Differential Diagnosis for Dizziness
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This is a common cause of dizziness, especially in older adults, and is characterized by brief episodes of vertigo triggered by specific head movements.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Vestibular Migraine: A condition that causes vertigo, often accompanied by headache and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Labyrinthitis: An inner ear disorder that causes dizziness, hearing loss, and balance problems.
- Medication-induced dizziness: Many medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, can cause dizziness as a side effect.
- Orthostatic Hypotension: A condition characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up, leading to dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although less common, dizziness can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, which requires immediate medical attention.
- Cardiac Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, can cause dizziness and may lead to more serious complications if left untreated.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic autoimmune disease that can cause dizziness, among other symptoms, and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Posterior Circulation Stroke: A type of stroke that affects the back of the brain, which can cause dizziness, vertigo, and other symptoms.
- Rare diagnoses
- Meniere's Disease: A disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, but is less common than other causes of dizziness.
- Acoustic Neuroma: A rare, non-cancerous tumor that grows on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, causing dizziness, hearing loss, and balance problems.
- Mal de Debarquement Syndrome: A rare condition that causes persistent dizziness and imbalance after a person has been on a boat or other moving vehicle.