Vertigo Treatment: Causes, Symptoms, and Medical Options

Have you ever felt like the room is spinning, even when you’re standing or sitting still? That strange feeling is called vertigo, and it can make it really hard to walk, stand straight, or focus. But here’s something important to know—vertigo is not a disease, it’s actually a symptom. That means it’s your body’s way of telling you that something might be wrong, usually in your inner ear or brain, which are the parts that help you keep your balance.

A lot of people confuse vertigo with dizziness or imbalance, but they’re not exactly the same. Vertigo feels like you or everything around you is spinning, even though nothing’s moving. Dizziness is more like feeling lightheaded or about to faint. Imbalance is when you feel wobbly or like you might fall over, especially when you try to walk. All of these can be signs that your balance system isn’t working the way it should.

Know More About Vertigo

• What is Vertigo? Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
• Beware of Falls: The Importance of Fall Prevention in Elderly
• Top 3 Essential Vertigo Tests: How to Identify and Manage Balance Disorders

Common Causes of Vertigo

Here are some of the most common causes:

• Meniere’s Disease happens when too much fluid builds up in part of your inner ear. This can make you feel dizzy, lose some hearing, and hear a ringing sound in your ears (called tinnitus). If it’s not treated, it can slowly damage your hearing.
  
• Vestibular Neuritis is when a nerve in your inner ear gets swollen because of a viral infection.It can cause sudden dizziness, nausea, and blurry vision, especially when you move your head. Starting balance exercises early can help you feel better faster.
  
• Otolithic Disorders affect tiny parts inside your ear called otolith organs. They help you know which way is up or down. If they’re damaged, you might feel off-balance or have shaky vision. Doctors use special tests and exercises to help with this.
  
• Vestibular Migraine is a type of migraine where instead of just a headache, you also feel dizzy or like the room is spinning. You might also feel sick with motion, or be sensitive to lights and sounds. Doctors treat it with lifestyle changes and on a case specific basis.
  
• BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is one of the most common types of vertigo. It happens when tiny crystals in your ear move into the wrong place and trick your brain into thinking you’re moving when you’re not. It’s more common in older adults but can happen after an ear infection or head injury. Simple head movements, like the Epley treatment  maneuver, can usually fix it. The appropriate treatment for BPPV involves specific repositioning maneuvers—such as Epley’s, Semont’s, Barbeque, Zuma, or Gufoni—chosen based on the affected semicircular canal where the displaced crystal (otolith) is located.
  
• Labyrinthitis is an infection in your inner ear that affects both balance and hearing. It can cause strong dizziness, hearing loss, and ringing in your ears. Medicine helps, but doing balance therapy early on also makes a big difference.
  
• Perilymph Fistula is when a small tear in the ear causes fluid to leak out. This can throw off your balance and cause hearing problems. It might happen after lifting something heavy or sneezing really hard. Doctors might suggest surgery or changes in activity to fix it.
  
• Vestibular Paroxysmia is when a blood vessel presses on a balance nerve, causing short bursts of dizziness many times a day. An MRI scan can help doctors find it, and treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are.
  
• SSCD (Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence) is a rare condition where a bone in your inner ear is too thin or damaged. Loud sounds or sneezing can cause dizziness. It’s usually found through special tests, and surgery might be needed.
  
• Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is when your brain still feels like it’s moving even after you’ve gotten off a boat or plane. You might feel like you’re swaying even though you’re standing still. It can also happen without travel. Treatment might include balance therapy, medication, or even virtual reality training.
  
• Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma) is a slow-growing, non-cancerous tumor on the balance nerve. It can cause dizziness, hearing loss, and even tingling on your face. If it gets too big, it may need to be treated with surgery or radiation.
  
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease where your immune system attacks the protective covering of your nerves. This messes with signals between your brain and body. It can cause dizziness, balance problems, and vision issues. There’s no cure, but treatment helps manage the symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

When you experience vertigo, it’s not just a regular feeling of dizziness. It can be a bit more intense and can affect your balance and everyday activities. Here are some common symptoms that people with vertigo might feel:

Spinning – It can feel like you or the room is spinning in circles, even though you’re actually standing still.

Dizziness – This is a lightheaded or woozy feeling, like you might faint or lose your balance.

Headaches – Sometimes, vertigo comes with headaches, which may make you feel pressure or pain in your head. This can also be tied to vision problems.

Imbalance – You might feel unsteady, like you’re going to tip over or fall while standing or walking.

Falling – Vertigo can cause sudden loss of balance, making it easy to trip or collapse unexpectedly.

Swaying – It may feel like you’re rocking back and forth, like being on a boat, or as if the ground is shifting beneath your feet.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor, as they can help figure out what’s causing the vertigo and guide you on the best treatment. Reach out to your nearest NeuroEquilibrium Centre today to get help.

How Doctors Check Vertigo (Chakkar ka Test aur Diagnosis Kaise Hota Hai)

If you feel like the room is spinning or you’re unsteady often, it could be vertigo. To figure out why this is happening, doctors use different tests. These tests help them understand what’s causing your dizziness and how to treat it.

What Doctors Do

When you visit a doctor for vertigo, they’ll first check thorough history and ask you questions about what you’re feeling. They might want to know when the dizziness started, how it feels, and if anything makes it worse. This helps them understand what might be causing your symptoms.

After that, the doctor will do some tests known as Vertigo Profile Test to check your balance and inner ear. They might ask you to move your head or eyes in certain ways to see how your body responds. These tests help the doctor figure out whether the problem is with your inner ear, nerves, or brain.

Who Should You See?

If you have vertigo, the best doctor to visit is a neurotologist. This doctor specializes in balance and ear problems. They are experts in understanding dizziness and can run tests to find out exactly what’s causing your vertigo. After the tests, they’ll explain what’s going on and suggest the best treatment to help you feel better.

In some cases, the doctor might also suggest balance therapy or other treatments to help improve your symptoms. The goal is to help you feel steady again and stop the spinning feeling.

When Should You See a Doctor Right Away?

Sometimes, vertigo can be a sign of something more serious, so it’s important to know when to see a doctor right away. If your dizziness comes on suddenly and feels very strong, or if you experience other symptoms like slurred speech, weakness in your arms or legs, or trouble walking, it’s important to seek medical help immediately. You should also get medical attention if you notice blurred or double vision, sudden hearing loss, or ringing in your ear. Fainting or feeling like you’re going to faint is another sign that requires urgent care. These symptoms could indicate a serious problem, like a stroke or another issue with your brain or nervous system, and they need quick medical attention.

Common Tests to Find the Cause of Vertigo

Doctors may use different tests to check your balance system and eye movements. These help them know what part of your body is causing the issue.

• Dix-Hallpike Test – A simple test where the doctor gently moves your head to see if it triggers spinning or unusual eye movement.
  
• VNG (Videonystagmography) – A test that watches how your eyes move when your head moves, which helps track balance issues.
  
• SVV (Subjective Visual Vertical) – Checks if you can correctly tell what is upright, which shows how your inner ear is working.
  
• DVA (Dynamic Visual Acuity) – Tests if your vision stays clear when your head is moving.
  
• VEMP Test – Checks how your ears react to sound, which is linked to balance.
  
• CCG (Craniocorpography) – Looks at how your body moves when you’re standing or walking.
• Audiometry – A hearing test, since ear problems can sometimes cause dizziness.
  
• MRI or CT Scan – These are detailed images of your brain or inner ear, used when doctors need a closer look.

Vertigo Treatment

For some types of vertigo, like BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), special head movements like the Epley or Semont Maneuver are used. These exercises help move crystals in your inner ear back to their correct position, and they can immediately help reduce dizziness. NeuroEquilibrium uses special diagnostic tools to make sure BPPV is correctly diagnosed and treated.

For people with Meniere’s Disease, which causes fluid to build up in the inner ear and leads to hearing loss and dizziness, diuretics (water pills) are used to help remove excess fluid. A low-salt diet also helps control fluid levels. If the condition gets worse, doctors might recommend steroid injections or gentamicin treatment, and sometimes surgery. At NeuroEquilibrium,we use precise testing to diagnose Meniere’s Disease and offer treatment options that work best for each person.

If you have Vestibular Neuritis, which is inflammation of the balance nerve, corticosteroids are used to fight the inflammation. NeuroEquilibrium also offers VR Therapy (Virtual Reality Therapy), which helps retrain your body and brain to handle dizziness and improve balance over time.

For temporary relief from dizziness, medications like Meclizine or Betahistine might be prescribed. However, these are generally used only for short periods while other treatments start to work.

The most effective long-term solution for most people with vertigo is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT). At NeuroEquilibrium, we personalize this therapy—both in-clinic and through online counselling, to help retrain your brain and body, enabling you to manage dizziness and improve your balance.

Home Remedies for Vertigo

If you’re dealing with vertigo at home, there are a few things you can do to help reduce symptoms. However, it’s always best to consult a doctor before trying any of these remedies.

• Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water helps your body stay balanced and prevents dizziness caused by dehydration. Make sure you’re drinking water regularly throughout the day.
  
• Avoid sudden head movements: Moving your head too quickly can make vertigo worse. Try to move your head slowly and carefully, especially when getting up or turning your head.
  
• Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can make dizziness worse, so aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If vertigo is affecting your sleep, talk to a professional for advice.
  
• Manage stress: Stress can make vertigo worse. Try using relaxation techniques like deep breathing or listening to music to help you calm down. If stress is causing frequent vertigo, consider consulting a specialist.
  
• Avoid triggers: Some people find that caffeine or alcohol makes their vertigo worse. Keep track of how these substances affect you and reduce their consumption if needed. Always talk to your doctor before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.
  

Conclusion

The effectiveness of vertigo management largely depends on selecting the right treatment based on the root cause. Vertigo can appear as a one-time occurrence or as recurring episodes, and proper care, combined with early diagnosis, can help improve symptoms and prevent chronic complications. If vertigo persists over time, it’s essential to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.

At NeuroEquilibrium, you’ll receive expert care from specialists equipped with the latest technology to provide effective solutions. If you’re struggling with dizziness or balance issues, don’t wait—consult a specialist today to begin your path to recovery.

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