Dizziness and Imbalance in Primary Care course for GPs

This session should explain the mechanisms underlying dizziness, vertigo and imbalance. The symptoms and signs associated with these common disorders together with their management will be outlined.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the mechanisms of dizziness/vertigo
• Recognise the common symptoms and signs demonstrated by the patient with a balance disorder
• Identify red flags for urgent referral
• Set up an initial management strategy

Patients may report one or any combination of the symptoms and use the terms vertigo and dizziness interchangeably. They may also use a range of synonyms including light-headedness, giddiness, swimminess, heavy headed, muzzy headed and may link any of these symptoms with unsteadiness or imbalance, often with a sense of depersonalisation.