T/SDASTC 006-2023 Guidelines for the Primary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vertigo with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

Scope

Scope: This document provides guidance and recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of vertigo based on the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine at the primary care level, including the differentiation of vestibular and non-vestibular vertigo, vertigo classification and diagnosis, TCM syndrome differentiation, treatment, and rehabilitation care. This document is applicable to primary care physicians engaged in clinical TCM practice. Main technical content: Primary care physicians often lack sufficient knowledge about standardized diagnosis and treatment of vertigo and recent research advances, leading to frequent misdiagnosis and overtreatment. Vertigo involves multiple systems and disciplines such as neurology, otolaryngology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and cardiology, with complex classification and challenging diagnosis. Primary care physicians often face confusion regarding vertigo classification and concepts, often attributing vertigo to cervical spondylosis, lacunar cerebral infarction, Meniere's disease, etc., or even failing to recognize malignant vertigo. Treatment errors include misuse of antihistamines and overtreatment of lacunar cerebral infarction, as well as insufficient application of TCM therapies, resulting in delayed recovery of vestibular function and persistent vertigo symptoms. TCM treatment of vertigo has profound accumulation and significant efficacy. Integrated TCM-Western medicine treatment helps rapidly alleviate vertigo symptoms and prevent recurrence. Moreover, TCM-specific therapies enjoy high public acceptance. Combining the two approaches can address both symptoms and root causes. Developing an easy-to-understand and actionable guideline for vertigo diagnosis and treatment based on the integration of TCM and Western medicine will help improve primary care vertigo diagnosis and treatment levels and better leverage the advantages of TCM.

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