Table 2.

Dizziness Characteristics of 417 Dizzy Elderly Patients in Primary Care

Characteristic	No.	%
^a Adds up to more than 100%, because more than 1 answer is possible.
Description^a
Instability or unsteadiness	287	69
Loss of balance	280	67
Light-headedness	248	59
Rotational sensation	228	55
Tendency to fall	226	54
Giddy	176	42
Environment spinning	137	33
Becoming unwell	115	28
Near faint	97	23
Everything turning black	68	16
Other dizziness	83	20
Onset
2–4 wk	30	7
1–6 mo	98	24
6–24 mo	110	26
2–10 y	120	29
>10 y	59	14
Duration of symptoms
<10 sec	110	26
10–60 sec	78	19
Several minutes	71	17
Several minutes to 1 h	22	5
>1 h	35	8
Constant when present	26	6
Combination of above possibilities	75	18
Frequency
Continuous	42	10
Daily	195	47
Weekly	105	25
Monthly	50	12
Annually	25	6
Provoking circumstances^a
Getting up from a lying or sitting position	292	70
Bending forward	258	62
Turning head	223	53
Looking up	210	50
Exercise	140	34
Standing still	99	24
Strong emotions	82	20
Other	109	26
None	17	4
Associated symptoms^a
Falling/almost falling	207	50
Trouble with walking	184	44
Nausea	112	27
Sweaty, pale, or clammy	91	22
Fear	82	20
Dyspnea	48	12
Tinnitus	42	10
Palpitations	41	10
Chest pain	28	7
Diplopia	27	6
Hearing problems	24	6
Trouble with speaking or swallowing	12	3
Other	57	14
None	110	26
Chest pain	28	7