Differential Diagnosis for Dizziness Turning Head to the Side
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This condition is characterized by brief, intense episodes of vertigo triggered by specific head movements, such as turning the head to the side. It is the most common cause of vertigo and has a strong association with the described symptom.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Cervicogenic Dizziness: This refers to dizziness that originates from the cervical spine. Turning the head can exacerbate or trigger this type of dizziness due to mechanical or proprioceptive issues in the neck.
- Vestibular Migraine: Although not exclusively triggered by head movements, vestibular migraines can cause vertigo and dizziness. Some patients may experience worsening symptoms with certain head positions or movements.
- Labyrinthitis: An inner ear disorder that can cause dizziness and vertigo. While not specifically triggered by head turning, the symptom can be exacerbated by movement.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Vertebral Artery Dissection: A serious condition where the inner layer of the vertebral artery tears, potentially leading to a stroke. Dizziness upon turning the head can be a symptom, especially if the dissection affects blood flow to the brainstem or cerebellum.
- Posterior Circulation Stroke: Strokes in the posterior circulation can present with vertigo, among other symptoms. The onset of dizziness with specific head movements could be an atypical presentation.
- Multiple Sclerosis: In rare cases, multiple sclerosis can present with vertigo or dizziness triggered by specific movements, including head turning, due to central nervous system demyelination.
Rare Diagnoses
- Meniere's Disease: An inner ear disorder that usually presents with a combination of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness. While vertigo is a key feature, it's less commonly triggered specifically by turning the head to the side.
- Ototoxicity: Certain medications or substances can damage the inner ear, leading to vertigo and dizziness. The symptoms might not be directly related to head movements but could be exacerbated by them.
- Chiari Malformation: A structural defect in the cerebellum that can cause a range of symptoms, including dizziness. The dizziness might worsen with certain head positions or movements due to compression of the cerebellum or brainstem.