addressed as chronic vertigo.
Dizziness is the reason for over 7 million clinic visits in the United States each year. Dizziness is a common complaint among older persons, especially. Dizziness in the elderly has been associated with syncope, functional disability, nursing home placement, stroke, and even death.
There are a variety of conditions that can cause vertigo. The evaluation often focuses on uncovering any underlying medical problems.
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Why history is the key in the diagnosis of vertigo. Practitioner. 2000
Vertigo. Taking the spin out of life. Mayo Clinic Health Letter. 2000
Neurology. 3: Dizziness. Medical Journal of Australia. 2000
Efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2000
Diagnosis and treatment of psychologic symptoms and psychiatric disorders in patients with dizziness and imbalance. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2000
Overview of psychologic effects of chronic dizziness and balance disorders. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2000
Distinguishing and treating causes of central vertigo. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2000
Diagnosis and initiating treatment for peripheral system disorders: imbalance and dizziness with normal hearing. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2000
Vertigo and dysequilibrium with associated hearing loss. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2000
Outcome measures for assessment of treatment of the dizzy and balance disorder patient. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2000
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
