“I’m dizzy”: How to help a patient with dizziness effectively and quickly

One of the most common reasons for seeking medical help from doctors of various specialties is a disturbance of balance function, described by patients as dizziness. Despite the apparent simplicity and unambiguity of the complaint, it turns out that under this term patients mean completely different conditions: instability, unsteadiness when walking, swaying, nausea, pre-fainting condition, “fog in the head”, impaired coordination, etc. Often, the patient not only finds it difficult to independently describe his feelings, but also simultaneously lists several descriptors. It is not always possible to specify the patient’s desires, which complicates the diagnosis of dizziness and the establishment of the etiological factor. In connection with the above, an algorithm is currently used in the diagnosis of dizziness, which includes an assessment of the vestibular syndrome by the nature of the course (acute, episodic, chronic), identification of provoking factors (triggers), concomitant symptoms, supplemented by a physical examination, and, if necessary, paraclinical methods. In the treatment of dizziness, priority is given to its rapid and effective relief. For this purpose, drugs are used – vestibular suppressants. Given the high prevalence of comorbid conditions requiring the simultaneous use of several drugs, combination drugs have an advantage. A combination of cinnarizine and dimenhydrinate has demonstrated high efficiency and safety as a symptomatic therapy for dizziness of various origins. The combination of drug therapy with vestibular rehabilitation methods allows achieving better results and longer remission even in chronic cases of dizziness.