Introduction to Nonspecific Dizziness

00:01 In this talk, we're going to review nonspecific dizziness.

00:04 This is that fourth category of dizziness, and really should be on the differential diagnosis for most patients presenting with a symptom of dizziness.

00:14 When I think about this nonspecific category, I think about four common causes of nonspecific dizziness.

00:20 Hypo- and hyperglycemia, and sometimes other electrolyte disturbances.

00:25 Panic attack or anxiety, hyperventilation can cause this nonspecific feeling of dizziness, and medications, which is one of the most important causes of this symptom.

00:37 So what's our approach? How do we work these patients up? Well, if we're worried about hypo- or hyperglycemia, we need to check a blood sugar and sometimes other electrolytes like sodium, potassium or others.

00:49 We want to screen for anxiety.

00:51 Patients who are having other symptoms, hot flushed, or other symptoms of anxiety, we'll want to think about whether dizziness may be a symptom of that condition.

01:00 And then most importantly, we should review the medication list for these patients.

01:04 We want to think about common offending medications like anticonvulsants.

01:09 Phenytoin, carbamazepine, lacosamide and others.

01:12 As well as antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and others.

01:17 And this is a good time just to sit down and review the medication list for the patient and see whether any of those medications could be contributing to the patient's symptoms of dizziness.