What causes vertigo and dizziness?
Vertigo is a spinning sensation, most often caused by a problem in the balance organ of the inner ear, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), where short bursts of spinning follow a change in head position. Light-headedness is more often linked to blood pressure, dehydration, blood sugar, anaemia or medicines, and unsteadiness can come from the nerves, spine, brain or eyesight. Less commonly, dizziness is caused by a stroke, so sudden dizziness with other new symptoms needs urgent care.
Vertigo & Dizziness at Curewell Speciality Clinic: at a glance
- Who you will see
- Dr. Mailan K (MBBS, DNB (Neuro), DPM, MHA, FICP)
- Tests that may be used
- Bedside balance and eye-movement tests, blood pressure lying and standing, and a hearing test or scan if needed
- Treatment approach
- Repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV, balance exercises, a review of current medicines, and migraine treatment where relevant
- When it is an emergency
- Sudden dizziness with slurred speech, double vision, face drooping, weakness or inability to walk: call 108 or 112.
- Where and when
- #125, MM Road, Frazer Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560005. Open Mon–Sat 10 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Walk-ins welcome; call or WhatsApp 74066 57632.
Vertigo is most often caused by a problem in the balance organ of the inner ear. A common example is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), where short bursts of spinning are brought on by turning in bed, lying down or looking up. Light-headedness is more often linked to blood pressure, dehydration, blood sugar, anaemia or medicines. Unsteadiness can come from nerve, spine, brain or eyesight problems.
Less commonly, dizziness is caused by a problem in the brain itself, such as a stroke affecting the balance centre. That is why sudden dizziness with other new symptoms always needs urgent attention.
What are the symptoms of vertigo and dizziness?
- A spinning sensation, made worse by moving the head or turning in bed
- Feeling light-headed or faint, especially on standing up
- Unsteadiness or veering to one side when walking
- Nausea or vomiting with the dizziness
- Ringing in the ear, a blocked ear or reduced hearing
- Dizziness that comes in attacks lasting seconds, minutes or hours
One of these alone doesn't mean you have this condition; most symptoms have more than one cause. Not sure? When to see a neurologist
Emergency
Dizziness can be a sign of stroke.
- Sudden dizziness or imbalance with slurred speech, double vision, face drooping, or weakness or numbness of an arm or leg.
- Sudden inability to stand or walk, or a sudden severe headache with dizziness.
- Fainting with chest pain, palpitations or breathlessness.
Call 108 or 112 and go to the nearest hospital now.
How does Dr. Mailan K assess and treat vertigo and dizziness?
Four steps, at Curewell Speciality Clinic, #125 MM Road, Frazer Town.
Step 1: Assessment
Dr. Mailan K asks exactly what the dizziness feels like, how long attacks last, what brings them on and what comes with them. Blood pressure is checked lying and standing, and the eyes, ears, balance, walking and nervous system are examined.
Step 2: Diagnosis
Simple bedside tests in the clinic can often identify inner-ear causes such as BPPV. Blood tests, a hearing test, a heart check or a brain scan are advised when the history or examination suggests they are needed.
Step 3: Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. BPPV can often be treated with a repositioning manoeuvre — a series of guided head movements. Balance exercises, adjustments to existing medicines, treatment of migraine-related dizziness, and short courses of medicine for severe symptoms may be advised.
Step 4: Follow-up
Follow-up checks that symptoms are settling and that the cause has been correctly addressed. Long-term use of anti-dizziness tablets is generally avoided, because it can slow the brain's natural recovery of balance.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- A description of exactly what the dizziness feels like and how long it lasts
- All current medicines, including blood pressure and sleep tablets
- Any hearing test, ENT or scan reports
- Blood pressure and sugar readings, if you check them at home
Questions about Vertigo & Dizziness
Should I see a neurologist or an ENT doctor for vertigo?
Either can be the right first step. A neurologist is especially useful when dizziness comes with headaches, numbness, weakness, unsteadiness or other nervous-system symptoms, or when the cause is unclear.
What is BPPV?
BPPV is a common inner-ear cause of short spinning episodes triggered by head movement. It often responds to a simple repositioning manoeuvre.
Can migraine cause dizziness?
Yes. Vestibular migraine can cause episodes of vertigo or imbalance, sometimes with little or no headache. It is treated in a similar way to migraine.
When is dizziness an emergency?
When it comes suddenly with slurred speech, double vision, face drooping, weakness, numbness, a severe headache, or an inability to walk. Call 108 or 112 and go to a hospital immediately.
Book a consultation with Dr. Mailan K
#125 MM Road, Frazer Town. Open Mon–Sat 10 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Walk-ins welcome.
