00:01
In this talk, we're going to review
nonspecific dizziness.
00:04
This is that fourth category
of dizziness,
and really should be on
the differential diagnosis
for most patients presenting
with a symptom of dizziness.
00:14
When I think about this
nonspecific category,
I think about four common causes
of nonspecific dizziness.
00:20
Hypo- and hyperglycemia,
and sometimes other
electrolyte disturbances.
00:25
Panic attack or anxiety,
hyperventilation can cause this
nonspecific feeling of dizziness,
and medications,
which is one of the most
important causes of this symptom.
00:37
So what's our approach?
How do we work these patients up?
Well, if we're worried about
hypo- or hyperglycemia,
we need to check a blood sugar
and sometimes other electrolytes
like sodium, potassium or others.
00:49
We want to screen for anxiety.
00:51
Patients who are
having other symptoms,
hot flushed,
or other symptoms of anxiety,
we'll want to think about
whether dizziness may be a symptom
of that condition.
01:00
And then most importantly,
we should review the medication list
for these patients.
01:04
We want to think about
common offending medications
like anticonvulsants.
01:09
Phenytoin, carbamazepine,
lacosamide and others.
01:12
As well as
antidepressants, antipsychotics,
anxiolytics, and others.
01:17
And this is a good time
just to sit down
and review the medication list
for the patient
and see whether
any of those medications
could be contributing to the
patient's symptoms of dizziness.