Dizziness is a common symptom in the elderly characterized by a distorted sense of spatial orientation. Vertigo, a related symptom, includes the illusion of self-motion. Dizziness (spatial disorientation without an illusion of self-motion) occurs when distorted input to the vestibular system is relatively symmetrical, while vertigo often occurs when the input is relatively asymmetrical. Patients may use terms such as lightheaded, woozy, off-balance, or spinning to describe dizziness or vertigo. Characterizing the experience (e.g., “What do you mean by dizziness?”) is not specific enough to identify the cause. More important is determining the timing, triggers, and associated findings of the experience. ‘Timing’ refers to the continuity and duration of symptoms, with three categories: episodic vestibular syndrome (EVS)—brief, intermittent episodes lasting seconds to hours; acute vestibular syndrome (AVS)—continuous symptoms for days to weeks; and chronic vestibular syndrome (CVS) persisting for months to years. ‘Triggers’ are actions that initiate dizziness (e.g., specific head movements, standing posture, or exercise).