Abstract
The relationship between dizzy patients and stress is well documented, but that between dizzy patients and sleep disturbance is unclear. This study focused on sleep disturbance in dizzy patients through investigations into their hypnotic medications. Six hundred and twenty two patients were studied, who complained of dizziness and visited Nagoya City University from January 1 to December 31, 2007. The major hypnotic was the benzodiazepine group (65%), and was prescribed to 226 patients (36%). Although prescription of hypnotics tended to increase with the age of the subjects, it was even prescribed often in young adults. The approximate ratio of patients taking hypnotics to those who were suffering from insomnia and without dizziness was 2:1. Poor quality of sleep may cause additional stress, leading to a vicious cycle in patients suffering from dizziness.
