The dizzy patient - Presence of vertigo points to vestibular cause

A patient's history usually contains key information regarding the type of dizziness and the best way to direct diagnostic workup. In dizziness with a vestibular cause (benign positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, Meniere' s disease, migraine, vertebrobasilar insufficiency), patients often describ e their world as spinning, whirling, or tilting. Treatment should be direct ed at the underlying cause whenever possible, and various antivertiginous a nd antiemetic medications can be used to suppress symptoms. Initiation of a vestibular exercise program as soon as possible after injury helps ensure the best compensation possible.