What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo isn’t a disease but a symptom—a false sensation of motion, spinning, or imbalance. This feeling often worsens with head movements and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, difficulty focusing, or blurry vision.

Who Experiences Vertigo?

Up to 15% of people may suffer from balance and dizziness issues. Vertigo episodes can last from a few seconds to hours or even days, depending on the underlying cause.

Common Causes of Vertigo

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear shift, creating brief spinning episodes, especially with head movement. Diagnosis is done through positional tests like the Dix–Hallpike and treated with maneuvers such as the Epley.
   
   2. Meniere’s Disease: Caused by increased fluid pressure in the inner ear. Leads to spinning, hearing loss, ringing, and ear fullness. If untreated, it may progress to permanent hearing impairment.
   
   3. Vestibular Neuritis & Labyrinthitis: Viral infections that inflame the inner ear’s balance nerve—or both balance and hearing nerves (in labyrinthitis)—leading to severe vertigo with nausea and imbalance. Treatment includes brief vestibular suppressants and early vestibular rehabilitation.
   
   4. Vestibular Migraine: Dizziness often accompanies migraines and may include light/sound sensitivity or motion sickness. Management involves lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and preventive migraine medication.
   
   5. Less Common Causes: Includes perilymph fistula, vestibular paroxysmia, semicircular canal dehiscence, MdDS, acoustic neuroma, and central nervous system causes such as multiple sclerosis.

Diagnosis at Klear Hearing & Balance Centre

Vertigo requires a thorough evaluation to identify the root cause. At Klear Hearing & Balance Centre, we use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques such as:

– Videonystagmography (VNG)
– Canalith repositioning tests (e.g., Dix–Hallpike)
– Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV)
– Craniocorpography (CCG), Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA)
– Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)

These assessments help detect abnormal eye movements (nystagmus), pinpoint the affected ear or neural pathway, and identify whether the issue is peripheral or central.

Treatment Options

1. Repositioning Maneuvers: Effective for BPPV, including Epley, Semont, and barbecue maneuvers.
   
   2. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): Personalized exercise programs to improve balance, reduce dizziness, and stabilize vision.
   
   3. Medication (Short-Term): Vestibular suppressants or anti-nausea drugs like meclizine or dimenhydrinate for temporary relief. Long-term use is not recommended.
   
   4. Advanced Interventions: For persistent or rare cases (e.g., Meniere’s, acoustic neuroma), options may include intratympanic injections, surgical repair, or pharmacological management.

Why Choose Klear?

Vertigo is treatable when the underlying cause is accurately diagnosed. Our specialist audiologists and ENT experts create tailored treatment plans based on precise vestibular testing. We combine modern diagnostic tools with customized VRT and selective medication to bring long-lasting relief.