Dizziness

Dizziness is a broad term that describes a range of sensations including lightheadedness, unsteadiness, a floating feeling, or the sensation that the room is spinning. When the spinning sensation is specific (the person or their environment appears to rotate), the more precise term is vertigo. Dizziness can originate from the inner ear (vestibular causes), the brain or nervous system (central causes), cardiovascular issues, medication side effects, or dehydration.

In audiology and vestibular medicine, dizziness is evaluated through a clinical history, audiological testing, and vestibular function assessments. Common vestibular causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, and labyrinthitis. Accurate diagnosis is important because treatment differs significantly depending on the cause.

Persistent, unexplained, or recurring dizziness should be assessed by a healthcare professional, as it can have both benign and serious underlying causes that require different management approaches.