
Contents
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Introduction Introduction
-
Definitions Definitions
-
General diagnostic considerations General diagnostic considerations
-
Epidemiology and diagnostic approach Epidemiology and diagnostic approach
-
Principles of bedside history and examination Principles of bedside history and examination
-
-
TLOC with or without dizziness/vertigo TLOC with or without dizziness/vertigo
-
Syncope (‘faints’) Syncope (‘faints’)
-
Reflex syncope Reflex syncope
-
Orthostatic syncope (hypovolaemia, medications, and autonomic failure) Orthostatic syncope (hypovolaemia, medications, and autonomic failure)
-
Cardiac syncope Cardiac syncope
-
-
Seizures (‘fits’) Seizures (‘fits’)
-
Fit or faint? Fit or faint?
-
Mimics of TLOC: Pseudo-syncope and pseudo-seizure Mimics of TLOC: Pseudo-syncope and pseudo-seizure
-
Other causes of TLOC Other causes of TLOC
-
-
-
Transient dizziness or vertigo without loss of consciousness Transient dizziness or vertigo without loss of consciousness
-
Vascular causes of transient dizziness or vertigo without TLOC Vascular causes of transient dizziness or vertigo without TLOC
-
Nonvascular causes of transient dizziness or vertigo without TLOC Nonvascular causes of transient dizziness or vertigo without TLOC
-
-
Unexplained falls Unexplained falls
-
Vascular causes of apparently unexplained falls Vascular causes of apparently unexplained falls
-
Common nonvascular causes of apparently unexplained falls Common nonvascular causes of apparently unexplained falls
-
Rare nonvascular causes of apparently unexplained falls Rare nonvascular causes of apparently unexplained falls
-
-
Laboratory-based diagnostic testing and referrals Laboratory-based diagnostic testing and referrals
-
Vestibular evaluation Vestibular evaluation
-
Cardiac evaluation Cardiac evaluation
-
Neurological evaluation: Stroke Neurological evaluation: Stroke
-
Neurological evaluation: Seizure Neurological evaluation: Seizure
-
Neurological evaluation: Movement or degenerative disorders Neurological evaluation: Movement or degenerative disorders
-
-
Special issues Special issues
-
Demographic and referral pattern variations Demographic and referral pattern variations
-
Driving with fits, faints, falls, and funny turns Driving with fits, faints, falls, and funny turns
-
Fall precautions Fall precautions
-
-
References References
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
27 Fits, faints, funny turns, and falls in the differential diagnosis of the dizzy patient
Get access-
Published:March 2025
Cite
Abstract
The differential diagnosis of both unexplained falls and transient loss of consciousness is broad and expands over many specialties, making the diagnostic workup challenging for the clinician. In this chapter we discuss the diagnostic approach to both entities and potential underlying diseases. While frequent causes such as syncope and seizures are covered extensively, we also address less frequent causes including cataplexy or transient ischaemic attack. Transient vertigo or dizziness may trigger or accompany falls or transient loss of consciousness or may emerge independently. Both vestibular and extravestibular causes will be discussed. At the end of the chapter, special sections on driving and laboratory-based testing are provided.
Sign in
Personal account
- Sign in with email/username & password
- Get email alerts
- Save searches
- Purchase content
- Activate your purchase/trial code
- Add your ORCID iD
Purchase
Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.
Purchasing informationMonth: | Total Views: |
---|---|
March 2025 | 3 |
April 2025 | 2 |
Get help with access
Institutional access
Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:
IP based access
Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.
Sign in through your institution
Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.
If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.
Sign in with a library card
Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.
Society Members
Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:
Sign in through society site
Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:
If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.
Sign in using a personal account
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.
Personal account
A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.
Viewing your signed in accounts
Click the account icon in the top right to:
Signed in but can't access content
Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.
Institutional account management
For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.