The priorities of elderly patients suffering from dizziness: A qualitative study

Figures & data

Table I. Aetiology of dizziness according to patients representing their ideas relating its causes in non-medical terms. Some of the ideas can instead be considered as contributing or related factors.

Physical	Cardiovascular: blood pressure (hypertension, hypotension), variability of pulse, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, ‘circulation’ Head/brain: stroke, blood circulation, vascular compression, forgetfulness, ‘susceptible brain currents’ Senses: ear, acute hearing loss, tinnitus, sensitive equilibrium organ, eyes, ‘reaction of the nerves’ Mechanical: otoliths, preceding fall Musculoskeletal: back, vertebral column, cervical spine, neck pain, ‘last vertebra’, sacroiliac joint, pelvis, hip, ‘special case’ hip dysplasia, antecedent rachitis, hardening of muscles, “combination” pelvic/ vertebral column/ neck/ jaw
Emotional	Anxiety, strain/nervousness, anger, overwork, care provider for a relative, illness of relative, death of partner, loneliness
General conditions	Influence flu, weather/climate
Predisposition
Age	Menopause
Side effects of medication	Too high dosage (low blood pressure), too many drugs (low blood pressure)
Other	Multicausal, changing, cause determined on the basis of appropriate treatment, different types of dizziness, differentiation dizziness/balance disorder, confuse fainting/dizziness, dizziness as secondary phenomenon, dizziness as red flag for ‘dangerous’, dizziness/vertigo not dangerous