Differential Diagnosis for Room Spinning with Walking or Turning Head
- 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 or walking. It is the most common cause of vertigo and matches the symptoms described.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Vestibular Migraine - A condition that involves vertigo, often triggered by movement or position changes, and can be accompanied by migraine headaches. The symptoms can vary widely among individuals.
- Labyrinthitis - An inner ear disorder characterized by inflammation of the labyrinth, which can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It often follows a viral infection.
- Meniere's Disease - A disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The episodes can be triggered by movement.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - Although less common, vertigo can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological deficits. It is crucial to rule out these conditions due to their severe consequences.
- Posterior Circulation Infarct - A type of stroke that affects the back of the brain, which can cause vertigo among other symptoms.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Acoustic Neuroma - A non-cancerous tumor on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, which can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
- Multiple Sclerosis - An autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the brain and spinal cord, leading to a wide range of symptoms, including vertigo.
- Otosclerosis - A condition in which there is abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, which can cause hearing loss and vertigo.