[Diagnostic problems in dizziness or vertigo (author's transl)].

Different causes of dizziness or vertigo can only be recognized by thorough anamnestic explorations. Following a classification in vestibular and nonvestibular causes for vertigo, a further differentiation is possible by defining different characteristic qualities of the symptoms involved. In addition to the classical vestibular forms of vertigo seen, dizziness currently results from drug overdosages, hypertension, polyneuropathy and--less commonly, but equally important--brief epileptic seizures. Psychosomatic and neurotic symptoms may also lead to unsteady gait, dizziness or vertigo, all of which are distinguished only with difficulty by the patient.