Evaluation of giddiness: a peripheral hospital experience

Background: Giddiness remains one of the most common reasons to consult an ENT specialist. There are multiple causes for giddiness, both peripheral and central. It takes a careful, dedicated and committed history taking as well as examination to establish the cause for giddiness. Vascular effects of metabolic diseases can prepone the onset of vestibular symptoms. This study was undertaken to see the proportions of different types of giddiness among patients who presented with dizziness. Methods: A descriptive study was done in the ENT Outpatient settings for all the patients who presented with dizziness and/or vertigo. Careful history elicitation and examination was done to establish the cause. Results: There was a female preponderance with female to male ratio 13:7. Giddiness due to non-peripheral causes were seen in 150 (69%) and peripheral and migrainous vertigo accounted for dizziness in 33 (15.2%) and 34 (15.7%) patients. Diabetes mellitus was seen in 143 (65.8%) patients. Conclusions: Comprehensive examination and assessment of patients is required for reasonable evaluation of vertigo. Though vestibular causes are important, it is essential to have a broad understanding of the various causes of vertigo so that serious and life threatening non peripheral causes is not missed out. Growing geriatric population, increasing lifestyle diseases and iatrogenic causes should be kept in mind while evaluation protocols of vertigo are standardized through the country.